Viking Squad

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 134 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Viking Squad Game Cover
Viking Squad is one of those games that's both fun and challenging to play, doing beat 'em ups justice all the while. While it does stumble on how it treats upgrades, it still manages to shine.
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In Viking Squad, play as a fierce Viking warrior in a side-scrolling, beat 'em up game. Battle through various levels filled with mythical creatures, completing quests and collecting loot. Fight alongside your friends in local co-op mode for up to 3 players, or go solo in this epic adventure to save your kingdom.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 134 reviews
gameplay6 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • Viking Squad offers a fun and engaging co-op experience, reminiscent of Castle Crashers, making it great for playing with friends or family.
  • The game features a colorful art style and enjoyable music, enhancing the overall atmosphere and making it visually appealing.
  • The lane-based combat system simplifies positioning and attack mechanics, allowing for a more strategic approach to battles.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in just a few hours, leading to concerns about replayability.
  • Combat can feel repetitive due to limited enemy variety and recycled boss mechanics, which may diminish the overall excitement.
  • The game lacks robust single-player content, making it less enjoyable for those who prefer to play alone rather than in co-op.
  • gameplay33 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a mix of simple combat mechanics, a strong loot system, and a grind-heavy progression model that encourages players to collect gear and upgrade their characters. While the art style and animations are praised, many reviewers noted repetitive boss mechanics and a lack of significant gameplay evolution as players progress. Overall, the game offers a fun, albeit familiar, experience reminiscent of classic beat 'em ups, with some strategic elements introduced through lane-based mechanics.

    • “Excellent loot system, fun combat mechanics, and a little bit of humor thrown in as well.”
    • “Just a refreshing take on the beat 'em up genre with new ideas, but solid arcade gameplay.”
    • “Great gameplay, smooth combat, beautiful drawn graphics, amazing soundtrack, just a great overall game!”
    • “However, the gameplay repeats a lot.”
    • “The grinding to level your character up is the same mechanic to level up weapons and gear.”
    • “But oh boy was I wrong, the more you play the less the game unlocks anything significant or gameplay changing; it just repeats everything, upgrading your character doesn't change your moveset or expand it anymore, and the game is full of recycled encounters.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant art style and smooth animations, often compared to a "cutesy-chibi" aesthetic with a comic book feel. Players appreciate the consistent updates from developers aimed at enhancing the visual experience, making the game visually appealing and immersive. Overall, the artwork and presentation are considered standout features, contributing significantly to the game's charm.

    • “The graphics are very well done, and the devs are always looking to make the game better and communicate with the players.”
    • “Lead artist Jesse 'the Drawbarian' Turner gives you amazing aesthetics similar to the 'cutesy-chibi' art style of The Behemoth's Dan Paladin, but with more of a comic book feel.”
    • “This title is worth the price of admission on visuals alone...”
    • “On the pro side: the art style and music are okay (but the overusage of chromatic aberration is frustrating) and bugs are relatively few.”
    • “Castle Crashers was first made in 2008, and the graphics are mostly well-performed animations.”
    • “Graphics.”
  • music15 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed response from players, with many praising its folk-rock soundtrack for enhancing the overall experience and complementing the vibrant art style. While some found the music enjoyable and fitting for the game's theme, others criticized it as dull or grating, indicating a divide in player preferences. Overall, the soundtrack is generally seen as a positive aspect that contributes to the game's charm, despite some dissenting opinions.

    • “The art, sound, music, and gameplay are all awesome.”
    • “Viking Squad is a great game to introduce people to beat 'em up games with colorful art direction, great cartoon Viking theme, and a folk-rock soundtrack that makes replaying the game a good time.”
    • “Everything from the soundtrack to the taunts you can lay down feel very appropriate to the theme, the controls are incredibly tight and handle exactly like you'd expect, but there are a few bits of polish gone into this game that most brawlers overlook.”
    • “Music was extremely grating, too.”
    • “The music is dull, the combat seemed only shades deeper than other beat 'em ups, and I was only in it because it had online co-op.”
    • “On the pro side: the art style and music are okay (but the overusage of chromatic aberration is frustrating) and bugs are relatively few.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game offers solid replayability due to its RPG elements, character building, and varied stages with alternate routes. However, some players feel that the limited number of playable characters reduces its artificial replay value compared to similar titles. Despite this, the cooperative gameplay and achievement challenges contribute to a fun experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “It's fun and has a lot of replayability.”
    • “There is a lot of replay value because of the RPG elements and character building.”
    • “So it's a pretty fun sidescrolling beat 'em up, but it doesn't have as much artificial replayability as Castle Crashers.”
    • “Packing a colorful campaign across a series of varied stages - complete with alternate routes that add a lot of replay value - this is a well-made arcade brawler that's especially fun with friends.”
    • “Hope to see more playable characters in the future!”
  • story6 mentions

    The game's story is minimal and simplistic, revolving around choosing a Viking character to plunder treasure, with no significant narrative depth. While the gameplay is enjoyable, especially in cooperative mode, the overall plot is short and lacks substantial development. Players have noted the absence of a compelling storyline, focusing instead on side quests and cooperative fun.

    • “Great side scroller with lots of side quests and things to work towards, perfect to binge with your friends till 4 am.”
    • “Very short story but fun in a co-op.”
    • “No story to speak of in case anyone was wondering.”
    • “The plot is pretty simplistic: choose a Viking (from four playable options) and see how much treasure you can plunder from the enemy's clutches.”
    • “Don't like the game idea that you need to bring the item along with you through the mission.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a delightful addition that enhances the overall experience, particularly in cooperative play, where it complements the fun combat mechanics and rewarding loot system. Players appreciate the lightheartedness and comedic elements that contribute to an enjoyable atmosphere, making it a standout choice for couch co-op gaming.

    • “Excellent loot system, fun combat mechanics, and a little bit of humor thrown in as well.”
    • “Rewarding, funny, great pacing.”
    • “But Castle Crashers was ultimately a game about mashing attack while laughing.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players express frustration with the grinding mechanics in the game, noting that significant time is required to collect gold and trinkets for character upgrades and healing potions. The lengthy levels and challenging boss fights exacerbate the grind, making it feel tedious and necessary for progression. Overall, the RPG elements add depth but also lead to a repetitive experience focused on grinding for resources.

    • “And that's not just because of the enemy and gameplay, but the overall economy of the game, which seems to focus on grinding levels for gold and trinkets to a) upgrade your character (and I am now at a point where 1 upgrade costs 4 instead of 1 trinket) and b) buy healing potions, the only real way to heal during one of the rather lengthy levels that also have a boss fight at the end.”
    • “Friend and I started playing it assuming it was a basic side-scrolling game, kind of like Double Dragon, etc. Instead, there is an RPG element wherein you enhance your Viking via leveling as well as being able to overlevel your Viking by grinding.”
    • “The grinding to level your character up is the same mechanic to level up weapons and gear.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    While the game boasts impressive presentation in terms of performance, art, and sound, players have noted that keyboard optimization is severely lacking, making the experience subpar for those without a controller.

    • “The game's optimization is impressive, ensuring smooth performance even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I love how the developers focused on optimization; it really enhances the overall experience with stunning visuals and fluid gameplay.”
    • “The attention to detail in optimization makes a significant difference, allowing for seamless transitions and minimal loading times.”
    • “The game overall does seem good; however, if you do not have a controller, the keyboard optimization is horrendous.”
    • “The performance issues are frustrating, and it feels like the game wasn't optimized for PC at all.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which made the gameplay less enjoyable.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game features a straightforward monetization model with no microtransactions or ads, focusing instead on delivering a quality gaming experience with couch co-op and high playability.

    • “No microtransactions, no ads—just a good game with couch co-op and playability.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is reminiscent of its predecessor, cc, but players note that after several hours of gameplay, there are three significant elements that distinguish Viking Squad's ambiance.

    • “The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and captivating sound design.”
    • “Every corner of the game is filled with rich details that enhance the overall atmosphere, making each moment feel unique and engaging.”
    • “The combination of the haunting soundtrack and the beautifully crafted environments creates an unforgettable atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The atmosphere feels bland and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I was hoping for.”
    • “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is flat and fails to draw me into the world.”
    • “I expected a rich and engaging atmosphere, but instead, it feels empty and lifeless.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report that the game demonstrates strong stability, with effective 4K and 144Hz support, contributing to a smooth overall performance.

    • “The game features 4K and 144Hz support, and runs smoothly, which is always great to see.”
    • “I appreciate how stable the game is; I haven't experienced any crashes or major bugs.”
    • “The performance is consistently reliable, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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