Volgarr the Viking

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,577 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Volgarr the Viking Game Cover
Starting at $4.62Buy now
Get on Steam

"Volgarr the Viking" is a challenging side-scrolling action game with retro graphics. Play as the legendary Viking Volgarr, battling through treacherous levels filled with traps, enemies, and bosses. With no level saves or continue points, it requires skill, strategy, and perseverance to complete.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Dreamcast
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,577 reviews
gameplay74 positive mentions
story8 negative mentions
  • Incredibly challenging yet rewarding gameplay that requires skill and memorization.
  • Beautiful pixel art and a nostalgic retro aesthetic that captures the essence of classic platformers.
  • Tight controls and mechanics that allow for fluid movement and combat once mastered.
  • Unforgiving checkpoint system that forces players to restart entire levels upon death, leading to frustration.
  • Stiff jumping mechanics that limit mid-air control, making platforming feel clunky and imprecise.
  • Heavy reliance on trial and error, which can make progress feel tedious and repetitive rather than skill-based.
  • gameplay247 mentions

    The gameplay of "Volgarr the Viking" is characterized by its punishing difficulty and retro-inspired mechanics, requiring players to memorize levels and enemy patterns for success. While the controls and mechanics are generally tight and satisfying, many players find the jumping mechanics awkward and the lack of checkpoints frustrating, leading to a trial-and-error experience that can feel unfair. Overall, the game offers a challenging yet rewarding experience for those willing to invest time in mastering its mechanics, reminiscent of classic platformers like "Castlevania" and "Ninja Gaiden."

    • “Level design and mechanics really work – the game rewards figuring out the 'puzzle' of how to approach enemies and careful execution.”
    • “I highly recommend this game to those who appreciate simple yet challenging and entertaining gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is tight, with solid controls and a very old school challenge that makes it rewarding.”
    • “The controls are extremely clunky, and the mechanics feel dated.”
    • “I badly wanted to like this game because of how good it feels to play, but when the game punishes you for going both fast or slow with bad stage design for the mechanics they provide then it makes it a miserable experience instead.”
    • “Intentionally bad jumps and combat mechanics just to make the game 'difficult.' No checkpoints for further 'difficulty' so that you're forced to waste a few minutes of your life every time you die returning to the place you're having trouble.”
  • graphics157 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their nostalgic, retro aesthetic, reminiscent of 16-bit era titles, with many reviewers highlighting the beautiful pixel art and smooth animations. While some players appreciate the vibrant visuals and detailed artwork, others note inconsistencies and a lack of variety in enemy designs. Overall, the graphics effectively evoke a classic arcade feel, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some criticisms regarding their execution.

    • “The graphics are lovely and evoke that low-res feel; the gameplay is logical and self-revealing; the difficulty ramps predictably.”
    • “The game's graphics are absolutely great, they make you feel like playing an old school platformer, and overall make for a great atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are detailed and thoroughly eye-opening, especially when you're swinging around the fire sword.”
    • “The graphics don't look like real pixel art; they look like regular cartoon drawings that were passed through some kind of pixel art filter.”
    • “The visuals are crisply drawn and smoothly animated, but there are some parallax effects in some places that are just downright nauseating.”
    • “Pps: as one who actually grew up with the old school games, I have to say that none of them ever had this bad graphics... almost every single game here on Steam that tries to recreate the looks of the old 80s and 90s games actually ends up making their games look a lot worse and more clumsy.”
  • music109 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and fit the game's aesthetic, often describing it as epic or nostalgic. However, some players found it lacking in precision and polish compared to classic inspirations, with a few even suggesting it could be improved with heavier metal influences. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally appreciated, opinions vary on its impact and memorability throughout gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack is sublime, to say the least.”
    • “The music is incredible.”
    • “The pixel art on display here is vibrant and colorful, and is perfectly matched with some great music that fits the mood of the game.”
    • “Beautiful art and music, but it unfortunately lacks much of the precision and polish that its legendary inspirations are known for.”
    • “And the music is pretty ambient and boring sounding; it just doesn't drive the action at all.”
    • “My only complaint is that I wish that the game had better music.”
  • story49 mentions

    The story in the game is minimalistic and largely underdeveloped, with players primarily focusing on gameplay rather than narrative. While the protagonist, Volgarr the Viking, embarks on a quest filled with challenges, the overarching plot is basic and lacks depth, often leaving players wanting more in terms of storytelling. Overall, the game prioritizes tight controls and level design over a compelling narrative, making it suitable for those who enjoy challenging gameplay rather than a rich story experience.

    • “I experienced a range of emotions, from trepidation, anger, fear, and elation, something that few modern games can achieve, even with their grandiose storytelling and advanced visual presentation.”
    • “Not only does it tell a cool little story, it also gives 3 unique endings and hours of gameplay.”
    • “You play as Volgarr the Viking in his mighty quest to slaughter the evil lizard people who want to convene with Zeus to rid you of your power and stop the senseless slaughter!”
    • “Underlying story is basic, nothing special.”
    • “There is pretty much no story; you're a viking, go forward and hit things, you pick up gear to take more hits and do more damage, get hit and you lose that gear.”
    • “The only downside is the lack of any form of storytelling, and the lack of saving which can make the challenge all the greater when you realize you'll need to beat it in one sitting.”
  • replayability23 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through features like achievement hunting, multiple pathways, secret levels, and global speed-running rankings. Players can enjoy various challenges, including different endings and a steep learning curve, which encourage repeated play. However, some users noted that replay value may diminish after completing the main content, particularly for those who do not engage in time trials or seek to 100% the game.

    • “Once you're done with the walkthrough, it has incredible speed-running replayability with global rankings built into the game, separated by overall and by each level.”
    • “As far as replay value, I have finished it a few times, and I am still playing it, 2 years and 140 hours later!”
    • “Definitely worth the price tag, with tons of replayability in order to get the perfect runs or speed runs.”
    • “From a replayability perspective, the game doesn't offer much variety once you complete both paths.”
    • “You are going to die so many times that technically you can consider that your 'replay value'.”
    • “Achievement hunting makes it somewhat replayable.”
  • grinding22 mentions

    The reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the lack of checkpoints and the need to replay entire levels after dying. While some players appreciate the challenge and nostalgia, many find the repetitive nature of the gameplay detracts from their overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of annoyance rather than satisfaction. Overall, the grinding experience is a divisive element, with some players enjoying the challenge while others feel it becomes overly tedious.

    • “Prepare for grinding until you make it to the next level.”
    • “At the end of my time with this game, it became tedious whenever I died and went back to the start of the level, and I realized I wasn't enjoying the game anymore.”
    • “You will die at every new trap and will have to restart your whole tedious run again.”
  • humor16 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it amusingly challenging and enjoying the quirky elements, such as a funny credits scene and humorous character designs. However, others criticize the humor as weak or overshadowed by frustrating gameplay mechanics, leading to a lack of enjoyment. Overall, while some appreciate the comedic aspects, the game's difficulty often detracts from the humor for many players.

    • “It's not for everyone, but if one tries and gets to the end, he will be rewarded with a nice and funny credits scene.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, challenging, and downright hilarious!”
    • “To top it all off, there's cool little humor thrown in.”
    • “But I was wrong, it's not funny.”
    • “Frustrating and unfunny.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Volgarr the Viking" is highly praised for its retro graphics and immersive soundtrack, which evoke a classic platformer feel and enhance the overall gaming experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a challenging yet engaging environment, combining tight controls with a unique old-school vibe that keeps them invested despite its difficulty. Overall, the atmosphere is described as masterful, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Volgarr the Viking is a classic with tight controls, masterful atmosphere, and balls-to-the-wall difficulty.”
    • “The game's graphics are absolutely great; they make you feel like you're playing an old-school platformer, and overall create a fantastic atmosphere.”
    • “Music gives a good atmosphere that gets you pumped and really immerses you in the game.”
    • “Collecting items adds to your hit meter much like 'Ghosts 'n Goblins'; Volgarr creates an atmosphere for rage quitting.”
    • “My philosophy on this is that there are some instances in which a game may not necessarily have that much in the way of gameplay (take Amnesia for example), but the story, atmosphere, or whatever it may be is reason enough to pick it up.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, with experiences ranging from exhilaration and nostalgia to frustration and heartbreak. The challenge presented by the game evokes feelings of accomplishment and empowerment, while moments of difficulty can lead to deep emotional responses, including tears. Overall, the game successfully taps into a mix of joy and challenge, creating a memorable emotional experience.

    • “I cried myself to sleep last night.”
    • “Finally getting to the boss of the first world is exhilarating--also heartbreaking, in my case, since I died against him almost immediately--because this game refuses to pull its punches.”
    • “Volgarr challenged me, it made me feel young again, and it gave me a sense of accomplishment.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance noted, especially when using a controller. However, some players have pointed out issues with sluggish combat animations and stuttering jumps, which detract from the experience, particularly when compared to other platformers. Additionally, the game features three different endings that are influenced by performance.

    • “It should run smoothly even on your toaster! :)”
    • “Well optimized.”
    • “With an improvement in the controls and a smoother level design, it could be great, but having recently played many other platformers, the sluggish combat animations and stuttering jumping sequences really stick out in an otherwise 'nostalgic' platformer.”
    • “Smooth action performance, but a controller is a must.”
    • “-3 different endings based on performance.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is generally solid, with no major bugs or glitches reported by most users; however, some players have noted issues with jumping mechanics that can affect gameplay. While it may be unbalanced and challenging, those who enjoy difficult games may find it rewarding despite these minor stability concerns.

    • “It's far more unbalanced and buggy than any 'Ghosts 'n Goblins' or 'Shinobi' game, but if you're part of the masochistic 'git gud' cult, you'll probably love it.”
    • “Unfortunately, the jumping is buggy.”
    • “You'll never die because of game glitches or bad game mechanics, but purely because of poor skills.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers note that the game's monetization strategy, which includes charges for continues and saves, feels more suited for a mobile platform rather than its current format. This approach has drawn criticism for potentially detracting from the overall experience.

    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without constant pressure to spend.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers a variety of ways to earn in-game currency, making it accessible for everyone.”
    • “The balance between free and paid content is well done, ensuring that players can progress without feeling forced to make purchases.”
    • “The game feels like a copy of Rastan, but the monetization system is frustrating, especially with the need to pay for continues and saves.”
    • “The monetization strategy is overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “It's disappointing that the game relies so heavily on monetization, turning what could be a fun experience into a pay-to-win scenario.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Volgarr the Viking

Play time

8hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
3-13hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games