Volgarr the Viking II
- August 6, 2024
- Crazy Viking Studios
Volgarr the Viking II is a seriously retro and seriously difficult game, that just doesn't prepare the player enough for its punishment.
Get on Steam"Volgarr the Viking II" is a challenging 2D action-platformer, continuing the saga of the barbarian king. With new power-ups, magic, enemy types, and a booming soundtrack, it builds upon its predecessor. Modern quality-of-life options provide a more accessible experience, allowing players to choose their level of difficulty in exploring new worlds, fighting brutal bosses, and discovering multiple endings.
Reviews
- Volgarr II retains the tight controls and challenging gameplay of the original while introducing quality of life improvements like multiple checkpoints and an upgraded power-up system.
- The game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of retro-inspired action platformers, with beautiful pixel art and engaging level design that encourages mastery and skill development.
- The addition of Undead Mode allows players to continue after losing all lives, providing a way to practice levels, although it may not appeal to everyone.
- Many players feel that the longer levels and the introduction of lives and continues detract from the overall experience, making the game feel more tedious and frustrating compared to the original.
- The implementation of Undead Mode has been controversial, with some players finding it ruins the challenge and integrity of the game by forcing a 'god mode' after multiple continues.
- Some reviewers believe that the game lacks the cohesive design and imaginative level structure of the first installment, leading to a less rewarding experience overall.
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a new "undead mode" that introduces a lives and checkpoint system, which some players find repetitive and reminiscent of the previous game. While the mechanics are intentionally limited to enhance challenge, the overall experience is praised for its beautiful pixel art and refined mechanics, though some feel it lacks innovation due to the reuse of previous game elements. The hardcore nature of the gameplay, with a limited number of continues, adds to the challenge but may frustrate those who dislike the undead mode.
“I'm referring to the new central mechanic that is 'undead mode' which has to do with the newly implemented lives and checkpoint systems.”
“Crazy Viking did not frontload your character with a ton of mechanics like most other modern platformers: they purposefully limit your mechanics in a very specific manner in order to give you a challenge.”
“Beautiful pixel art, simple but great mechanics, feels refined and solid.”
“They are longer than Volgarr I, but they become way too repetitive. It also doesn't help that many enemies and mechanics are copy-pastes from the previous game.”
“It's also essentially just a hardcore mechanic; you have six continues before you 'have to restart' (which, of course, isn't technically true since that just triggers the undead mode, but if you hate the undead mode, get good and don't die so much so you don't have to continue six times).”
“I'm referring to the new central mechanic that is 'undead mode,' which has to do with the newly implemented lives and checkpoint systems.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players find the game's replayability enhanced compared to its predecessor, noting that it offers multiple paths for each level and a secret level for those who take on harder challenges. This variety encourages exploration and experimentation, making the experience enjoyable even before mastering the game.
“More playable and fun before mastering it than the first one.”
“The first game has 2 paths for each of the 5 main levels, plus a secret level if you take the hard path, adding replayability to it.”
“That's my kind of replayability.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for being pulse-pounding and engaging, enhancing the overall experience with its tight composition and quality. Reviewers appreciate the improvements made over the previous installment, highlighting it as a key element that contributes to the game's fun and challenging atmosphere.
“Challenging, brutal, fun, awesome animation and art, pulse-pounding music... everything you want out of a sequel.”
“Just as tight as the first one, good music and art.”
“The music is lacking and doesn't match the intensity of the gameplay.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and uninspired.”
“The audio design could use significant improvement, as the music often detracts from the overall experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of Volgarr 2 to be more tedious compared to its predecessor, with longer stages that can feel overly drawn out and challenging, detracting from the overall experience.
“Just like Volgarr 1 but amped up. Overall, a great and challenging game, but my only gripe is that the stages are way too long and drag on. The stages in Volgarr 1 were a perfect length, whereas here in Volgarr 2, it can get quite tedious to get through to the next stages.”
Critic Reviews
Volgarr the Viking II Review
Volgarr the Viking II is, quite simply, one of the best 2D action platformers on Switch, or any other platform for that matter. It improves upon the original in just about every conceivable way, introducing neat ways to ease newcomers into its relentless brutality, vastly improving the visuals, and adding a soundtrack that is destined to go down as one of the all-time greats. Minor quibbles with the UI aside, Volgarr the Viking II is an absolute must-play if you can stomach the intense difficulty.
90%Volgarr the Viking II Review (PC)
Volgarr the Viking II is designed to appeal to players who liked the first installment, with its mix of difficulty and reward. The Norse-themed universe does not offer much in the way of story, but it has tight gameplay and plenty of challenges for players to face. Accept the fact that you’ll end up as a zombie at one point and get ready to delete saves to try again. The game’s presentation captures what made action platformers stand out in arcades in the ‘90s. Anyone who hung out in those will like it, others might have trouble connecting with it. Volgarr the Viking II is a throwback that tests players’ skills and is not afraid to frustrate them. Review key provided by the developer.
80%Volgarr the Viking II review
Volgarr the Viking II is a seriously retro and seriously difficult game, that just doesn't prepare the player enough for its punishment.
65%
