Volgarr the Viking II Review
In the indie gaming world, the original "Volgarr the Viking" stood out as a shining example of what made retro-inspired platformers so appealing. Its brutal difficulty was balanced with fairness, rewarding players who mastered its punishing mechanics. With "Volgarr the Viking II," fans of the original were hoping for a sequel that could capture that same magic while bringing something new to the table. Unfortunately, while the game retains much of what made the first installment a cult favorite, it also introduces changes that feel less like improvements and more like steps backward.
The basic gameplay in "Volgarr the Viking II" will be familiar to anyone who played the first game. You’re once again stepping into the boots of Volgarr, a mighty Norse warrior armed with a variety of weapons from the gods. The game is all about precise control, with limited moves and tight restrictions on how you can attack and jump. This focus on simplicity in controls forces you to be creative with how you approach each enemy and obstacle, turning every level into a carefully crafted puzzle of timing and strategy.
The sequel brings back many of the same enemies, weapons, and challenges from the original, which is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it’s comforting to see the return of familiar elements that worked so well. On the other, it can feel like the game is resting on its laurels, recycling too much without introducing enough new content to keep things fresh.
Image Credit: Digital Eclipse
Where "Volgarr the Viking II" diverges from its predecessor is in its level design and difficulty. The levels are significantly larger this time around, which might seem like a good thing at first glance. However, these expanded environments often lack the tight, focused design of the original. Instead of short bursts of intense challenge, you're now faced with sprawling levels that can drag on, making it harder to maintain the same level of concentration and precision that the game demands.
The checkpoint system, which was meant to ease the difficulty, ends up being a double-edged sword. You might find a checkpoint after a tough section, but the game strips you of any gear you've collected, leaving you vulnerable. This design choice turns what should be a moment of relief into a source of frustration, as you’re forced to continue without the tools that made surviving possible in the first place.
One of the most polarizing features of "Volgarr the Viking II" is the introduction of Zombie Volgarr mode. If you die too many times and use up your continues, you’re turned into an invincible zombie version of Volgarr, which removes all challenge from the game. For some, this might be a welcome respite from the relentless difficulty, but for those who love the satisfaction of overcoming the game’s hurdles, it feels like a cop-out. Worse, once activated, there’s no turning back unless you’re willing to start your entire game over from scratch, which can be demoralizing after hours of hard-fought progress.
Image Credit: Digital Eclipse
Despite these issues, "Volgarr the Viking II" isn’t without its merits. The combat remains as tight and rewarding as ever, with each encounter demanding precision and quick thinking. The pixel art is beautiful, capturing the gritty atmosphere of a mythic Norse world, and the soundtrack complements the action with fittingly epic tunes.
However, these positives can’t entirely outweigh the negatives. The game’s longer levels, uneven difficulty spikes, and the controversial Zombie Volgarr mode make it a less cohesive experience than the original. While "Volgarr the Viking II" is far from a bad game, it often feels like it’s struggling to find its identity, caught between staying true to what made the first game great and trying to expand on those ideas in ways that don’t always work.
For those who enjoyed the first "Volgarr the Viking" and are craving more of that intense, retro-inspired challenge, this sequel might still offer enough to justify a playthrough. Just be prepared for a journey that, while occasionally thrilling, is also frequently frustrating.
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