Volgarr the Viking II Review: Brutally Rewarding

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As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that Volgarr the Viking II has truly taken me back to my arcade roots. The brutality and challenge of this game harkens back to the days when a single quarter could wipe out an entire afternoon’s allowance.

After a ten-year wait, Volgarr the Viking II has been released! Fans will be thrilled to know that this sequel maintains the same intense difficulty as its predecessor, the popular indie action game. As a follow-up to the 2013 Viking game, it preserves all the distinctive features of the series while also advancing it. In many ways, playing Volgarr II feels like stepping back into my cherished recollections of the original, as I found myself impressed by the visual and gameplay enhancements after revisiting the first game.

If you haven’t experienced Volgarr the Viking yet, the gameplay is quite straightforward. You primarily fight enemies using a shield and sword, while navigating through levels brimming with traps. The experience is reminiscent of old-school action games like Ghosts ‘n Goblins or ActRaiser. While there are some advanced techniques, such as the ability to throw spears for platform creation, the core gameplay revolves around perfecting the fundamentals and maintaining focus throughout your gameplay.

The reason for this is that Volgarr the Viking II is incredibly challenging. Death can occur swiftly, and you frequently face numerous enemies simultaneously. The movement is restricted, so strategy is essential if you want to succeed. Yet, the game is fair – when you die, it’s usually due to a tactical or execution error on your part. However, overcoming levels provides immense satisfaction as you’ve invested effort, persistence, and dedication in the process.

If you’ve played the first installment, you’re well aware of its toughness. The second part maintains this difficulty level and introduces an additional aspect – the stages are longer than before. To aid players in navigating these extended levels, checkpoints or runestones have been inserted. While these are not mandatory, they can be destroyed for extra points. The game also provides other means of assistance: accumulating enough continues allows you to access a ghostly version of Volgarr that’s invincible and perishes only in pits. Although this leads to the least favorable ending, it serves as a helpful tool for advancing through the game, allowing you to eventually complete it honestly.

It’s great news! Once you conquer a boss, you’ll gain access to a training mode where you can try out new tactics and improve your abilities. With so much content in Volgarr the Viking II, including six distinct endings to discover, this practice mode comes in very handy. The game’s visuals are stunning, featuring beautiful pixel art and animation that brings the game world to life in an impressive way, allowing players to immerse themselves fully.

Volgarr the Viking II Review: Final Verdict

Similar to its predecessor, Volgarr the Viking II delivers an enjoyable old-school adventure that demands both your abilities and endurance. Although it may prove too tough for some gamers, those who persevere will find themselves immersed in an exceptional gaming experience. As challenging and entertaining as the original, this sequel gets it right.

SCORE: 8/10

According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a rating of 8 signifies “Excellent.” Although there are some small flaws, this score indicates that the artwork achieves its purpose effectively and makes a lasting impression.

Disclaimer: We received a digital copy of PlayStation 5 for our Volgarr the Viking II review, specifically version 1.000.000.

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2024-08-05 16:10