During my playthrough of Volgarr the Viking 2 at Guerrilla Collective 2024, I struggled to get past the first level. When I finally had the full game on my Nintendo Switch, I was determined to improve. To my delight, Crazy Viking Studios and Digital Eclipse had thoughtfully designed the difficulty of the game with players like me in mind. Volgarr the Viking 2 provides players with the tools they need to progress and improve over time, allowing me to overcome my initial challenges with practice and perseverance.
This is achieved through two main mechanisms. Firstly, the addition of an Undead Mode makes the game more accessible for less skilled players. Secondly, the game generously rewards players who perform well with power-ups that enhance Volgarr’s abilities. By incorporating these elements, Volgarr the Viking 2 made me feel invigorated by its challenges rather than discouraged.
While the game maintains an old-school platforming approach, it doesn’t fully escape some of the frustrating aspects typical of retro design. Nevertheless, it stands out as a nostalgic homage to the challenging platformers of the past. Unlike other tough games that I usually give up on, Volgarr the Viking 2 had the opposite effect on me.
Just like the classics
If you played the original Volgarr the Viking back in 2014, Volgarr the Viking 2 will feel familiar to you. This challenging 2D platformer follows a Viking on a quest to defeat an evil lich with the aid of Valkyries. The focus is primarily on survival and collecting gold, with gameplay reminiscent of a mix between Rastan and Ghosts ‘n Goblins.
Volgarr, although a robust Viking, moves slowly, requiring players to plan each action carefully. Being hit by an enemy removes his power-up (Ghosts ‘n Goblins style), and a subsequent hit leads to defeat. Trying to rush through the game will result in frequent deaths. The key to success in Volgarr the Viking 2 is a methodical approach, learning enemy patterns, conserving resources, and utilizing spears strategically.
The game has not lost its charm over the years; instead, it has improved in presentation and accessibility. The pixel art is more polished, and the retro-inspired soundtrack adds to the nostalgic feel, reminiscent of classic NES games. Volgarr the Viking 2 strikes a perfect balance between old-school appeal and modern enhancements.
A Modern Approach to Classic Difficulty
Through discussions with the developers of Volgarr the Viking 2, I gained insight into how they strived to make this intentionally challenging game more accessible. Their efforts have largely succeeded, with the inclusion of midlevel checkpoints, plentiful continues, and a practice mode to refine skills after completing a level. The standout feature, however, is Undead Mode, which activates after multiple continues, providing a reprieve from instant death.
While I appreciated the benefits of Undead Mode during my initial playthrough, it does not entirely accommodate platforming challenges. Falling into a pit still results in loss of progress, even with the undead resilience. Overcoming certain obstacles can be frustrating, especially in levels with unique physics or difficult platforming segments. However, the unlimited continues ultimately allowed me to conquer these challenges.
The true brilliance of Volgarr the Viking 2 became evident when I realized the significance of the power-ups in enhancing Volgarr’s abilities. While these power-ups can be lost in an instant, they also reward skilled players, creating a satisfying difficulty curve. Though I have yet to achieve the true ending due to limitations on continues, I am compelled to continue playing until I do. Whether you enjoy challenging retro platformers or are new to the genre, Volgarr the Viking 2 offers a modernized take on classic difficulty that is worth the investment of time and effort.
Volgarr the Viking 2 is now available on PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
