Volgarr the Viking 2 review

Much like its sword, spear, and shield-carrying protagonist, Volgarr the Viking 2 is from another era. This is a title that offers little of the leniency extended by most contemporary efforts. Instead, the game delivers one of those masochistic thrashings that ‘80s coin-ops like Ghosts ‘n Goblins routinely dished out. Yes, like in the days of old, progress demands perfectionism.
And if you ever undertook Sir Arthur’s nerve-wracking journey, then you’ll know that a mastery of the character’s moveset is essential. Offensively, the mighty Volgarr can swing his sword from a standing and crouching position while his lance is a powerful ranged weapon. The javelin also has a secondary function when thrown at a wall, creating a platform that the Norseman can use to reach elevated areas.

When it comes to navigation, Volgarr can perform both a single and a spinning-double jump. But only the latter provides some control over the character positioning while he’s in the air. Rounding out the Viking’s arsenal is a dodge-roll that’s difficult to perform in the heat of battle. But when timed correctly, the evasive move can get you to safety.

Meet your Instructor, Failure

If you missed the Volgarr’s 2013 debut, you might look at screenshots and assume that this game is another conventional action-platformer. But that assumption wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Advancing through Volgarr the Viking 2’s six stages aren’t about how well you can improvise when confronted with opposition.

Instead, the game is a taut exercise in trial-and-error. Flub the timing when a zombie torso flings itself at you or notice a hovering explosive enemy just a moment too late and Volgarr will perish. Success involves memorization as you repeatedly perform the same swings and jumps as you use your knowledge to evade the succession of enemies, traps, and chasms that make up each level.

Treasuring a Bit of Compassion

Fortunately, a single hit doesn’t always kill our valiant Viking. Like Sir Arthur, Volgarr can pick up a series of power-ups (boots, flame sword, belt, helmet, and green gems) that each provide a new ability as well as let you withstand additional enemy hits. This time out, there are additional checkpoint runes across the lengthier levels.

Usually, you’ll return to the last one you encountered when you die. But you can opt to destroy the rune to earn a bonus. Additionally, every time you run out of your six lives and use a continue, Volgarr becomes weaker looking. After the sixth continue, the viking becomes a corpse, vulnerable only to falls. Effectively, this is the game’s unannounced ‘novice mode’ – which leads to the game’s worst ending. If you hope to see one of the better conclusions, you’ll have to start with a new save file. You didn’t expect Volgarr to become a pushover, did you?

If you’re reluctant to shoulder the penalties that comes with Volgarr the Viking 2’s helping hand, expect a lofty level of challenge as you learn to deal with the plethora of perils across each stage. Likely, you’ll die hundreds of times. But that one instance where you make it unscathed feels like crossing a marathon’s finish line. Others might not understand the motivations for this mighty undertaking, since they haven’t scoffed at the near-impossible.

Volgarr the Viking 2 was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.