Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is a challenging roguelike game set in Norse mythology, receiving skills from the gods while facing different challenges. Read on to learn everything we know, our review of the early access, and more.

Everything We Know About Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Plot

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel begins with the protagonist as one of the many banished souls trapped in Niflheim, the icy realm of Norse mythology. The story sets the stage with a simple but compelling premise: escape Niflheim and make your way through the other realms. In this early access version, players explore two realms—Niflheim and Muspelheim—each showcasing distinct environments and themes.

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Gameplay

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel offers a dungeon-crawling roguelike experience with mechanics designed for both strategy and adaptability. Players choose from four classes: Berserker, Seeress, Flame Sister, and Revenant. While the Berserker and Seeress are available from the start, unlocking the Flame Sister and Revenant requires progression through the game. Each class has unique abilities and playstyles, catering to a range of preferences.

The gameplay loop emphasizes replayability, with players unlocking new realms, modifiers, and challenges as they progress. This structure encourages experimentation with different classes and skills, ensuring each run offers a fresh experience while maintaining a consistent challenge.

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Release Date

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel entered early access on January 21, 2025. The full release date remains under wraps, but according to their Steam page, EA can last up to 6 months.

Digital Storefronts
Steam						Epic Games
Price			$9.99

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Review (Early Access)

Worth the Grind

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel wastes no time pulling you into its interpretation of Norse mythology. While I can’t say I’m an expert on the mythos, the realms of Niflheim and Muspelheim feel incredibly distinct. Niflheim envelops you in a frosty, hostile wasteland, while Muspelheim blazes with fiery chaos, setting the tone for each level. It’s more than just visuals, though, enemies reflect their environment, ranging from skeletal warriors to imposing giants, each more menacing than the last.

What’s missing here is a strong narrative. The game hints at your character being banished and clawing their way out of Niflheim, but that’s about it. Instead of a story-driven experience, Jotunnslayer focuses on the roguelike staples: progression, survival, and the adrenaline rush of barely making it to the next level. It’s not a flaw—this game doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not—but if you’re someone who craves lore, you’ll have to use your imagination.

Despite the absence of a deep story, the game’s atmosphere does a great job of keeping you immersed. Each level’s design complements its theme perfectly, from the icy storms of Niflheim to the blazing hazards in Muspelheim. Even though this early access build only features two realms, it doesn’t feel limiting thanks to the variety of enemies and challenges packed into each.

If you’re worried about feeling restricted in this early version, don’t be. With the diversity in enemy types and the distinctive settings, Jotunnslayer already feels complete in its world-building. The other realms might not be available yet, but I didn’t find myself longing for them. The game does a fine job of making each run feel satisfying and fresh within its current scope.

Mastering the Classes

Jotunnslayer offers four distinct classes, each catering to a unique playstyle. Initially, only two—Berserker and Seeress—are available, with Flame Sister and Revenant unlocked as you progress. Each class feels purposeful, from the close-range ferocity of the Berserker to the long-range precision of the Seeress. I personally gravitated toward the Seeress, as I prefer keeping a safe distance while hurling spells at enemies.

Unlocking new classes and content feels rewarding. It mirrors the sense of progression that defines roguelikes, whether it’s accessing a new realm, unlocking a modifier, or experimenting with god skills. While I remained loyal to the Seeress throughout my runs, each class’s unique traits encouraged players to experiment and adapt their strategies, especially as the difficulty ramped up

Speaking of strategies, the combination of class skills and god skills adds depth to the gameplay. The trick lies in picking the right skills for your current class. For instance, a Berserker might benefit from tanky upgrades, while a Seeress thrives on stacking offensive spells. The game’s difficulty forces you to think on your feet, something I learned the hard way after several failed runs.

That said, your success also depends on your playstyle. For me, the Seeress made the game’s escalating difficulty manageable. I found the Berserker a bit tougher to master, but that’s more a reflection of my preference than the game’s balance. No matter which class you choose, Jotunnslayer ensures every victory feels earned, and every failure feels like a lesson.

Endless Replayability

At its core, Jotunnslayer thrives on its roguelike loop. While many games in the genre risk feeling repetitive, this one strikes the right balance between familiarity and variety. Each run presents new challenges, particularly as you venture into Normal mode and beyond. Whether it’s defeating a chieftain or collecting mushrooms while hordes close in, the game ensures no two runs feel identical.

Progression outside the realms keeps things interesting. Upgrades to skills and god powers persist, allowing you to steadily enhance your character’s potential. During a run, however, you start from scratch, building your character level by level. This reset mechanic makes every decision matter, as stacking or upgrading the right skills can make or break your success.

There’s also a clear incentive to push through the ranks. Beating a realm on one difficulty unlocks the next, providing tangible rewards for those who dare to challenge Insane mode. Personally, I found the Normal mode challenging enough—success required more than brute force, as careful planning and split-second timing became key to survival.

If there’s one thing to note, it’s that the grind is real. But honestly, what roguelike isn’t grindy? In Jotunnslayer, the grind feels justified, thanks to its satisfying progression system and the sheer variety of challenges. This isn’t a game you pick up for casual relaxation; it’s a test of endurance and strategy, and I loved every minute of it.

Presentation and Performance

Visually, Jotunnslayer delivers on its Norse mythology-inspired promise. Niflheim’s cold, desolate beauty and Muspelheim’s fiery, apocalyptic design are both striking and immersive. Each realm feels alive, with dynamic environmental hazards like icy storms in Niflheim adding to the tension. Even after countless runs, the visuals never felt stale.

Performance-wise, the game impressed me. Despite being swarmed by enemies in chaotic battles, I never experienced any lag or stuttering. The remains of fallen enemies linger briefly before vanishing, a small but satisfying detail that enhances the game’s visceral feel. It’s clear the developers prioritized optimization, making it accessible even on lower-end systems.

The music, however, falls flat. While the tracks are serviceable, they lack variety and fail to evolve with the intensity of the gameplay. Whether I was starting a run or facing a boss, the soundtrack remained the same, which is a missed opportunity to heighten the game’s atmosphere.

Still, the overall presentation feels polished for an early-access title. The distinct realms, smooth performance, and responsive controls make Jotunnslayer a joy to play. It’s a testament to how much care has already gone into this game, and I can’t wait to see what future updates bring.

A Must-Have Roguelike

Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel stands out in a genre often criticized for its repetitiveness. Its progression system, skill diversity, and dynamic challenges ensure it remains engaging, even after hours of play. Unlike other roguelikes that feel like an endless grind, this one offers tangible rewards and a sense of accomplishment with each run.

For newcomers to the genre, this is a perfect entry point. Its easy mechanics, paired with the depth of its skill system, make it easy to pick up yet hard to master. As someone who rarely dives into roguelikes, I found myself hooked, eagerly planning my next run even after logging off.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to see what the full release brings. More realms, gods, and skills would only enhance the experience, solidifying Jotunnslayer as a must-have for roguelike fans. While the grind can be demanding, it’s never frustrating, every run feels like progress, and every victory feels hard-earned.

In short, Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is fun, polished, and full of potential. Whether you’re a genre veteran or a curious newcomer, it’s a game worth adding to your catalog. Just be prepared to lose track of time as you chase that next victory.

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Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Product Information

Title	JOTUNNSLAYER: HORDES OF HEL
Release Date	January 21, 2025
Developer	Games Farm, ARTillery
Publisher	Grindstone
Supported Platforms	PC (Steam, Epic)
Genre	Action, Roguelike, Casual
Number of Players	1
ESRB Rating	RP
Official Website	Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel Official Website

Allisandra Reyes

I find joy in the adrenaline rush of horror games, but my thrill-seeking doesn't stop there. Beyond the digital realm, I like to take on the role of designated GM in TTRPGs.