| Volgarr the Viking 2 | |||
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| Gameplay & Story | Release Date | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Volgarr the Viking 2 is the sequel to the hardcore 2D action platformer that is reminiscent to the difficult games of generations past. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Volgarr the Viking 2 Review Overview
What is Volgarr the Viking 2?
Volgarr the Viking 2 is the sequel to the 2D hardcore action platformer which ends the ten-year-long wait for its release. It features Viking King Volgarr back, stronger than ever before, with new power-ups and tricks up his sleeve. The game features a total of five levels and one additional secret level that are of varying difficulty. It also has different endings dependent on your performance, which is why the game also features both a practice mode to let you try the level without limits and an Undead mode which allows you to survive enemy attacks to restart a level.
Volgarr the Viking 2 features:
⚫︎ Classic 2D Action Platformer Gameplay
⚫︎ Multiple Difficult Levels to Test Your Skills
⚫︎ New Powerups, New Upgrades, and QoL Improvements
⚫︎ Different Endings With Different Recommends
⚫︎ Additional Modes to Change
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Volgarr the Viking 2's gameplay and story.
 Volgarr the Viking 2 |
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 Steam |
 Playstation |
 GoG |
 Xbox |
 Switch |
Volgarr the Viking 2 Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Classic 2D Platformer Goodness You Can Actually Practice Great Soundtrack |
Not For The Faint of Heart No Down Platform Command Automatic Undead Mode |
Volgarr the Viking 2 Overall - 80/100
Volgarr the Viking 2 is an ode to the classic 2D platformers that were notoriously difficult. It has striking visuals, gameplay that demands precision, and a soundtrack that keeps you headbanging and hyped even when you’ve repeated the same stage five times. However, this game is so difficult that even with the quality of life (QoL) improvements and changes that it has, its reputation for being a hard-to-beat game still stands. If you enjoy Ghouls & Ghosts, Strider, Demon’s Crest, and other games of the same genre, this might be the game for you.
Volgarr the Viking 2 Story - 6/10
The story of Volgarr the Viking 2 is definitely secondary and not the sole focus of the game. It picks up from the first game, but not much is actually said or shown except for the game’s long, Star Wars-esque introduction. There are multiple endings, with the best one being gated by skill. So, being good at the game is a requirement to know the full story.
Volgarr the Viking 2 Gameplay - 9/10
The game is very difficult. After all, it’s inspired by the SNES and SEGA Genesis eras of 2D games that were known to be hard. To put it simply, the game improves from the first release in a lot of ways through its platforming and new features. Its level designs are similar to those of these older games, with huge levels full of enemies that can kill you in one hit, except when you possess power-ups that give you additional armor. Although it has certain features to make the game slightly easier, like checkpoints and auto-saves, don’t be fooled; it doesn’t sacrifice its difficulty even with all of these options.
If anything, all of the new stuff the game introduces makes the game more interesting and complex, as the game is designed to be at a much faster pace than its predecessor. Additionally, the game made it clear that blocking is a bigger part of the combat, which makes it a little more strategic than before.
Volgarr the Viking 2 Visuals - 9/10
Not everyone is going to be a fan of the pixelated throwback visuals it has, but those who have played any of the old arcade games will appreciate how it brings back the past aesthetic. To be more specific, it does look similar to games from the PlayStation 1 era, with its static colored backgrounds and interesting set pieces littered throughout the different levels.
Volgarr the Viking 2 Audio - 9/10
The music in the game is amazing. It’s one of the main reasons why we couldn’t put the game down, even after failing so many times. The soundtrack is full of hard rock bangers that will have you ready to take on the primordial evils around you.
Volgarr the Viking 2 Value for Money - 7/10
For $19.99, the game promises a lengthy time sink, mainly for mastering the game and unlocking the other endings. In reality, the game might only take around three to four hours to complete if you’re good enough. Completionists will have to be skilled to finish the game without using a continue, though. Hence, it may be worth it to fans of the genre, but for new players, it may not be their cup of tea.
It will take you a considerable amount of time to get through the game, and even longer if you want to 100% it, as you’ll need to beat the game without going past the limit of continues. It has a few flaws regarding convenience and nitpicks, but regardless, it’s a game that fans of the genre will appreciate.
Volgarr the Viking 2 Review: Return of the King
Classic 2D platformers have always fit a certain niche in the gaming space, be it because of their popularity back in the day, their influence on current game design in the genre, or their notorious difficulty. Truth be told, there aren’t many developers looking to make these types of games anymore, and recently, it may have been true for Volgarr the Viking ten years ago. However, the long wait is finally over, as the king finally returns for a sequel to the hardcore 2D action platformer Volgarr the Viking 2.
Visually, the game looks old. Not in a bad way, because its style and aesthetics are reminiscent of the classic pixelated designs that were very popular back in the day. It has a distinct art style coupled with familiar and nostalgic set pieces, and character designs that people would recognize even if they hadn’t played the first game. It’s by no means the best-looking or best-animated pixelated game out there, but it has striking features that make it stand out from the rest.
The game’s audio design is also quite impressive, especially in terms of the game’s music. It also highlights the importance of good music in a video game, as even with the game’s difficult or intense gameplay, the music matches its vibe by providing tracks that hype you up despite having a hard time with the game.
The gameplay is quite simple. It’s a side-scrolling 2D action platformer where you have a plethora of ways to deal damage to enemies. It’s discovering how to use your attacks efficiently and effectively that makes this game more interesting than it initially seems. The longer you play the game, the better you’ll get at using all the different attacks in the many situations that the game will throw at you.
The game doesn’t really introduce anything too crazy that you haven’t seen in other games. Other than the constant threat of dying in one hit to the most basic enemies and the platforming puzzles that need a bit of precise timing and careful spear placement to create platforms to stand on, the game’s overall loop is simple. Where the game shines is in its well-executed gameplay design, which effectively balances the "practice till you get it" aspect without becoming overly frustrating.
Now, onto the game’s main issue: Undead Mode. This is the game’s "God Mode," where you’re effectively invulnerable to enemy damage and can only die by falling off the stage. The game automatically turns it on when you die a certain number of times, which actually locks you out of the game’s true ending. This could’ve been avoided if the feature were a toggleable option in the settings rather than a "you’ve died way too many times, so we’re turning on easy mode" kind of automatic response.
It isn’t too major of an issue, as it could still be patched out, but having to stop your entire run because you were dying too much is frustrating. When combined with the game’s significantly longer and bigger levels, this mechanic adds a lot more difficulty. If the intention is to persuade players to practice the levels in their entirety so they don’t die too much, then it succeeds, although not everyone may be willing to take the time required to master these levels.
In the end, Volgarr the Viking 2 is undoubtedly a better version of its predecessor. With the addition of new power-ups, abilities, and QoL changes, the game has become a bigger 2D platformer without sacrificing its core identity. The main issues that plague it are mainly related to convenience and the automatic activation of God Mode after more than six deaths. It’s definitely not a game that’s easy to recommend, mainly due to its difficulty and retro gameplay, but it has its place as one of the better indie 2D platformers of the year.
For $19.99, the game has a lot to offer, even for those who aren’t strangers to the 2D action platforming genre. While it may put many people off because of its difficulty, it could also inspire other players to embrace the challenge and beat the game.
Pros of Volgarr the Viking 2
| Things Volgarr the Viking 2 Got Right |
|---|
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Classic 2D Platformer Goodness You Can Actually Practice Great Soundtrack |
Classic 2D Platformer Goodness
Volgarr the Viking 2 builds upon its predecessor, which was inspired by classic 2D platforming games. Everything about the game screams retro, and it does so well through its visuals, audio design, and, most importantly, its gameplay. The best part about the sequel is that it improves upon everything the previous iteration had. While it has QoL improvements to make the game more convenient and a little less challenging, the game doesn’t sacrifice its difficulty, as the level and enemy designs have been changed from the previous game.
Levels have been designed to be longer forays with more platforming sections, enemies, and checkpoints. This, unironically, made the game a lot more difficult than the first game, as you only have one life to play with (unless you have power-ups equipped at the time) and there’s a lot more threats to deal with than before.
You Can Actually Practice
The game offers two different modes that allow you to "practice" different levels. One is explicitly called "Practice Mode," which allows you to replay a specific level without going through all the previous levels again. This feature is only available once you defeat that level’s boss, which means that you still have to clear the entire game if you want to select any stage.
The other one is called "Undead Mode," which is basically the game’s "God Mode," allowing you to completely breeze through levels without the fear of dying from enemy hits. These features allow you to study the game’s levels, eventually mastering and memorizing their different layouts so that you can complete them without dying.
Great Soundtrack
The game’s soundtrack is hype, and it was easily one of the first things that struck with us. It definitely captures the vibe of controlling a barbarian king going out to defeat the evil messing around in his territory.
Cons of Volgarr the Viking 2
| Things That Volgarr the Viking 2 Can Improve |
|---|
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Not For The Faint of Heart No Down Platform Command Automatic Undead Mode |
Not For The Faint of Heart
The game is very challenging. Depending on your affinity for platforming classics, this game may not be your cup of tea. It demands precision and the ability to be quick, both with your inputs and your wits to handle various situations. Sure, it has checkpoints and the Undead Mode, but these features won’t be very useful if you want to finish the game.
No Down Platform Command
This is more of a nitpick than a real flaw, as not having the ability to drop down from higher platforms may be intentional. It would be wise to be mindful of this, especially if you’re used to modern platformers that allow you to go down lower platforms using specific inputs. This caveat could throw you off (literally and figuratively) if you’re not ready. For example, there were a couple of times where we died because we mistakenly rolled off a platform and landed on an enemy.
Automatic Undead Mode
While the Undead Mode is helpful, the fact that it activates automatically after pressing continue more than six times might put off many players. Being the game’s "God Mode," it removes the damage from the game’s main obstacle—the multiple enemies scattered throughout the levels—trivializing the game. However, having Undead Mode on also means that you are locked out of the game’s best ending, needing you to restart your save if you want to get it. It may be helpful if it was changed into a toggleable option or a dialog asking the player to change to Undead Mode.
Is Volgarr the Viking 2 Worth It?
Not For Everyone, Definitely For Fans of the Genre
The game is definitely not aimed to please newer players, despite having many QoL improvements . While it may be true that the game is difficult, it does have that familiar feeling that we can attest many people have missed since they don’t quite make games like the old days anymore. For $19.99, the game may still be a hard sell, but if you’re a fan of the old Ghouls and Goblins-type games, then it definitely is right for you.
| Digital Storefront | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
Playstation |
GoG |
Xbox |
Switch |
| $19.99 | ||||
Volgarr the Viking 2 FAQ
Do I Need to Play the First Game Before Playing Volgarr the Viking 2?
While the sequel does pick up the story from the first game, the story is not the main highlight or draw of the game. There are some small story bits here and there, but ultimately, it is completely acceptable to play the sequel before playing the predecessor.
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Volgarr the Viking 2 Product Information
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| Title | VOLGARR THE VIKING 2 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | August 6, 2024 |
| Developer | Digital Eclipse, Crazy Viking Studios |
| Publisher | Digital Eclipse |
| Supported Platforms | PC (Steam, GoG), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S |
| Genre | Action, Platformer |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | T |
| Official Website | Volgarr the Viking 2 Official Website |
