Volgarr the Viking II Reviews
Volgarr the Viking 2 is a worthy, brutally difficult, and endlessly addicting follow-up to its tough-as-nails predecessor from 2013.
A disappointing sequel that falls short of the great heights of the original, Volgarr the Viking 2 frustrates far more than it delights.
There's a lot of satisfaction that comes out of overcoming Volgarr the Viking 2's intense challenge. It comes with a lot of frustration, so be aware of that going in, but as a throwback to the Blockbuster Video rental era of gaming, this is a fairly mighty effort.
If you liked the first chapter, you'll find in Volgarr the Viking II a bigger, longer, and more challenging sequel that will undoubtedly satisfy you despite some arguable aspects of the approach to the difficulty.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Volgarr the Viking II is a seriously retro and seriously difficult game, that just doesn't prepare the player enough for its punishment.
Volgarr the Viking II is, quite simply, one of the best 2D action platformers on Switch, or any other platform for that matter. It improves upon the original in just about every conceivable way, introducing neat ways to ease newcomers into its relentless brutality, vastly improving the visuals, and adding a soundtrack that is destined to go down as one of the all-time greats. Minor quibbles with the UI aside, Volgarr the Viking II is an absolute must-play if you can stomach the intense difficulty.
I still haven’t accessed its true ending yet because you can only use one continue before your opportunity to get it goes away, but I might just keep playing Volgarr the Viking 2 until I do. Whether you’re a fan of difficult old-school 2D platformers or not, this is a modern take on a classic formula that anyone can get into with enough time and effort.
Volgarr the Viking II is not so much a definite step forward from the first chapter as a refinement of mechanics and level design. The challenge is always very high and the limited number of credits before 'screwing up' the game is a rather unpleasant idea, but if you're looking for the atmosphere that made classics like Rastan great it might be the game for you, provided you have as much patience as your joypad skills.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Volgarr The Viking II is a fun, but flawed, platformer. There's a lack of communication that leaves one guessing as to the terms of play. It's meant to be punishing, and the zombie option helps, but things could benefit from difficulty options or a better restart system.
"Volgarr the Viking 2" is a worthy successor to the original, delivering a challenging and rewarding experience that fans of the genre will love. The game builds on the strengths of its predecessor while introducing new elements that enhance the gameplay. The tight controls, exceptional level design, stunning visuals, and immersive sound all come together to create a game that is both brutally difficult and incredibly satisfying. For those who enjoy a tough but fair platformer, Volgarr the Viking 2 is a must-play. It’s a game that demands and rewards mastery, offering a sense of accomplishment that is rare in modern games. Whether you’re a veteran of the first game or a newcomer to the series, Volgarr the Viking 2 is a thrilling adventure that will test your skills and keep you coming back for more.
Volgarr the Viking II is designed to appeal to players who liked the first installment, with its mix of difficulty and reward. The Norse-themed universe does not offer much in the way of story, but it has tight gameplay and plenty of challenges for players to face. Accept the fact that you’ll end up as a zombie at one point and get ready to delete saves to try again.
I'm all for old-school challenges, but if you're itching for a game that's trying to outgame Ghost & Goblins while adding unnecessary padding and really unfair advantages just for replay value's sake, you're insane. Somehow, Volgarr the Viking II will sate that bloodlust if you need a 2D hardcore action ride.
Volgarr the Viking II is a throwback title, for better or worse. On the positive side, it deploys its simple control scheme to maximum effect, leverages several interesting platforming ideas, and provides hours of challenging gameplay that will test your reflexes and resolve. On the negative side, its punishing nature, overlong levels, and general opacity can prove more frustrating than rewarding.
For the price -- which is undoubtedly nice -- those with a keen interest in side-scrollers should check out Volgarr the Viking II. They should stretch for the bundle edition and play both back-to-back if possible. If this newest entry succeeds, who's to say that a third Volgarr game won't be made? Better yet, it's likely that even more additions will be made that will continue to refine this scrappy franchise. Go forth, master the arts, and challenge yourself to become the greatest warrior. Once that's done, you may be ready for Contra or Battletoads.
Volgarr the Viking II is straightforward, challenging, and addictive. Its levels and mechanics are sharply honed to allow players to perfect their usage of Volgarr’s limited toolkit while traversing stages that ask them to utilize it in a myriad of different ways. There’s more variety, more for the player to earn and discover, and perhaps most importantly, more options than ever for players to tailor the experience to a level of difficulty they’re more comfortable with.
Much like the first game, Volgarr the Viking II is a satisfying retro romp that will test your skills and patience.
Volgarr the Viking II is sometimes unfair, but it’s a throwback to the 8 and 16-bit platformers it is so clearly inspired by. It’s a game that requires precision, patience, and practice. It’s a straightforward game that has multiple endings to encourage replayability, but is a game that’s more about the journey than the destination. Volgarr the Viking II is a hardcore and uncompromising sequel that delivers.