Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), Xbox Series, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 Nintendo Switch
Genre: 2D retro-style action, viking, 80s

Contra. Ghost & Goblins. R-Type. 2D games that feature arcade-style challenges where your character can only get hit once before losing a life, sometimes sending you back to the beginning of the last checkpoint which could be minutes of progress lost. These are the 80s and 90s games that make a good collective of us get good in the hobby, as well as appreciate the brevity they offer.

Add Volgarr The Viking II to that list of brutal games, only in this case, this Digital Eclipse-made game decides to add a lot more to make the journey a lot less bearable despite the fact that even the most challenging games of this generation (and of a particular neo-retro style) have quality-of-life toggles to ease the intended frustration.

An Axe To Grind

The beauty of short 2D games is that they cut straight to the chase and know when to bow out. For as difficult as they get (for arcade-era quarter-munching reasons), they are quick to go through once you memorize the lay of the land and enemies. The five colourful worlds of Volgarr The Viking II just feel like they go on and on, as well as never let up.

To its credit, dealing with Volgarr’s limited moveset is the game’s best part. To get through certain obstacles in the long viking trek requires you to be nimble, cheap, and block-ready. Volgarr can nullify most attacks with his shield, so you need to practice being in neutral before counter-attacking. Plus, his spear projectiles can be stuck onto walls to become makeshift platforms, adding new platform options for your left-to-right escapade. The power-up system from the 2013 original is back here, so you can collect new gear for Volgarr to withstand an additional hit (ala Ghost & Goblins).

While the action with your 2D viking and his sword-slashing shenanigans feel and control just fine, it’s the finer details and extras that help frustrate. You die in one hit. You cannot change jump trajectories once you’re in the air. When you die and respawn, you start off with no gear left.

You have to replay the game if you die a good amount of times and unlock “zombie” mode for Volgarr. When the game decides that you really suck at this, it gives you unlimited life mode where short of an instant-death bottomless pit fall, you can get hit without repercussions. Oh, and also lock the game to the worst ending you can get.

At the very least, you can learn how the whole game is laid out from this beginner-level playthrough, then go through it again in its original form. But you will also see how unnecessarily difficult and long-winded the game gets in its default state, to the point where you wish there were cheat codes for this.

The Barbarian Life

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. Just don’t expect much sympathy out of it, as it will really test your patience and whether your love for old-school platformers is just rose-tinted memories.

Final Score: 50/100