Völgarr the Viking

[Mischief Maker]

Although the official release is tomorrow, I preordered and my humble store copy was ready to download

My first impressions:

Although it's meant to be a 2-button affair, I appreciate that they give the option to set dedicated buttons for spear attack (up+attack) and roll (down+jump).

I've watched a ton of youtube videos of this game in action and... kind of like how digital looks like garbage compared to film, seeing this game run at a full 60fps makes it look worse, unfortunately.

Love the Rastan-style slash and keep moving.

The art design has some real head scratchers. For insance, the 1st level boss, a giant lizard with a club, has a 2-frame attack animation: raised, and hitting the ground. However, that club strike clearly has an arc that can hit volgarr mid-jump. Would have liked to at least have some kind of "whoosh" effect in its wake so you know where the safe zone begins.

The enemies on their own aren't that hard, it's when they're combined with tricky jump puzzles that they become a real threat. In fact, the enemy swarms are kind of the "breather" sections of levels. It certainly is cathartic to needle 5 monsters at once with a charged spear.

[GaijinPunch]

kind of like how digital looks like garbage compared to film, seeing this game run at a full 60fps makes it look worse, unfortunately.

Bummer. As little a the promo video got me excited, it still looks like more fun than most other releases I've seen these days. Is it a 1CC style, or something you have to play for hours on end and save to get through?

[Mischief Maker]

kind of like how digital looks like garbage compared to film, seeing this game run at a full 60fps makes it look worse, unfortunately.

Bummer. As little a the promo video got me excited, it still looks like more fun than most other releases I've seen these days. Is it a 1CC style, or something you have to play for hours on end and save to get through?

It's meant as an arcade-difficult 1CC game, albeit one that throws a bone to the QTE generation.

There are 2 paths through the game. The easy path has unlimited lives, but only one checkpoint per level. The hard path has limited lives and an extra level.

I forgot to mention that I'm having lots of fun with it.

Check out this trailer to confirm the game's intended style.

[Sir Ilpalazzo]

kind of like how digital looks like garbage compared to film, seeing this game run at a full 60fps makes it look worse, unfortunately.

Bummer. As little a the promo video got me excited, it still looks like more fun than most other releases I've seen these days. Is it a 1CC style, or something you have to play for hours on end and save to get through?

The developers posted an answer to that here. Normally, you have infinite lives / continues, but it's possible to make it to a more difficult "special" path, which limits the amount of lives you have. Running out of lives there will send you back to the normal path, and completing the entire game on the special path will let you go to the final stage.

[GaijinPunch]

Well, I tip my hats to them for that, actually.

I assume it's PC only which leaves me out for now.

[EmperorIng]

The game looks like it improved dramatically since its kickstarter trailer.

I love anything Rastan-style so I'll probably pick this up.

[BrianC]

Sounds interesting. I like what I played of the 3DS Shinobi and this sounds like great fun.

[evil_ash_xero]

These indi games never do much for me. They always seem like throwbacks to old games. That's OK by me, but only if they equal or surpass the old games. Which they don't really tend to do.

I'm also tired of seeing Super Metroid clones(this isn't one, I know).

[Mischief Maker]

These indi games never do much for me. They always seem like throwbacks to old games. That's OK by me, but only if they equal or surpass the old games. Which they don't really tend to do.

I'm also tired of seeing Super Metroid clones(this isn't one, I know).

Dunno how to address your concerns, as this clearly is meant as a throwback to the trio of Rastan, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, and Castlevania. I definitely think this game is better than Rastan, though I preferred Rastan's art style. Here is an image comparing the maps of Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts to the maps in Volgarr.

Unlike most indie developers, the guys who made this game are industry veterans and most of the games they've made have become cult hits (eg. The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night for GBA, Spiderman: Web of Shadows for DS, and Shinobi for 3DS). So this isn't an inexperienced bedroom programmer trying to copy a game, it's a pair of experienced developers making a labor of love, and it shows.

[GSK]

Wow, this game is legit. Genuinely surprised at how fun and well-designed it is. The visuals could definitely use some work, but I'd still recommend it to anyone who's into these sorts of action games (ideally, everyone would be).

Kinda makes me wanna give Shinobi 3DS another shot...

[hermit crab]

This game is ace!

While I understand the criticisms toward the graphics, I kind of like them. They remind me of some old PC shareware games (like really old Epic titles etc). Especially if you turn off the filter and use a low resolution.

Highly recommended.

[Damocles]

This game is ace!

While I understand the criticisms toward the graphics, I kind of like them. They remind me of some old PC shareware games (like really old Epic titles etc). Especially if you turn off the filter and use a low resolution.

Highly recommended.

This game reminds me of an old DOS game. The name I can't remember but you could choose between a male and female warrior. I had it on shareware and I wish I could remember the name.

[hermit crab]

This game is ace!

While I understand the criticisms toward the graphics, I kind of like them. They remind me of some old PC shareware games (like really old Epic titles etc). Especially if you turn off the filter and use a low resolution.

Highly recommended.

This game reminds me of an old DOS game. The name I can't remember but you could choose between a male and female warrior. I had it on shareware and I wish I could remember the name.

Realms Of Chaos? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOGYEtOK-3U

Can't really think of any others that would let you play as a man or woman.

[Damocles]

This game is ace!

While I understand the criticisms toward the graphics, I kind of like them. They remind me of some old PC shareware games (like really old Epic titles etc). Especially if you turn off the filter and use a low resolution.

Highly recommended.

This game reminds me of an old DOS game. The name I can't remember but you could choose between a male and female warrior. I had it on shareware and I wish I could remember the name.

Realms Of Chaos? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOGYEtOK-3U

Can't really think of any others that would let you play as a man or woman.

Oh hell yeah.

[iconoclast]

I've been playing this a lot over the last week or two. I think I'm pretty much done with the game, so I uploaded my best run here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqb6v7afpgc (Ending A, 22:11, 45k points - the current WR)

This is one of the best action/platformers I've ever played. My favorite thing about Volgarr is how it has something that most other games in the genre lack: a good scoring system that keeps you coming back long after you're able to 1cc or no miss the game. It's actually pretty simple, too - essentially, it's all about finding a balance between loot collection and speed running (with a huge emphasis on speed). It really helps you appreciate how much attention to detail went into the entire game when there are so many little tricks or shortcuts you can use to save time, because every second counts.

[Hagane]

Tried this for a bit, and it seems to be really good. Like others I find the graphics a tad poor, but it's fun. I like how you have a lot of freedom with move canceling despite the few buttons (like doing standing attack xx jump, spinning jump attack, downward thrust). I'll try to put a bit more time into it.

[CKR]

I really like this game. I love the spear wall mechanic. I'm steadily improving, and as I do my appreciation grows.

[Squire Grooktook]

Excellent game from what I've played so far. Definitely seems to be more of a "thinking mans" game rather than a reflex game, though I do like that there's some wiggle room for improvising out of bad situations if you mess up.

And yeah, the attention to detail in the stage designs are amazing.

[RegalSin]

Can't pass, first stage, keep dying. Game great, just way I like it,

Blood on my sword, everything that is not human ready to attack, you have armour upgrades. Makes me think of "Shape Shifter" but less built and more simple.

The only depressing part is that you can't buy it buy it. But seriously man, this deserve more attention.

...........................


Somebody mentioned realms of Choas.

In another thread, not to far away, I was mentioning problems I was having with things like extra big game areas. Back then ( I mean really really back then when the Amiga was normal ). Their was many games that had way too much space, and when they ported the games to consoles, they had to either resize the sprites and make them smaller, or make the actual gameplay area smaller.

Comparing games like "Realms of Chaos" or even "Vulgarr the Viking" to much later games on the newer consoles since the HD scene. They seem to have this big extra space that is annoying to see while your playing the actual game. Take "Sonic the Hedgehog WiiU vs 3DS". Clearly you can see the problems I am having. The PC games, have a fair amount of space for an Arcade, but that is just the thing, even the arcades have a smaller display, that makes the sprites look big and full.

.......................

Vulgar the Viking does it job, and decent. Not turn game into light show. I would put game up their with

Ghouls n Ghost
Ghouls n Goblins
Rastan Saga
Whatever that SeGA arcade is that is not alter beast

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Really, I like it.

[Squire Grooktook]

The only depressing part is that you can't buy it buy it.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/24724 ... 1_7_15__13

[Mischief Maker]

And if you don't like steam:

http://www.volgarrtheviking.com/

[drauch]

I know it's hard to decipher, but I assume he means a physical copy.

[Snake]

Really enjoying this game, but to its more of a memorizer than an action game. Taking your time is rewarded, and in trial and error is key to some of the platforming bits. The less-polished Tiny Barbarian is more action oriented, and the more-polished Maldita Castilla is somewhere in between.

I don't think games to to reinvent the genre as long as their quality holds up.

[Squire Grooktook]

It's definitely more oriented towards having a plan than reacting or improvising, though there is quite a lot of wiggle room with all the options you have. The only time the game really veers into "memorize or die" territory for me are some of the boss fights.

[iconoclast]

Taking your time is rewarded

You lose practically your entire bonus at the end of each stage if you take your time. The game's all about striking the perfect balance between going sanic fast and collecting the treasure chests.

[Snake]

Taking your time is rewarded

You lose practically your entire bonus at the end of each stage if you take your time. The game's all about striking the perfect balance between going sanic fast and collecting the treasure chests.

That's true. I was speaking in terms of survival but improvements to speed/score will also be based on exact knowledge of where everything is going to pop out and when. There must be an optimal path through each stage, than than generally sound tactics.


Also, Volgarr doesn't run so much as plod purposefully.

[blackoak]

I wish they had found a different balance with the checkpoints. I don't mind the long stages too much, but repeating the stages over and over just to learn that little inch more of the boss pattern killed the game for me. No doubt I could have watched a replay and imitated it easily, but I just don't enjoy platformers that way. stage 1 was reasonable, but after that...

imo, if you're going to have long levels without checkpoints, and no boss checkpoint either, you should make the bosses doable on the first or second run--use a mounting pressure mechanic rather than instant-death-memo (hard to do in a game like Volgarr, I realize).

[RegalSin]

The game is basically another Ghouls and Ghost. Like watch out for that, but beware the spikes.
Then when you get the armour, you look really cool ( in a 1980's pre-1995 kinda way ), but the down part is when you get hit once and all three pieces flies off. Then your back to your shield.

[Squire Grooktook]

Call me crazy but I don't think GNG is very memo at all. It's like EOSD or Eschatos in that the rng patterns are what kill you every time.

Anyway I partially agree with Blackoak in that the boss patterns kind of jump off the slippery slope into pure trial and error. The rest of the game feels a bit more forgiving and you have a decent shot at improvising, but after stage 1 all the bosses have a lot of cheap deaths that you can't really react to as far as I can tell. Definitely not a deal breaker for me though.

[gct]

And if you don't like steam:

http://www.volgarrtheviking.com/

It says you get a Steam key. If I buy it from the official website, is it still a Steam version?