To all of the courageous souls who’ve ventured into the world of Volgarr the Viking: I swear, I don’t hate you! Actually, I like you! I do know the sport is difficult, and I perceive the frustration that comes with every defeat.
Nonetheless, there’s a technique to this insanity. I wish to take you thru a few of the design selections that make Volgarr the Viking II not only a recreation, however a studying expertise that hones abilities that I hope shall be relevant in your actual life.
Embracing the Problem
From the outset, our purpose with Volgarr the Viking II was to create an expertise harking back to traditional arcade and platform video games – titles that demanded precision, timing, and perseverance. Rising up in a navy household and serving within the navy myself, I consider within the worth of a hard-earned victory – the sort that leaves you with a way of accomplishment.
Studying Via Failure
One of many core design philosophies behind the Volgarr the Viking collection is that failure is a stepping stone to success. Every dying is a lesson, every impediment a possibility to refine your abilities. The sport’s issue is just not meant to punish, however to show.
By dealing with powerful, pattern-based enemies mixed with static handcrafted degree designs, gamers develop a deeper understanding of recreation mechanics, study to strategize, and enhance their reflexes. That is an precise train that trains psychological acuity and connection to real-world motor abilities. There’s a certain quantity of pleasure that comes from overcoming challenges, feeling good and understanding you possibly can take no matter is thrown at you.
Deliberate Design Selections
I actually wished gamers to not simply see this philosophy within the design of Volgarr the Viking II, however perceive it by enjoying it. At first look, a few of the challenges within the recreation would possibly really feel like they’re tough for issue’s sake, however each facet has been meticulously crafted to problem gamers whereas fostering their progress. Let me drill down on some examples:
Controls: I wished to make the controls easy to grasp, however in addition they needed to really feel tight, responsive, and predictable. That’s the important thing to giving gamers the power to execute actions with precision. Mastering these controls is rewarding in its personal proper, but additionally helps develop abilities that gamers can apply to different motion video games as nicely.
Sample Recognition: Enemies and traps comply with set patterns. Recognizing and memorizing these patterns hones your observational abilities and enhances your capacity to anticipate and react. That’s not only a good talent for gaming – that’s an important talent for all times.
Restricted Assets: Well being and lives are restricted; weapons, armor, and power-ups could be misplaced. By encouraging cautious planning and useful resource administration, I wish to educate gamers to be strategic, weighing dangers and advantages earlier than performing.
No Hand-holding: There aren’t any extreme tutorials or hints in Volgarr the Viking II. That’s so gamers will study by doing – exploring and experimenting, fostering a way of curiosity and independence. It’s about trusting the participant’s intelligence and talent to study via expertise. The whole lot a participant must learn about how you can beat the sport is achieved earlier than they encounter their very first enemy. As they play, they are going to learn to use these abilities on the proper instances – and that’s extremely rewarding.
Punishing however Honest: I freely acknowledge that Volgarr the Viking II is hard, however I additionally consider that it’s truthful. Each problem could be overcome with the proper method; totally different gamers could take a special period of time to find it, however they are going to get there. I all the time need success to really feel deserved and motivating; failures are inevitable, however I by no means need the participant to really feel that the sport is dishonest them.
You’ve noticed the frequent thread by now: Volgarr the Viking II goals to construct a extra resilient and decided gamer, but additionally give them abilities that may assist them when there’s not a controller of their fingers. The perseverance required to deal with our recreation can translate to a better sense of confidence in dealing with challenges each in gaming and in life. The repeated cycle of attempting, failing, and ultimately succeeding builds a mindset geared in the direction of steady enchancment and resilience – and that may be utilized to something. I’ve discovered this to be true in my life and, via my video games, I hope to encourage others to find that in themselves, too.
A Group of Warriors
Lastly, we designed Volgarr the Viking II with the hope of fostering a neighborhood of gamers who help and encourage one another. Sharing methods, triumphs, and even frustrations can create a bond amongst gamers, making the journey much less lonely and extra rewarding. Collectively, you kind a tribe of modern-day Vikings, conquering not simply the sport, however the obstacles to your individual potential.
So, to all our gamers: On the finish of the day, video video games are speculated to be enjoyable, and I enormously hope you discover enjoyment in Volgarr the Viking II. But in addition know that the problem is intentional and crafted with care. I don’t hate you; quite the opposite, I consider in you. Embrace the problem, study from it, and let Volgarr the Viking II be the forge by which your gaming abilities are sharpened to perfection. Skål!
Kristofor Durrschmidt is the CEO and co-founder of Loopy Viking Studios, in addition to the previous artistic director of Digital Eclipse’s Bothell studio. Along with the unique Volgarr the Viking, which is celebrating ten years as an indie hit, Kris has labored on over 30games in his profession for almost each main writer resembling Activision-Blizzard , Sega, Nintendo, THQ, Disney, Konami, Capcom, SNK, and extra.
Volgarr the Viking II is accessible for Xbox One and Xbox Sequence X|S. Get each video games within the franchise with the Volgarr the Viking I & II Bundle. For extra data on the sport, take a look at the official website.
Volgarr the Viking II
Digital Eclipse
$19.99
$15.99
The Return of the (Vi)king
Greater than a decade after Volgarr the Viking’s chaotic, difficult debut, the barbarian king’s story continues in an uncompromising new kind.
Volgarr the Viking II is a hardcore, 2D action-platformer the place precision is the whole lot and one false transfer can spell a brutal dying. Gamers of the unique recreation will really feel proper at dwelling on this relentless voyage, even with the addition of latest power-ups, new types of magic, new enemy sorts, and a chest-thumping new soundtrack.
Whereas the sequel delivers the identical unforgiving Eighties-arcade degree of issue as the unique, Volgarr the Viking II additionally (mercifully, begrudgingly) presents fashionable quality-of-life choices resembling checkpoints, save states, and an undead mode. You resolve how punishing your quest ought to be – however now anybody is usually a viking!
With new and bigger worlds impressed by Norse mythology, a number of endings, and a wide range of ruthless bosses to beat, Volgarr the Viking II expands and improves on the unique in each approach. Draw your sword, don your helmet, and chop your approach via this violent viking journey!