Volgarr the Viking is a trip back to the old NES games like Castlevania 1, Megaman 1, Hudson's Adventure Island , Ninja Gaiden (1, 2, 3), Ghosts N' Goblins and Ghouls N' Ghosts. The game play is identical to those games being that you will need to play it repeatedly in order to learn the level and get past it. There are no saves and no extra lives, but you have only 2-hits to spare only if you acquire the shield and helmet. If you die, you will be sent back to the beginning of the level.
The graphics and design are a nod to the old 1987 Taito game, Rastan. The first part of the first level is somewhat identical to Rastan's first level. And you can even find Rastan's dead old bones complete with gear and sword in the background...I guess Volgarr's game was too difficult for him :D
The graphics are exactly what you'd expect from a 16-bit platform game. They have a nice realistic, but cartoon look which I like. The animations for the characters are stiff, but this is mimicking those old NES and SNES games which had the same animations. The levels are interestingly designed and each have a specific theme. The controls are also similar to the old NES games I mentioned above. They are tight and the double jumping lets you have some flexibility in controlling the jump. Only well skilled gamers will be able to be creative with Volgarr's type of jumping. The epic type music is really amazing. I wish the soundtrack was included with the game. It makes me feel like I'm watching a Conan the Barbarian movie. The only modern enhancements of the game that I noticed are some complex transparencies on Volgarr's fire sword and the ability to pan the screen out.
Overall, it is fun game to try to master and when you do it is really satisfying. It took me a day to finish it with repeated tries. After you finish the game by going through the easy path it will hint to you about a hard path, the "Valkyrie Path". Thus the game has some replay value.
This game is for elite gamers only.
