Viking: Battle for Asgard

Despite a slow start, Viking quickly picks up speed until you’re smashing your way through the game. Short and sweet, this is a hack ‘n’ slash with a twist that’s fun to play. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and the linear quality to the game may put you off another play through…

For a company that’s in the middle of redefining its main franchise, it probably comes as no surprise that Creative Assembly’s Viking is as ‘safe’ as it is mythical. Whilst not being the most ground-breaking of action/adventure RPGs, like Spartan: Total Warrior before it, Viking certainly has its charm.

Based in ‘Midgard’, the mortal realm of men from Norse mythology, Viking has you travelling through three islands on a mission to take back man’s dominion from the evil forces of Hel - a rather good looking goddess on a power trip. Aiding you is the equally attractive Goddess Freya, ruler of Midgard. The basic theme of the game is to free any brethren held captive by Hel, and kick the ‘Legion’ back into the underworld.

Anyone with preconceptions of how this game might play out is in for a bit of a surprise. There is no flashy opening with fire and brimstone, despite the pre-rendered 3D images on the box. Instead the beginning sequence is a more subtle affair: a mix between the narrative style and in-game cinematics of Fable, and the storyboard imagery of 300.

Indeed, anyone thinking this game will be a simple hack ‘n’ slash will also be surprised. Stealth elements are frequently added into the game, usually in the form of quests that require you to sneak in and out of strongholds instead of killing everything in plain sight. Paired with some other features it proves to make a more dynamic game.

The combat system can take some getting used to if you’re unfamiliar with the dynamics – a button combo system similar to God of War. However as you play, you realise that half of the game’s fun-factor comes from this system: pulling off a successful combo is certainly satisfying – especially when it goes into a slow motion death-blow sequence, again in true 300 style.

On the other hand, sometimes it goes a bit too far – especially when all you want to do is open a crate or use a teleporter. The action, or ‘do things’ command, is attributed to the ‘B’ button in this game and you may well find yourself sick and tired of mashing it just to do simple things. A commendable attempt at getting you more involved with the mundane, but still pretty annoying.

Graphically, Viking is stunning. The backgrounds are well defined, and the texture of your surroundings is detailed down to a single blade of grass: realism is the tone. However everything does look a tad ‘shiny’, like the cell-shaded effect you could see on 13 or Wind Waker. It really depends on your tastes whether you like it or not.

Apart from combat and quests, Viking has little else to offer in terms of mini-games, side-quests, or any other form of game mechanic. Barring quest items, gold is the only thing you can find in jars or chests. Finding ale barrels enables you to trade for more gold, but it’s pretty basic. Upgrades are few and mostly focus around combat, and there are only two methods of travel: walking and using ‘leystones’.

This simplistic theme does nothing to harm the game, but it does nothing to flesh it out either.

As mentioned before, the game’s fun comes in two halves, both to do with combat. The other half of the fun in this game is derived from the quests, and the different situations those quests put you in. Freeing a group of Vikings is simple enough, but the real juicy bit is when they ask you to ambush a horde of baddies before they agree to join you. These choreographed sequences are one of two of such sequences that really make this game stand out from both its predecessor and the rest of the genre in general.

The second type of sequence is really what sold the game in the first place – large scale RTS type battles in a third person action style. To trigger one of these epic clashes, you must first complete quests, raise an army, and do the usual preparations. Once all the conditions have been satisfied, it’s time for the main event…

The forces of good are always the attacking side. Your army lines up in front of the town gates, whilst the enemy’s own battle lines sally forth to confront you. Both sides posses ‘shamans' that resurrect more troops for their particular side. The way to win is to kill the shamans, thus driving your enemy back into the town where you begin the process again.

You can gain advantages over your enemies by using special powers or by calling on dragons. It’s easily the best bit of the game, and these events usually serve as a climax for that particular section of the game.

All in all, Viking is fun. Whilst a bit slow to start, the game certainly picks up pace and any disappointment you may feel at the beginning gradually fades away as it grows on you. Unfortunately, since it only spouts two difficulty levels and little leeway on how you actually go about playing the game, its life-span is short. Be prepared to find yourself trading it back in for something else before too long.

Note: Sorry for popping up randomly with this. I've decided I want to become a Video Games Journalist, and so this is me practicing. I'll try and start posting more regularly from now on. (If i hear anyone utter the "If i had a penny" line, I'm going to gut them like a fish...)