To all of the courageous souls who’ve ventured into the world of Volgarr the Viking: I swear, I don’t hate you! In actual fact, I really like you! I do know the sport is difficult, and I perceive the frustration that comes with every defeat.
Nevertheless, there’s a technique to this insanity. I need to take you thru a number of the design selections that make Volgarr the Viking II not only a sport, however a studying expertise that hones abilities that I hope shall be relevant in your actual life.
Embracing the Problem
From the outset, our objective with Volgarr the Viking II was to create an expertise paying homage to basic 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 imagine within the worth of a hard-earned victory – the sort that leaves you with a way of accomplishment.
Studying By Failure
One of many core design philosophies behind the Volgarr the Viking sequence is that failure is a stepping stone to success. Every demise is a lesson, every impediment a chance to refine your abilities. The sport’s issue is just not meant to punish, however to show.
By going through powerful, pattern-based enemies mixed with static handcrafted stage designs, gamers develop a deeper understanding of sport 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 specific amount of delight that comes from overcoming challenges, feeling good and understanding you’ll be able to take no matter is thrown at you.
Deliberate Design Decisions
I actually wished gamers to not simply see this philosophy within the design of Volgarr the Viking II, however perceive it by taking part in it. At first look, a number of the challenges within the sport may really feel like they’re tough for issue’s sake, however each facet has been meticulously crafted to problem gamers whereas fostering their development. Let me drill down on some examples:
Controls: I wished to make the controls easy to grasp, however additionally they needed to really feel tight, responsive, and predictable. That’s the important thing to giving gamers the flexibility 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 means to anticipate and react. That’s not only a good ability for gaming – that’s an amazing ability for all times.
Restricted Sources: Well being and lives are restricted; weapons, armor, and power-ups will be misplaced. By encouraging cautious planning and useful resource administration, I need to train gamers to be strategic, weighing dangers and advantages earlier than performing.
No Hand-holding: There are not 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. All the things a participant must find out about beat the sport is achieved earlier than they encounter their very first enemy. As they play, they may discover ways 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 imagine that it’s honest. Each problem will be overcome with the fitting strategy; completely different gamers could take a distinct period of time to find it, however they may 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 widespread 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 palms. The perseverance required to sort out our sport can translate to a better sense of confidence in going through challenges each in gaming and in life. The repeated cycle of making an attempt, failing, and finally succeeding builds a mindset geared in 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 Neighborhood of Warriors
Lastly, we designed Volgarr the Viking II with the hope of fostering a neighborhood of gamers who assist 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 limitations to your individual potential.
So, to all our gamers: On the finish of the day, video video games are imagined 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 imagine in you. Embrace the issue, study from it, and let Volgarr the Viking II be the forge during 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 comparable to 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 web site.
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 every part and one false transfer can spell a brutal demise. Gamers of the unique sport 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 stage of issue as the unique, Volgarr the Viking II additionally (mercifully, begrudgingly) presents trendy quality-of-life choices comparable to checkpoints, save states, and an undead mode. You determine how punishing your quest needs to be – however now anybody generally is a viking!
With new and bigger worlds impressed by Norse mythology, a number of endings, and quite a lot of ruthless bosses to overcome, Volgarr the Viking II expands and improves on the unique in each manner. Draw your sword, don your helmet, and chop your manner via this violent viking journey!