Volgarr the Viking

 Xbox One
User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 46
  3. Negative: 12 out of 46

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  1. AUDIOS1AVE
    Dec 11, 2014
    8
    It's a very fun game but is very challenging and limited on checkpoints. Which can make the game frustrating. But if your a fan of arcade games I think it is a must have if you get it for free and are a fan of the genre.
  2. xsonwong
    Nov 24, 2014
    7
    It is a hardcore platformer game with precise controls and good level design.
    You will die easily like flappy bird, but the control is consist and you won't complain it as a bad game.
    Some secrets in each level which may make you play easier.
    A challenging game!
  3. lukek85
    Nov 1, 2014
    8
    Very addicting game, it does feel like an old "good times" game, so if you like the genre you're going to enjoy it. My only complaint is with the way too limited number of checkpoints, which forces you to replay half a level if you lose against the final monster. If you're getting it for free with Games with Gold, it's definitely worth a shot!
  4. settledown64
    Nov 13, 2014
    8
    This game is great. Very challenging but rewarding, precise controls, and varied enemies. This game isn't very forgiving because you're supposed to complete it in one sitting, but it is a lot of fun if you put in the effort. There are plenty of secrets hidden in the levels, and you'll learn new things about the game every time you play it. Definitely worth it.
  5. John718
    Nov 4, 2015
    2
    I respected the developers' vision they set out to accomplish by making a game "Challenging" but challenging doesn't have to be frustrating, unfair, limited to one difficulty mode, and plain and simple not encouraging at all to see the end because of its brutal setbacks every time your character dies. I understand this game was designed for a market of gamers that prefers this type ofI respected the developers' vision they set out to accomplish by making a game "Challenging" but challenging doesn't have to be frustrating, unfair, limited to one difficulty mode, and plain and simple not encouraging at all to see the end because of its brutal setbacks every time your character dies. I understand this game was designed for a market of gamers that prefers this type of difficulty, but why not provide additional easier modes for those that just want to enjoy the title the developer worked so hard to complete that could have been incorporated let's say by dying 12x in a row or other intuitive ways....why alienate sales from the very same people that could have helped them fund sequels. One thing for sure is....when you limit your sales, you are limiting your income.… Expand
  6. gdutton
    Jan 28, 2015
    2
    Just terrible!!! Why do 'they' think we would pay money for tired old games like this?? I don't really see any redeeming features at all! You would be better off dragging out your old 16 bit game system!
  7. dustfurfaro
    Nov 13, 2014
    0
    I remember when the limit was something amounted to this.
    Its not retro, it's lazy...
    The 80s had excuses for games like this, simple gameplay that was easy to code (patching game bugs is a long way off), simple mechanics that the hardware could handle, and in the case of arcades a way to get us reprobates off the streets and wasting out pocket money. 30 Years later, I demand a game    I remember when the limit was something amounted to this.
    Its not retro, it's lazy...
    The 80s had excuses for games like this, simple gameplay that was easy to code (patching game bugs is a long way off), simple mechanics that the hardware could handle, and in the case of arcades a way to get us reprobates off the streets and wasting out pocket money.
    30 Years later, I demand a game that stimulates me like a good book, or a good film. There are some wonderful puzzle games and platform games as well, please don't get me wrong. But just taking something like the early parallax scrolling games and just adding extra colour to them.
    Personally I find it insulting, and if you're a kid, you're never going to get that experience in this day and age, if you want to experience retro gaming, pick up an old arcade ROM, BBC micro, or Atari 2600, as this does not do it any justice.
    Its just lazy, and not worth the price I paid; I feel ripped off and I got it as part of the Games for Gold.
    Not a worthwhile outing for a next gen, state of the art(!), games dedicated(!) console.    … Expand
  8. DrMalito
    Nov 3, 2014
    3
    Really ? 8 Bit in a new Generation Console... mmmm if you really want to rule the video game market, don't insult our intelligence.
    Is it worth it, does it bring something new or at least is as good as any SNES game ?
  9. Slowbots
    Nov 1, 2014
    1
    Yet another 8bit jumpy platformer that is susposed to bring back memories of the good old days when games were difficult, but this drivel does that by providing horrible controls, overly long animation for everything the hero does and one hit kills.

    It´s free so it gets plus two points and ends with one point.

    Avoid like the plague.
  10. azgoodaz
    Jul 8, 2015
    7
    I will keep this short. This game was free for Games for Gold on Xbox One back in 2014, I played it and I sucked at it. I got suck on level 2 or even 1 and I quit the game and uninstalled it. If you like challenging games, then get this.
  11. Troublewalking
    Nov 23, 2014
    5
    I'm kind of disappointed in these retro Xbox One games. Most of them can't recapture the day, as gamers these days aren't particularly interested in a new retro franchise. The new designers also seem to forget story and giving us an epic adventure. Instead they just go for the "Kung-Fu" 8 levels and rinse and repeat games. Which means if the game doesn't have a huge hook to get youI'm kind of disappointed in these retro Xbox One games. Most of them can't recapture the day, as gamers these days aren't particularly interested in a new retro franchise. The new designers also seem to forget story and giving us an epic adventure. Instead they just go for the "Kung-Fu" 8 levels and rinse and repeat games. Which means if the game doesn't have a huge hook to get you addicted, you won't stick with it too long. I would much rather spend $59 for 100 untouched full versions of retro classics. Kind of like Nintendo did for the "remix" series. Except I want the full game, not a sample of the game as a mini game.

    Volgarr is kind of challenging, and kind of like a retro game, but it doesn't have any of that 80's retro addictive play. So it will probably quickly find you calling it a day. I find the upgrading armor to be annoying. 2 upgrades (clearing to a chest without taking any damage) give you a better shield, but one hit, takes your shield away. Instead of downgrading to your original shield.

    If I had paid for it, I would be upset. However, it was free for me as part of my gold membership and it's a decent retro game, as a freebie. Just an extra game, to give your guest something to do, when they visit. But something only someone truly interested in a new "retro" game would want.    … Expand
  12. Gman2142
    Nov 17, 2014
    0
    I really don't want to give this a 1 out of 10, but really this game is sad. I know that ghosts and goblins was a really great game, but this is on the xbox one, and compared to other games, this is extremely sad.
  13. Gumse10012
    Feb 23, 2016
    8
    This is a really good game, not a perfect game... but definetly not such a bad game as a lot of people on this site is voting it as.. It makes me so sad to see that people are rating it so poorly... :( the people rating it 1 and 0 are clearly just really bad at this game...

    Is it a difficult game? yes, it may be a challenge so be prepared if you're considering buying it. However, dont    This is a really good game, not a perfect game... but definetly not such a bad game as a lot of people on this site is voting it as.. It makes me so sad to see that people are rating it so poorly... :( the people rating it 1 and 0 are clearly just really bad at this game...

    Is it a difficult game? yes, it may be a challenge so be prepared if you're considering buying it. However, dont let the impatient call of duty gamers... scare you away from this amazing title hehe :3

    it's really old school and actually really fun, but it could've been really nice if they had made an easy mode option to the gamers who aren't patient enough to take on a challenge.

    btw im really sorry if my english is a little poorly, it's not my primary language.    … Expand
  14. Nova_shino
    May 15, 2015
    0
    where shovel night represents everything good with classic NES platformers, volgarr represents everything Bad with classic NES platformers.

    Besides the story being only explained after the entire game is over, and only explained in detail if you rack up a good score, volgarr stars everything that made gamers cry in rage during the NES era. a stiff and uncontrollable jump with    where shovel night represents everything good with classic NES platformers, volgarr represents everything Bad with classic NES platformers.

    Besides the story being only explained after the entire game is over, and only explained in detail if you rack up a good score, volgarr stars everything that made gamers cry in rage during the NES era. a stiff and uncontrollable jump with platforming requiring precision impossible with the controls, fast enemies and a protagonist that would make simon belmont look like the usain bolt, delays to attacks where one second can be the difference between you keeping an important item and being killed, and praised for just pulling **** that other games have tried and getting away with every unbearable second of it, volgarr the viking is not a game for hardcore players, its a game for idiot players who want a pass into the hardcore club where all they do is sit around complaining about how everything is easy and how casuals are ruining everything.    … Expand
  15. xp-dracon
    Apr 16, 2015
    6
    Very much a clone (and welcomed adaptation) to the arcade classic, "Rastan". Unfortunately, the game is also just as impossible to progress through. "Volgarr" is far too difficult off the bat to be enjoyable, at least from my perspective. The nostalgia alone made me give it a 6.
  16. Stevesitz
    Jan 14, 2015
    7
    Fun game with a retro feel in all senses: graphics, music, limited checkpoints and DIFFICULTY! Defiantly and 'acquired taste' kind of game, but if you love retro hack and slash games, then this will be right up your alley. Game can be frustrating with lots of 'trial and error' that will have you playing the same entire level over and over again. Once you get past how hard the game canFun game with a retro feel in all senses: graphics, music, limited checkpoints and DIFFICULTY! Defiantly and 'acquired taste' kind of game, but if you love retro hack and slash games, then this will be right up your alley. Game can be frustrating with lots of 'trial and error' that will have you playing the same entire level over and over again. Once you get past how hard the game can be it really is fun and rewarding. Very limited replay with only one game mode, one difficulty and no online capabilities.… Expand
  17. albanshqiptar
    Jun 30, 2015
    7
    This game is pretty hard. But that is why its appealing. The controls are tight but the jumping seems a bit cheap because you can't change direction in mid-air. The game doesn't have a good story but the levels and challenge and enemy variety keep the rating up.
  18. Twistedretro
    Jun 21, 2018
    4
    Plenty of games have successfully emulated the presentation and gameplay of a sidescrolling classic. Shovel Knight, Bloodstained, Cave Story, Shantae, and the fantastic remake of Wonder Boy 3: The Dragon's Trap are all fine examples. Volgarr the Viking, however, ultimately falls short and it's not something I can easily recommend.

    To be fair, it is as advertised (upon reading the store    Plenty of games have successfully emulated the presentation and gameplay of a sidescrolling classic. Shovel Knight, Bloodstained, Cave Story, Shantae, and the fantastic remake of Wonder Boy 3: The Dragon's Trap are all fine examples. Volgarr the Viking, however, ultimately falls short and it's not something I can easily recommend.

    To be fair, it is as advertised (upon reading the store description, you can see that this is a game that jerks itself off on how difficult it is, much like Super Meat Boy). That's not the problem, nor is the control. Most of the reviews I've read or skimmed often bring up that the controls are terrible, but I'm willing to bet these people haven't played Ghouls n Ghosts or Castlevania. Both games had "stiff" jumping mechanics, meaning you could only jump straight up or in a fixed arc left or right. This meant you couldn't change direction once the jump was initiated. Volgarr handles much the same, which is perfectly fine. As long as you've played either of the games I've mentioned, you'll feel right at home.

    Where Crazy Viking Studio really screwed up in my opinion is the checkpoint placement. Either these guys haven't heard of them, or they're just sadistic because there are NO checkpoints whatsoever between sections of each world. If the level design wasn't so heavily based on trial and error and the concept of seeing just a bit more of what's ahead after every death, this wouldn't have been so bad. Having to go through a five to ten minute board swarming with enemies, death traps that require pixel perfect precision to get through and THEN fight a boss all on one life (maximum of three hits if you're lucky and can keep your armor) is ridiculous. Even some of the games Volgarr is trying to emulate were more reasonable- there would either be a checkpoint midway through the stage or one relatively close to the boss should you die fighting it.

    It's like the developers wanted to set out and make a challenging game, but didn't really study what the classics did well (and tweak what didn't). The end result is a game that just feels like a cheap cash-in on the nostalgia craze.

    In 2018, there are just so many better choices for around the same price range if you want a challenging retro-inspired romp. I'd advise checking out Cursed Castilla in particular if you're looking for something along the lines of Ghouls n Ghosts, as there's a hell of a lot more production value for around the same price, and it injects some modern sensibilities into its source materials' formula while still being super difficult.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Brash Games
    Sep 19, 2016
    70
    It’s a very solid game that will challenge you but it’s not cheap or unfair.
    Read full review
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Feb 15, 2015
    60
    Hard is cool these days, but Volgarr simply isn't all that much fun. [Issue#119, p.73]
  3. GameCritics
    Dec 1, 2014
    95
    Volgarr the Viking is an amazing accomplishment. Its developers have taken the skeleton of a classic title and transformed it into the greatest game the 80s never produced.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »