Platforms: PC
Genre: Action, Mythology, Roguelite, Story Rich, Base-Building

Sons of Valhalla combines classic 2D side-scrolling combat with strategic base-building, offering an experience that is akin to Ratropolis, but without the deck-building mechanics. Developed by Pixel Chest and published by Hooded Horse, this title marks the debut of the developer in the gaming world.

King of the Vikings

Sons of Valhalla revolves around the exploits of Thorald Olavson, a protagonist on a quest to track down a Jarl who torched his valuable town, abducted his beloved, and absconded to England. Driven by the shared desire for vengeance, Thorald embarks on a perilous journey to rescue his beloved. However, his quest takes an unexpected turn when he sinks to the depths of the ocean. Miraculously, he is resurrected by Odin, who entrusts him with the formidable task of completing his mission and side mission of Odin as well.

While the narrative may come across as cliche, it effectively sets the stage for the adventure that lies ahead. What initially piqued my interest was the voice-acting component. To my surprise, the voice acting in Sons of Valhalla is commendable, providing an immersive experience that fits perfectly with the game’s theme.

The primary focus is on constructing and actively managing towns while effectively defending them from enemies. While it is essential to produce as many resources as possible, there is the option to plunder neighbouring villages to acquire necessary items. It is essential to fortify your own base, as it may become the target of raids and attacks. With your resources, whether acquired through legitimate means or through pillaging, you need to recruit a force of troops to lead into combat. As the leader of Vikings, it is your duty to be among the first warriors to charge into the fray. Therefore, it is crucial to practice regularly with your weapons to enhance your combat abilities.

When you achieve victory or defeat a boss, you will receive random rune drops. These runes can be utilized to enhance your abilities in combat. Furthermore, if you lose your life, you will lose one rune.

Fans of the genre will undoubtedly appreciate the retro game design and visuals, as they contribute to the added day and night cycle and weather changes from sunshine to storms. The soundtracks and background music, on the other hand, play a vital role in enhancing the immersive experience. A lot of effort has been put into creating a captivating auditory landscape that complements the gameplay.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the base itself undergoes significant changes as players add and upgrade it. You can actually witness the process of wood being cut and the fishing activities carried out by inhabitants, which adds a nice touch of realism and provides visually appealing details for players to enjoy. These small details contribute to the game’s overall aesthetic, making it all the more enjoyable to explore and engage with.

Hell-bent Adventure

The mode options in Sons of Valhalla, while initially appealing, possess a certain flaw. The available modes are Easy, Normal, Hard, and Hel. Having tested both Easy and Normal, I have found it difficult to grasp them effectively, especially when faced with the relentless onslaught of enemies targeting my base, ultimately knocking out its fortified defences. Despite the simplicity evident within the tutorial, which even someone like me, as a new player, was able to comprehend, the responsibility of safeguarding my base, recruiting troops, training recruits, and ensuring a steady supply of resources ultimately falls on my shoulders as the sole leader. There were instances where I found myself having to roll back and forth between my two bases, ensuring their safety. However, despite these shortcomings, Sons of Valhalla offers endless entertainment for fans of this genre.

Sons of Valhalla successfully achieves a delicate balance between the action and real-time strategy elements, but it may be overwhelming for players who are not accustomed to this hybrid genre. Despite the difficulty level options, it can be frustrating for new players to endure the game and constantly lose and regain a base in repetitive cycles.

Pros

• Awesome voice acting.
• Stunning graphics and feels immersive.
• Great storyline.

Cons

• Difficulty level options are not catered towards new players, especially the Easy mode.
• Random Rune drops (may make the game easier or harder than it already is).

Final Score: 60/100

Sons of Valhalla was reviewed on PC based on a review copy provided by the publisher. It is slated to be released for PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store on 5 April 2024.