The nature of the setting lends itself to politicking, and to a degree, that's explored. That would be fine on its own, but a lot of that world-building crumbles with quest design, too. So much of the game is spent being a bit too pedantic about Norse culture for it to escape critique when it drops the pretense. Similarly, exploration and trade will outfit your fledgling fighting force-at least until you hit a modern term that pulls you out of the experience. The choice to switch to non-lethal attacks at the right moment for the right person might net you a bargaining chip for later. Deep connections between plot and play yield powerful synergy, at times. And that's a shame, because there's so much that Viking nails. It's rare that you'll be allowed to walk away from defeat. Vikings are, to reiterate, brutal and bloodthirsty. While that's true, the concept gets short shrift. Early on, the game is quick to suggest that failure isn't a big deal, and that you may see new story or plot regardless of the outcome. If you do lose, you'll face the usual game-over screen and have to restart-but not every time. Just about any approach is valid-as battles get tougher, though, you'll have to think to keep moving.
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Archers can spot for one another, offering each other battlefield support, while a wall of shieldmaidens can choke an enemy advance and help you crack opposing lines. Taken together and spread across your party of marauders, techniques are a tactician's dream, offering all manner of precise or circumstantial benefits to exploit. When you're ready to bop some baddies on the head, you'll have plenty of skills and abilities to complement your tactics. Bulky warriors grab axes, nimbler fighters use bows or slings or knives, and everyone else can pick from an array of simple sidearms. Expeditions: Viking borrows heavily from its tabletop forerunners like Dungeons & Dragons. Battles are hard, but fair-especially as the game opens up its tactical options.įun as political jockeying in the 700s may be, mixing it up with blood and iron is even better. That's all a natural part of Viking life, though. It's slow and painful-you'll take losses and often face permanent consequences along the way: arrows tear through bone and sinew axes break bones and shields no one gets out unscathed. Resources are scant in the frozen north, and staying the slaughter of conquered combatants isn't always prudent or kind.Ĭombat keeps to that theme. There aren't any deep, profound revelations about humanity to be found here, but novel ethical frameworks are the bread and butter of most role-playing classics, and it's wondrous to see a backdrop leveraged to such effect. It's a notable challenge, but it's also a fun one to play with. Morality, too, has to be viewed through the eyes and conscience of the era. Vikings, like most Dark Ages folk, were a superstitious lot, and Expeditions: Viking shows you that perspective as clearly as it can. Divine presence is faint but palpable, and that imbues the world with a certain vitality. These sorts of crisp details play up the role and mystique of magic in the world without breaking believability. There's an entire pantheon of gods whose favor you'll need, not to mention requisite arcane knowledge of the lands and its medicines. The needs of your people aren't as straightforward as you might expect. As they worm their way into your adventure, though, it's tough to shake the feeling that Viking is nudging you away from the man behind the curtain, so it wows you with its cast and the novelty of its setting. Stitched between the dialogue, you'll find rich descriptions that round out the development of your gang. Some of those issues fall away soon enough, however, as more vibrant, nuanced characters come into focus. It's a confusing tangle of different, conflicting accounts. Some say your father was too focused on conquest, while others claim he ignored the needs of his people. While bands of drunkards challenging your claim to rule on the night of what amounts to your coronation is exciting, it also leads, inexorably, to some basic questions, but there aren't too many answers. But it's also an early sign of the game's blemishes. Now Playing: Expeditions: Viking - The Northmen's Raid GameplayĪs a setup, it works well enough-and does a wonderful job of inviting you into this world. By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
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