Top 10 Glorious Viking Themed Video Games

Death, rebirth, and the chance to fight another day – now there’s a myth in the making. This action-adventure game puts players in the boots of Thora, a Viking warrior who has recently died and who must now fight her way into Valhalla. What’s immediately striking about “Jotun” is its hand-drawn animation style, which gives Thora and her world a charming energy quite unlike other games. Beneath that, though, lies a tight blend of combat and exploration, with Thora gaining new weapons from gods she bests and working to solve puzzles in-between battles.

Speaking of nostalgia-fuelled properties, here’s one about a Viking and a dragon. “Volgarr the Viking” tasks players with guiding the eponymous warrior, sent forth by Odin, through a series of increasingly challenging stages in order to kill an evil dragon. Much like the game “Shovel Knight”, this title has you utilizing multiple weapons in combat – such as a wooden shield and a sword – whilst collecting treasure to unlock new abilities. The game’s greatest strength lies in its embrace of fair but tough gameplay, matched by its simple-to-grasp action and solid progression system. Now, where do we sign up to hunt dragons for ourselves?

#8: “The Lost Vikings” (1992)

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So... time travel, huh? This charming 1992 puzzle-platformer follows three time-displaced Vikings – Erik, Baleog and Olaf – in their noble endeavour to return home. First and foremost, “The Lost Vikings” stands out as a rather vibrant 16-bit era game, what with its cartoon-like character sprites and detailed environments. Beyond that, the game proves itself adept in characterization and overall design; the three Vikings’ dialogue is packed with clever quips, and levels often rely on using the trio’s specialized abilities in unison. Odd and unpredictable though it may be, there’s no doubt in our minds that “The Lost Vikings” is quite a delightful experience to behold.

#7: “For Honor” (2017)

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So a Viking, a Knight and a Samurai walk into a bar, and what emerged from the bar was this title. Don’t think I missed anything there right? Good. Anyways, in this unique hack & slash competitive multiplayer game you can join in on one of three warring factions, with Vikings in this game known as “The Warborn” to seek conquest across the lands, to claim to them for your clan. There’s also a story mode which is … well it’s alright. But really the best parts of the game lie in its combat system, especially when fighting other players and finishing them off by smashing their groin with your axe … Oooh that’s gotta hurt.

#6: “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze” (2014)

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Don’t worry, you’ve not taken leave of your senses. The direct sequel to 2010’s “Donkey Kong Country Returns”, “Tropical Freeze” pits the lovable Kong family against the newly-arrived Snowmads, a group of Viking gear-sporting arctic animals. Building itself on the classic side-scrolling foundation of “Donkey Kong” games past, “Tropical Freeze” delivers on varied yet consistently stunning levels and lovable characters to enjoy amid the action. On top of being entertaining adversaries, the introduction of the Snowmads brings into the fold wood-centric and ornate design elements that ensure the Viking influence is felt throughout.

#5: “Age of Mythology” (2002)

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Welcome to the age of heroes and epic conflicts... with a twist. “Age of Mythology” follows an admiral named Arkantos in his chase of a malevolent cyclops commander across the globe, leading to interactions with several civilizations. The game’s unique narrative – combining the myths and figures of the Greek, Egyptian and Norse pantheons – is complimented by an exquisite attention to detail when designing units and campaign settings. Furthermore, the intriguing favor resource adds a unique element to play in how it is obtained and acculumated. For instance, the Norse civilization gains this resource by hunting animals and gaining hero units, which differs from the conditions to gain favor for Egypt and Greece.

Believe it or not, this is actually an indie title, as it was self published and made by only 13 people, But damn does it leave one hell of a lasting impression. Immediately what makes this game stand out from other AAA action adventure titles is that the titular character Senua suffers from Psychosis, and her symptoms used to the full effect in this game with frequent hallucinations and voices in her head. This design choice in turn leads to a haunting atmospheric experience worth checking out, we highly recommend playing with headphones to really experience the full effect.

It’s grim, it’s grotesque, and it’s fascinating as hell. “Rune” basks in Norse mythology, with its central storyline focusing on the Viking warrior Ragnar, sent forth to prevent the god Loki’s world-ending plans. The game proper expands further on this in its gameplay, based around cutting through an array of undead foes and mythological creatures. There’s a real effort here to channel a tense mood, as Ragnar ventures across snowy peaks and into increasingly unsettling parts of the realm. On top of all that, “Rune” also benefits from a nuanced combat system based on varied strikes and attack types, as well as a good variety of melee weapons to choose from.

#2: “The Banner Saga” (2014)

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Scale matters not when the execution is so impressive. Case in point: “The Banner Saga” places you in command of a caravan charged with escorting a prince to a giant-ruled city, in a bid to end conflict between the giants and humans. The adventure largely focuses on player-made choices and how it affects those in said caravan, with tragedy and devastation at times unavoidable. Embracing a dark and at-times cynical view of its world, “The Banner Saga” manages to be compelling thanks to its intense turn-based combat, its complex role-playing elements and its stark medieval setting. Sporting an art style inspired by such animators as Ralph Bakshi and Don Bluth certainly doesn’t hurt, either. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “King’s Bounty: Warriors of the North” (2012) “Medieval: Total War - Viking Invasion” (2003) “Heroine Quest: The Herald of Ragnarok” (2014)

#1: “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” (2011)

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Sometimes direct references and tributes aren’t the way to go. Released in 2011, “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” seems to recognize this philosophy, given that it looks and feels like a Viking-themed game in all but name. The numerous quests and activities evoke Norse folklore, the setting is appropriately vast and mountainous, and the citizens and villages in Skyrim feel plucked straight from the age of Vikings. From its pantheon of gods to its plentiful political strife, from its brutal violence to its awe-inspiring vistas, this is proof positive that drawing from real-world influences can result in powerful experiences.