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Nidhogg ii12/3/2023 ![]() Every one of the options looks dumb in its own way. I do wish there was a way to simplify the main characters, or some non-dumb clothing choices. Luckily the PS4 supports Spotify playing in the background - I'll have to build a Nidhogg 2 playlist to listen to while playing the game. It's way too repetitive and I miss the strange music of the first game. Castle is still my favorite so far, but Club is just terrible. ![]() The levels are decent for the most part, but I do have to admit to hating some of them. The fact that the dagger and arrows can fly places a thrown sword can't reach has led to some shouting in my house. When you spawn with a bow inches from a guy with a longsword you know you're going to have a bad time. I really enjoy the variety that the dagger / rapier / longsword / bow add to the game to shake things up. It's different from the first game in a lot of ways, and it's not just about the look. Nidhogg II is available now on PC and PlayStation 4 for $14.99. This review was based on a PS4 digital download purchased by the reviewer. But with that aside, for those looking for chaotic dueling action, it's hard to argue with either Nidhogg game. It's a good attempt at improving on the original, but the end result didn't leave me feeling the same magic that I did when playing the first game. That's how I felt coming away from Nidhogg II. ![]() Sure, it's possible to add things to it, but the PB&J isn't something that really needs improving. It's like trying to improve on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Nidhogg II is a case where bigger isn't always better. Offline play remains Nidhogg's biggest strong suit, though, with solid 1v1 and Tournament modes in place, especially with options to make the weapon spawns less random. Strong online play at launch was one of the original game's biggest failings, but that's not the case this time around. Things feel far more stable this time around, even if the actual online menu still feels bare bones. Netplay in the original was a total mess. In a series that feels minimalistic at its core, Nidhogg II's biggest improvement winds up being an unheralded feature. Sometimes, scoring a kill feels less because I was a skilled player that knew how to wield a sword and more like I got a lucky shot in or I had the better weapon. The dagger, for example, is weak, while the two-handed broad sword is a powerful (albeit slower) piece of work. This adds an element of RNG to the mix, because the weapons don't feel particularly balanced. ![]() The original swords are still there, but players will now randomly spawn in with other instruments of death, like a bow and arrow and a dagger. The formula looks to evolve by packing in some new weapons. That last screen on the upgraded Castle stage looks cool, with a drawbridge covered in 16-bit flames, but it's a little too busy to maintain focus on who to kill or even where to jump. The trouble is, sometimes the environments get a little too animated and make it tougher to focus on what's what. Some of the stages are even visually upgraded versions of the original. Some of them, like the Beach and Wilds, feature some gorgeous renderings of outdoor environments. The visual overhaul also extends to the game's numerous maps. It ends up like watching claymation figures fight each other. The final visual product still veers towards the unsightly side, but the effects that go into the kills and weapon shots are at least more visually appealing. It's a cool idea, but the options feel limited and there's no way to save a favorite layout. Players can choose how their characters look by swapping out heads, torsos, legs, and accessories. On the surface, the character models look like an eyesore, but the actual purpose is to allow for some customization. The old-school Atari aesthetic is gone, in favor of a look that harkens closer to the 16-bit era. That's when the differences start to set in, because Nidhogg II looks noticeably different. It's an insanely entertaining tug-o-war, so it's safe to say the spirit of the original Nidhogg is still firmly in place. There are still those moments of fist-pumping in victory or letting out a profane shout just as I get stabbed at the edge of the final screen. The original's frantic pace is fully retained here and it still feels as fun as ever. Kill the opponent to gain momentum and then sprint to the finish line, to ride to glory inside the gullet of a giant worm. ![]() For those unfamiliar with the Nidhogg formula, the concept is simple. ![]()
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