With Odin's blessing - The strategy game Sons of Valhalla from developer Pixel Chest takes players back to the times when the Vikings roamed the seven seas. In search of love and vengeance, players must fight their way through England in 2D pixel style. Other warriors, dangerous war machines and even the god of the dead Hel himself stand in their way.
Viking wedding
In Sons of Valhalla, players slip into the muscular shell of Thorald Olavson, who is facing the ruins of his life. Having just returned from a successful campaign, the seasoned Viking finds his home village in flames. His father is dead and Thorald's wife has been abducted by a hostile Jarl named Valgard. Thorald learns that the Jarl has escaped to England to plunder and pillage, and of course to use his kidnapped slave girls for more than just cuddling at night.
To free his wife from the butcher's clutches, Thorald sets off on a journey to England. However, his dragon boat is caught in a devastating storm. The ship is wrecked and Thorald's crew fall victim to the floods. Only his old master survives and together the two Vikings set about the arduous task of regaining their strength in unknown lands.
War drums in Sons of Valhalla
Before the players in Sons of Valhalla can move on from Publisher Hooded Horse can enter the deadly duel against Valgard, they must first fight their way through various henchmen. As the Jarl had a big head start, he was already able to build some fortifications in England and gather his troops.
Thorald also has to raise an army to support him in battle. To do this, the Viking needs resources in the form of gold, fish and wood. Thorald must also secure basic supplies in his bases by building a fishing hut, hiring wood collectors or having barracks built. These buildings also help to Strengthening the base and offer opportunities for improvement so that, for example, more raw materials can be collected.
If the players have finally a troop of warriors recruited, they can rush into battle with the army. Thorald can cut a bloody swathe in close combat as well as command his armies from a distance. Successful battles bring booty. However, when Thorald is on the battlefield, he goes straight to the underworld.
Will to fight
Death is not the end in Sons of Valhalla. First it goes down into the realm of Hel. The goddess of the dead offers Thorald a fair chance. If the players are able to defeat Hel in a duel, they return to their last conquered base and can rejoin the battle. A second start offers opportunities to rethink your strategy, gather new resources or reorganize your troops to make better progress in the next battle.
However, if you lose against Hel, you go to the Underworld on. The game progress is reset and the players have to slash their way through England all over again. It therefore makes sense to use the opportunities in life to build siege weapons, for example, or to properly strengthen the team instead of rushing into battle unprepared. Otherwise, a bad battle can spell the end of the Viking adventure from Thorald!