Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel follows in the footsteps of many popular games. The most famous in this genre is Vampire Survivors. However, unlike that beast title, this one feels and looks more polished. Moreover, its Norse Mythology edge adds a sense of energy and magic.
This rogue-like arena romp was developed by Games Farm and published by Grindstone. It is a single-player, isometric title that spans 9 cruel worlds. Additionally, there are plenty of bosses to slaughter, characters to unlock, and a host of skills to develop and master. As such, it keeps you busy throughout.
Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel tells a gripping story.
You control a hero who must overcome armies of beasts and deadly creatures. These horrific animals want to rip you to pieces, and they won’t stop until they are thwarted. Luckily, the hero is armed with a special weapon and the blessings of the Gods. Accordingly, they will use every trick up their sleeve to defeat the Jotunn and stop the death Goddess Hel.
The story and gameplay are unbelievably gripping. As you tackle every heinous wave, you must dodge, dive, and use your powers to annihilate everything you see. This is easier said than done, as different abilities and the cruel surroundings undermine your tactics at every turn.
Familiar but wonderfully original action.
Though much of the gameplay is familiar, Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel has some pleasant twists. The abilities can be upgraded, and each God has a progress tree that can be improved as well. This lets you start every round with a bit of an advantage. However, as the difficulty ramps up, the game balances itself out.
Alongside the character and God progression are the hellish objectives. If you are to meet a Jotunn, you must complete an array of taxing tasks before the clock ticks down. This seems straightforward, but the waves of enemies get hectic, and each quest is bloody difficult. Consequently, it is impressive if you make it to the final stage. Finally, the different worlds have unique elements that influence your approach. These must be considered as you navigate every obstacle you face.
Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is wonderfully sombre.
When death is assured, you need a sombre and melancholy aesthetic. Thankfully, Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel delivers this from the off. The roster of heroes looks burly, creepy, and unbelievably badass. Furthermore, each of the monsters is sinister, nasty, and uncomfortable to look at. In short, it captures a hellish and fantasy edge that matches the godly and oppressive theme.
The audio is loud, aggressive, and dramatic. I love the booming music and the unnecessarily obnoxious sound effects. As the hordes grow, the soundscape is horribly uncomfortable but great to listen to.
Simple controls.
The control layout is remarkably easy to master. Dash, move, and a special ability are all you must understand and execute. Once you get to grips with these commands, you’ll saunter across each world without thinking. As such, this rogue-like is a cruel but joyous title to play.
Replay value and longevity rely upon a stubborn completist mindset. If you wish to unlock everything, this game will keep you busy for hours. However, if you wish to play something casually, you may find that you tackle this rarely. Either way, it is addictive, and you’ll return for more.
Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is a great addition to the genre.
This genre has some great and terrible titles. Thankfully, Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is in column 1. The action is fun, addictive, and the right side of challenging. Moreover, I love the story and each godlike ability. Though it is occasionally familiar, it does enough to be original. Accordingly, I like it and recommend buying it here! Can you defeat Hel and be a hero? Master your skills, overcome every monster, and defeat every Jotunn.
