Viking: Battle for Asgard

Viking: Battle for Asgard - (Xbox 360, PS3)
Developer: The Creative Assembly
Format: Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Action

Plunder and pillage with Sega's new slasher!

We have to take off our collective hat to Sega. The veteran games company has been pushing out more titles than the Easter Bunny has dropped chocolate eggs. In the last month alone Sega has delivered Sega Bass Fishing, House of the Dead , Sonic and Mario at The Olympic Games, Sega Superstars Tennis, Condemned 2 and Football Manager 2008. To name but a few.

You take on the role of Skarin, a banished warrior who's a bit miffed at Odin turning his back on him. Skarin decides, in true Viking style, to raise an army and get his own bloodthirsty revenge on the ancient big cheese. This is where it gets interesting. The combat follows the storyline so Skarin's quest from town to city, across blood-soaked plains and islands is to rally troops and take on the enemy hordes. Armed with fearsome swords and axes he has the dexterity to pound his way through several bad guys at once.

Building up enough strength to unleash his deadlier moves though requires a little time. The controls are a cinch - some would say a little too easy, with lazy button bashing often delivering devastating results that don't really feel deservedly earned.

Aside from full-on scraps (of which there are plenty, with so much on-screen action that slow frame rate issues can be a problem), the more stealth-based missions gives Skarin ample opportunity to hone his tactics. With the aid of special upgrades the hero drops into a crouch position when an enemy is close so you can choose to send the foe to Valhalla with one button press or carry on without alerting him. Stealth Vikings? Go figure.

If you remember the samurai slasher games such as Dynasty Warriors then you'll have a good mental picture of what Vikings can offer. Except Vikings looks better, has better gameplay and with the exception of frame rates grinding to an occasional halt, plays better. A worthy addition to any wannabe warrior's collection.

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