Games

Viking: Battle for Asgard

Publisher: Sega

Platform: Reviewed on Xbox 360. Also available on PS3

Price: From £32.99

Certificate: 18

Welcome to Ragnarok!

Has the bloodlust ever swept over you? Have you heard Odin's call and dreamt of taking to arms, or lusted to down mead in the ale halls of old just like the Norse? In any case Viking is the game for you.

Viking has you playing out the part of Skarin, a warrior who having received mortal wound upon the battlefield is blessed by Freya, Odin's wife and the Mother Godess of the Norse.

In return it has become your duty to hack and slay through the land, looking to save your brother Vikings from the undead hordes of the evil Goddess, Hel and the darkness that is descending upon the world.

With axe and sword in hand and elemental powers hidden up your sleeve it's time to begin the journey. It won't be easy, for the enemies' number is vast. But will it all be worth the effort?

In essence, yes. But this is for a very specific set of reasons Plus it really depends which console you are playing on.

Viking offers up slightly above average graphics and gameplay yet slightly hollow feeling, below par sound on both the Xbox and the Playstation. But the theme of the game is fresh. And at this moment in time this is enough to make this title to stand out.

While recent releases such as Dark Sector have gone over well trodden ground in a slightly above average manner, Viking steps on a relatively over looked playing field in a just better than standard fashion.

As such Viking offers up a fantasy arcade style combat game to the masses, and this is something the Xbox audience haven't seen before. And it does so in a light hearted, fun filled manner, bravely showing no shame for its faults.

However on the Playstation, Heavenly Sword has been out for a fair while and it can't be long until the God of War franchise makes its presence known. And this is where Viking will fall to pieces.

But until the game has competition it certainly fills a niche. The next generation consoles have been flooded with first and third person shooters since their release but Viking breaks away from this mould.

As soon as opposition of any class does arrive Viking's shortcomings will be instantly exposed, the repetitive combat and adventures, the annoying difficulty curve and the unimpressive battle mode highlighted for all to see.

Until then, if you're fed up of science fiction epic gun games take a look at this fast paced and frivolous fantasy adventure - as long as you're old enough to play.