Unique Viking side-scrolling base-builder Sons of Valhalla is out now

Pixel Chest / Hooded Horse

You don’t often see 2D side-scrolling battles combined with base-building, but Sons of Valhalla is just that – a unique mix of genres with a strong dose of heavy metal storytelling. Seriously, game protagonist Thorald Olavson’s tale would make a fantastic metal song. Thorald is on the hunt for the Jarl who burned down his tome, stole his beloved, and then fled to England. Following the culprit to these distant shores, you need to build up a stronghold and recruit warriors to your cause, generating ever more resources to fuel your desire for revenge.

Building up and actively managing your towns is going to be a key part of the game. While you’re incentivized to produce as many resources as you can from your estates, there is the option of pillaging neighboring villages to get what you require as well – Vikings weren’t nice people, no matter how popular they are today in the media. Naturally, your own bases can become the target of enemy raids, so fortifying them with defensive structures is a must.

With your resources – ill-gotten or otherwise – you’ll also need to recruit a host of troops to lead into battle and chase down your arch-nemesis. You can issue orders and get your army into specific formations as you assault the enemy. Being a leader of Vikings, it is your duty to be among the first warriors to charge into the fray, so better practice with your weapons every day, no matter if you prefer sword, spear, or bow.

Set in a lovingly handcrafted pixel art world, Sons of Valhalla is the work of two brothers with a passion for games and history. Told in six chapters, the title’s linear story contains plenty of twists, over 40 enemy types to battle, and an endless horde mode for when you’re done with the campaign.

Sons of Valhalla, developed by Pixel Chest and published by Hooded Horse is available via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store for $19.99 USD – though a 10% launch discount has knocked the price down to $17.99 USD on Steam until April 19, 2024. You can also find the game’s launch trailer on YouTube for some visual impressions.