I love the battle mechanics in Viking. Although you manage an army, each member is perfectly capable of taking care of himself and will slay enemies quickly and efficiently. You won’t find your vikings wandering the forest or turning in circles, so there isn’t much need for micromanagement.
As Skarin, you will run at enemies and attack with a variety of weapons. At the start of the game, you will carry a sword and a battle axe, using each separately or together for some awesome finishing moves. Viking does not shy away from the blood and gore here, and this is where the “intense violence” rating comes from. You will see your enemies appendages fly in separate directions as you slice through their bodies. Whether you decapitate or slice your enemies literally in half (Darth Maul style), the finishing moves are awesome.
The best part is that all of these actions are easily executed. Interestingly, your health and magic bar will regenerate automatically, a la God of War again. However, by eating or drinking particular foods, you can enhance the size of your life and magic bar. This game also autosaves, which is nice for just running around. The menu system is laid out well and easy to access. Whether you are looking at your items, maps, or weapons, each menu is easy to understand and use.
The map of Asgard is laid out much like a live Age of Empires map. Each place on the map has several objectives to complete, and more open up as you check off the list. The objectives are direct so you know exactly where to go.
