Review for Nidhogg 2. Game for Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Network and Xbox One, the video game was released on 15/08/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 22/11/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 19/07/2018
The duel represents the maximum expression of the competition: one person against another person called to show the best of their ability, without third parties to influence the final outcome. Nidhogg places two challengers in the center of a symmetrical map, challenging them to reach the opposite extreme without being killed by the opponent, and Nidhogg 2 it does nothing but repeat the same formula, adding more content and changing graphics.
Winning team does not change
As anticipated, Nidhogg 2 does not change the substance: within a map consisting of five screens, two players compete to the sound of slashes, parries, dodges and jumps, trying to prevent the other from reaching the opposite end of the map to sacrifice yourself to a giant flying worm - yes, you read that right, the aim is to beat the opponent in order to die from being eaten by a worm.
The structure of the challenge means that duels can be incredibly short as well as endless: a skilled player against an inexperienced player can win in less than a minute, but a round between two experts lasts tens of minutes. Thanks to the structure and obstacles of certain maps, it is easy for even an advantage player to risk losing the advantage at the first distraction or at the first imprecise movement, putting the challenge back in the opponent's hands, but this does not mean that the skill comes less, particularly thanks to the new weapons.
Where the first Nidhogg offered the rapier as the only weapon, Nidhogg 2 expands the set with a two-handed sword, slow and heavy but able to easily disarm the opponent, a dagger, quick and light but naturally with a short range, and a bow, perhaps the most unpredictable weapon - honestly, it's also the weapon we liked least as the arrows are slow and the opponent can bounce the shot back to the sender.
Change of face
Nidhogg 2 offers 10 scenarios against the 5 of the first, all characterized by a unique style and different obstacles, an arcade mode where you can challenge the AI, a tournament mode for up to 8 players (but always in a duel, mind you), ten modifiers for make the games even more unpredictable (such as low gravity, boomerang effect when throwing weapons, and more), and above all the coveted online matchmaking, also present in the first but almost unusable.
The biggest difference, paradoxically, is the graphic aspect. The developers wanted to give Nidhogg 2 a completely different style to push players not to completely abandon the predecessor, however this is not necessarily good: Nidhogg 2 has a grotesque and splatter cartoon style, in total contrast against the absolute minimalism of the first - one of the aspects that made it more original and captivating.
Nidhogg 2 is the [not-exactly-natural] evolution of the brand: it dares in the graphics aspect with questionable results, but keeps the fast-paced and challenging gaming experience intact, adding new elements. A perfect game for lunch breaks with colleagues, for parties, or for more hardcore tournaments.
► Nidhogg 2 is an Arcade type game developed and published by Messhof Games for Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Network and Xbox One, the video game was released on 15/08/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 22/11/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 19/07/2018
