Popular Indie Game from 2013 is Finally Getting a Sequel

Highlights

• Volgarr the Viking 2 is a long-awaited sequel set to enhance gameplay and maintain its old-school arcade roots.
• The indie game is surprisingly close to release, with features like practice mode and checkpoints to ease difficulty.
• Set for release on multiple platforms in August 2024, the sequel could become one of the best pixel art indie games of the year.

Crazy Viking Studios, the developer behind the 2013 action platformer Volgarr the Viking, has finally announced a follow-up to the hit indie game more than a decade later. Simply titled Volgarr the Viking 2, the long-belated sequel is set to revive the franchise with a more brutal successor that aims to significantly enhance the gameplay elements of its predecessor while sticking true to its old-school arcade roots. Arguably the most exciting part of this reveal, though, is that the indie game is surprisingly close to being released.

Volgarr the Viking is an action-heavy, 2D side-scrolling platformer that was developed by a team led by game industry veterans. Having initially released on PC in September 2013, the title eventually made its way to other platforms, including Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. It even came to failed game consoles like the Wii U and the PlayStation Vita in 2016-17. Upon launch, the title was a critical and commercial hit, eventually selling over 1 million copies worldwide. Many fans praised Volgarr the Viking for successfully modernizing the arcade game formula and serving as a faithful spiritual successor to classic ’80s titles like Rastan and Ghosts ‘n Goblins. Unfortunately, despite its success, there was no word on a potential sequel to Volgarr the Viking for years, but that has finally changed.

During the Guerrilla Collective 2024 Showcase, Crazy Viking Studios and co-developer Digital Eclipse formally unveiled Volgarr the Viking 2 and announced that it’ll be released on August 8, 2024. This direct follow-up to the beloved indie platformer strives to “[up] the ante on the original’s hardcore 2D side-scrolling action” and make every playthrough “grislier than the last,” according to an official description provided by the developers. However, although Volgarr the Viking 2 will maintain the intense difficulty of the first game, it’ll also have a handful of quality-of-life features, like “practice mode, checkpoints, save profiles, and unlimited continues.”

The developers behind the title had some comments to share regarding the game’s announcement. “We love and celebrate games where every pixel is hand-crafted,” said Mike Mika, head of the Gold Master series developer Digital Eclipse. “Volgarr was one of those games we couldn’t put down… and we’re happy to play a role in seeing Volgarr II realized.” Meanwhile, Crazy Viking Studios CEO and Creative Director Kristofor Durrschmidt stated, “We learned a lot from launching the original, and even with some modern updates, fans are going to love the sequel. Volgarr is still a game where, if you want the ultimate experience, you’ll need to really master what it asks of you.”

Volgarr the Viking 2 Could End Up Being One of 2024’s Best Indie Games

Volgarr the Viking 2 is slated for a release on all modern platforms, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and GoG. If this title lives up to expectations, it could end up being one of the best pixel art indie games of 2024.