Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 31 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 82% | 76 | 50 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 89% | 83 | 47 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 29, 2024) · 47 reviews sampled · 43 total reviews in window · weighted 19.3 up / 2.5 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (22)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 65
“Volgarr The Viking II is a fun, but flawed, platformer. There's a lack of communication that leaves one guessing as to the terms of play. It's meant to be punishing, and the zombie option helps, but things could benefit from difficulty options or a better restart system.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Volgarr the Viking II is, quite simply, one of the best 2D action platformers on Switch, or any other platform for that matter. It improves upon the original in just about every conceivable way, introducing neat ways to ease newcomers into its relentless brutality, vastly improving the visuals, and adding a soundtrack that is destined to go down as one of the all-time greats. Minor quibbles with the UI aside, Volgarr the Viking II is an absolute must-play if you can stomach the intense difficulty.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Volgarr the Viking II is straightforward, challenging, and addictive. Its levels and mechanics are sharply honed to allow players to perfect their usage of Volgarr’s limited toolkit while traversing stages that ask them to utilize it in a myriad of different ways. There’s more variety, more for the player to earn and discover, and perhaps most importantly, more options than ever for players to tailor the experience to a level of difficulty they’re more comfortable with.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“I'm all for old-school challenges, but if you're itching for a game that's trying to outgame Ghost & Goblins while adding unnecessary padding and really unfair advantages just for replay value's sake, you're insane. Somehow, Volgarr the Viking II will sate that bloodlust if you need a 2D hardcore action ride.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Volgarr the Viking II is a throwback title, for better or worse. On the positive side, it deploys its simple control scheme to maximum effect, leverages several interesting platforming ideas, and provides hours of challenging gameplay that will test your reflexes and resolve. On the negative side, its punishing nature, overlong levels, and general opacity can prove more frustrating than rewarding.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Volgarr the Viking 2 is an ode to the classic 2D platformers that were notoriously difficult. It has striking visuals, gameplay that demands precision, and a soundtrack that has you head banging and hyped even when you’ve repeated the same stage five times. However, this game is VERY difficult, that even with the QoL improvements and changes that it has, its reputation for being a hard-to-beat game still stands. If you enjoy Ghouls & Ghosts, Strider, Demon’s Crest, and other games of the same genre, this might be the game for you.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“Volgarr the Viking II is a challenging 2d platform-action that requires patience and memorization of every level, trap and (at times cheap) enemy placement. Even though it fixes most major flaws of its predecessor, it doesn't differentiate itself enough to offer something truly remarkable.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“A disappointing sequel that falls short of the great heights of the original, Volgarr the Viking 2 frustrates far more than it delights.”
read full review ↗ - 71
“Some scale Mount Everest, others swim across the English Channel. Much like its predecessor, Volgarr the Viking 2 extends the same kind of intimidating challenge, daring you to memorize the hundreds of different dangers laid out across six masochistic stages. This time out, there’s a novice mode, accompanied by a bit of playful humiliation. Just don’t expect entry into Valhalla on easy.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Volgarr the Viking II is sometimes unfair, but it’s a throwback to the 8 and 16-bit platformers it is so clearly inspired by. It’s a game that requires precision, patience, and practice. It’s a straightforward game that has multiple endings to encourage replayability, but is a game that’s more about the journey than the destination. Volgarr the Viking II is a hardcore and uncompromising sequel that delivers.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Volgarr the Viking 2 is a worthy, brutally difficult, and endlessly addicting follow-up to its tough-as-nails predecessor from 2013.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Much like the first game, Volgarr the Viking II is a satisfying retro romp that will test your skills and patience.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Nintendo Life
Gamer Escape
Kakuchopurei
VGChartz
Game8
IGN
Saving Content
Game Rant
ComingSoon.net…and 10 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Live and Let DieAug 29, 2024significant · resets scoring window