Nidhogg | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Developer(s) | Messhof [lower-alpha 1] |
Publisher(s) | Messhof |
Designer(s) | Mark Essen |
Programmer(s) | Mark Essen |
Artist(s) |
|
Composer(s) | Daedelus |
Engine | GameMaker Studio |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita |
Release |
|
Genre(s) | Fighting |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Nidhogg is a side-scrolling two-player fighting video game developed and published by Messhof. Players duel with swords in a pixelated environment. The game was commissioned for the New York University Game Center's annual multiplayer show, and was revised and demoed at private events over the next four years before its final release. It won Indiecade 2013's Game Design award and the 2011 Independent Games Festival's Nuovo Award. It was released for Microsoft Windows on January 13, 2014, and later ported to OS X, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita. Critics praised the feel of the gameplay and its balance, but considered its single-player mode unsatisfying. Messhof released a sequel in 2017 with a higher resolution art style and additional weapons and arenas.
Nidhogg is a fast-paced two-player dueling game where two players sword fight in a side-scrolling environment. Players can run, jump, slide, throw their swords, and fistfight. [2] The player-character's sword can be held at three different heights: low, medium, and high, and changing the sword's position to hit the opponent's sword will disarm the opponent. [3] Players can also dive kick, wall jump, climb ledges, and crawl. [2] The player continually pushes towards one side of the screen, such that they are permitted a few seconds to run towards their opponent's side while their opponent respawns after dying. [4] The player to reach the end of their opponent's side first wins [5] and is eaten by the mythological Norse serpent Níðhöggr. [6] Nidhogg has four different levels and single-player, local multiplayer, and online multiplayer two-player modes. The game also has a tournament mode and game variants including "boomerang swords". [7] It can be played via a shared keyboard, [4] and its art style has a pixelated aesthetic similar to games of the 1980s, with vivid colors and simple graphics. [8]
Inspired by the 1984 fighting game Great Swordsman , [9] the game was made by indie developer Mark Essen over the course of four years, [7] using GameMaker Studio. [10] It was commissioned for the New York University Game Center's first No Quarter annual multiplayer show [7] and first exhibited in April 2010 as Raging Hadron . The game was delayed as Messhof planned a formal release [11] and later renamed Nidhogg, after the mythological Norse serpent who appears in-game. [6] Messhof worked as the game's only programmer and his time was divided between development and his other freelance and personal projects, graduate school, and a job teaching at University of Southern California. The game languished until Kristina "Kristy" Norindr assisted Essen in founding Messhof LLC, a legally incorporated indie studio, joining as a co-founder and working in a business development role. [lower-alpha 2] She led the search for the game's musician. [7] Their list of desired styles always included Daedelus, who they were able to contact through a mutual friend who attended high school with the musician. Daedelus designed some of the procedural elements that trigger the music sequences. Messhof described their process as wanting to "enhance the action" while letting players control the game's tension. [12] He felt lucky to have Daedelus as his composer. Messhof also asked a former student to help him complete the game's netcode, [11] which he deemed to be "totally essential" for the game's future as an eSport. [7] He read about "programming and fighting game structure" over the course of development, which he credited as important towards the game's progress. [7] It was his first attempt at networked multiplayer. [7]
The core concept did not change over the course of development, though the other content did. [11] Messhof limited the game's exposure during this time as he wanted the game to be respected in the fighting game genre and wanted to make sure it was ready first. Messhof himself, however, did not have much experience in this genre. He said that he "spent a lot of time" on the gameplay's feel and designed it to play slowly, where players wait for their opponent to move first, similar to Bushido Blade . He also spent time adding divekicks and cartwheels while improving the melee attacks and spectator experience. Some moves, such as a Yoshi-style "ground pound" and the Karate Kid crane kick, were attempted and removed. [7] In testing, he would observe players and their strategies before attempting to write an artificial intelligence to use similar strategies. Messhof considers the single-player to be training for the online multiplayer, and the online multiplayer training for live matches. [7] He described his process as making "the most fun game" to play with his friends. [12]
Gamasutra's Mike Rose wrote that the game became "the equivalent of a video game fable" for its appearance at video game shows but lack of public release. [11] It won several awards within a year of its first showing and appeared at "hyper-local indie group" meetups such as the Hand Eye Society of Toronto and Juegos Rancheros. [7] A playable demo of the game was displayed at the 2013 Evolution Championship Series, [13] with upgrades from previous demos of the game. [6] The next year, the game was selected for the July 2014 Evolution Championship Series fighting game tournament's Indie Showcase. [14] Messhof said that the game works best in live, public settings. [7] Nidhogg was released on January 13, 2014, for Microsoft Windows via Steam. [13] The release includes online competition and an eight-person tournament mode. [15] A port for OS X was later released on May 19, 2014, [16] and ports for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, developed by Code Mystics, on October 14, 2014. [17] The Fencer later went on to appear as a playable character in the indie fighting game Divekick . [18]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | 81/100 [19] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Destructoid | 90% [20] |
Edge | 9/10 [21] |
Eurogamer | 9/10 [3] |
Game Informer | 7.5/10 [5] |
GameRevolution | 70% [22] |
GamesMaster | 90% |
GamesTM | 80% [23] |
IGN | 9/10 [24] |
PlayStation Official Magazine – UK | 9/10 |
PC Gamer (UK) | 93% [25] |
Polygon | 8/10 [8] |
VideoGamer.com | 90% [26] |
Nidhogg received "generally favorable" reviews, according to video game review score aggregator Metacritic. [19] It won Indiecade 2013's Game Design award [13] and the 2011 Independent Games Festival's Nuovo Award, where it was also nominated for Excellence in Design and the Seumas McNally Grand Prize. [27] It was IGN 's January 2014 Game of the Month, [24] and Rock, Paper, Shotgun awarded the game their first physical trophy. [4] During the 18th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Nidhogg for "Fighting Game of the Year". [28] Paste and Rock, Paper, Shotgun named Nidhogg among the best games of the 2010s decade. [29] [30] Reviewers praised the feel of the gameplay [5] [8] and its balance, [3] [24] and thought the single-player mode to be unsatisfying. [5] [8] Some critics found technical issues with the online multiplayer code, [3] [8] [21] while others only had issues finding other players. [5] [24]
Brandon Boyer marked the game as part of a "multiplayer renaissance" alongside TowerFall and Samurai Gunn . [7] Polygon 's Russ Frushtick described the game as a tug-of-war closer to the National Football League than to Street Fighter . He commended the game's originality. [8] Kyle Hilliard of Game Informer did not think the pixelated graphics were sufficiently "distinct" from similar games. [5] He praised the soundtrack but wanted more tracks. [5]
Eurogamer 's Quintin Smith praised the game's balance, writing that "every single fight is hold-your-breath tense", that even the shortest fights "take on an air of majesty", and that kills feel fair. [3] He described the game as multiplayer "theatre" for the impact the game has on those watching and playing it. [3] Destructoid summarised the game as "Nidhogg stands as one of the true kings of competitive gameplay, and that doesn't need to be patched one bit", while GamesMaster said "A peculiar, thrilling and essential addition to your PC games collection. Best played with friends/enemies." Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Alec Meer described the game as a combination of "precision and reckless abandon". [4] IGN 's Keza MacDonald called it the "most exhilarating competitive game [she had] played in years". [24] Edge put the game alongside Street Fighter II , Super Smash Bros. , and GoldenEye 007 as games "written into history indelibly for their competitive multiplayer". [21] The game later inspired indie games such as TowerFall and Samurai Gunn. [31] Sean Hollister of The Verge described Nidhogg as "perfect". [2]
Regarding the overall proposition, GamesTM said "It's a small package but there's a wealth of value to be found in the creative gameplay that'll spur you through many hours of gaming", while PC Gamer said "A brilliant marriage of mechanics, level design and music that will be played and talked about for years to come", a sentiment echoed by VideoGamer, who said "Nidhogg is a game to be enjoyed with friends while in the same room together, and it may be the best title you play that way this year."
In August 2017, Messhof released a sequel, Nidhogg 2 , for macOS, PlayStation 4, and Windows platforms. The sequel adds to its predecessor's core game mechanics and adds a colorful, higher resolution art style, additional weapons, and ten arenas. [32]
Spelunky is a 2008 source-available 2D platform game created by independent developer Derek Yu and released as freeware for Microsoft Windows. It was remade for the Xbox 360 in 2012, with ports of the new version following for various platforms, including back to Microsoft Windows. The player controls a spelunker who explores a series of caves while collecting treasure, saving damsels, fighting enemies, and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making each run-through of the game unique.
Dustforce is a platform video game developed by Hitbox Team. The game was released in 2012 for Microsoft Windows via Steam in January, and Mac OS X through Steam in May. A Linux port was released as part of the Humble Indie Bundle 6. Capcom published the game for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox 360.
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is a 2012 crossover fighting game developed by SuperBot Entertainment, in conjunction with Bluepoint Games, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It features various characters drawn from different PlayStation video game franchises competing against each other in multiplayer battles. The game was released in November 2012 for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita video game consoles.
Hotline Miami is a 2012 top-down shooter game developed by Dennaton Games and published by Devolver Digital. In the game, players take on the role of an unnamed silent protagonist—known outside of the game as "Jacket"—while committing massacres against the local Russian mafia. In each level, the player is tasked with defeating every single enemy through any means necessary, ranging from firearms and melee weapons, to more specific methods such as knocking enemies out with doors. At the beginning of each level, the player chooses from a variety of masks, which offer unique abilities. The game is set in Miami in 1989, and primarily tells its story through cryptic dream cutscenes where masked figures berate Jacket for his actions and foreshadow upcoming events.
Divekick is a 2D competitive fighting game originally developed by One True Game Studios, an independent collective of competitive gamers. A demo of the game was showcased at several competitive events, and after a positive reaction, the group created a Kickstarter campaign to fund the creation of a full version for release on Microsoft Windows. The Kickstarter project was canceled after it was announced that developer Iron Galaxy Studios had agreed to co-develop and release the game.
Galak-Z: The Dimensional is a shooter video game developed and published by 17-Bit. It was released in August 2015 for the PlayStation 4 and October 2015 for Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux. A Nintendo Switch port, subtitled Deluxe Edition, was released in March 2019 by Golem Entertainment. It was announced during Sony's pre-E3 2013 press conference in June 2013. 17-Bit CEO Jake Kazdal describes it as "modern Halo and Far Cry 3 combat in a 2-dimensional shell." Reflecting its inspiration in part by Japanese anime, the game is also known officially by the Japanese title of Uchuu Senshi Galak-Z.
Super Time Force is a side-scrolling action and shooter video game by Capybara Games. The game was released for the Xbox One and the Xbox 360 on May 14, 2014. The game was known for its ability for players to rewind themselves, using the "Time Out" game mechanic, back to an area where they started from when a character dies, and then resume their action alongside a ghost version of the original character. Its game mechanics and gameplay were inspired by other side-scrolling titles like Contra and Metal Slug with the abilities of time-travel.
TowerFall is an action indie video game created by Maddy Thorson through her company Maddy Makes Games. In the game, players control up to four archers in a multiplayer platform fighter. It was released on the Ouya microconsole in June 2013 and was later ported to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, OS X, and Windows as TowerFall Ascension and to the Nintendo Switch under its original title of TowerFall.
Hyper Light Drifter is an action role-playing game developed and published by Heart Machine. The Microsoft Windows, Linux and OS X versions were released in March 2016, and the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions in July 2016. A Special Edition port of the game, featuring additional content, was released by Abylight Studios for the Nintendo Switch in September 2018, for iOS devices in July 2019 and for Android devices in June 2024.
Luftrausers is a shoot 'em up video game developed by Netherlands-based indie developer studio Vlambeer and published by Devolver Digital for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. It was released in March 2014 and ported to Android by General Arcade on May 28, 2015. A demake of the game, titled LuftrauserZ, was developed by Paul Koller for Commodore 64, Commodore 128 and Commodore 64 Games System, and released by RGCD and Vlambeer on December 8, 2017.
Blade Symphony is a multiplayer action video game developed by American indie studio Puny Human for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux. The game focuses on sword-based duelling, it is reminiscent of and inspired by Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. Following a Steam Early Access release in April 2013, the game was officially released in May 2014.
Action Button Entertainment is a video game development studio consisting of Tim Rogers, Brent Porter, Michael Kerwin, and Nicholas Wasilewski that has produced five games: Ziggurat (2012), TNNS (2013), Ten by Eight (2013), Tuffy the Corgi (2014), and Videoball (2016). The group convened in 2010 as Rogers worked on Ziggurat based on an idea he had while playing Angry Birds that he could not complete on his own. Porter joined Action Button after responding to a call for artists Rogers made via Twitter, and Kerwin joined based on a connection he had with Rogers from producing a mockup of a game concept Rogers outlined in his Kotaku column.
Videoball is a minimalist sports video game by Action Button Entertainment. Up to six human and computer-controlled players form two teams. Each uses an analog stick and a single button to control triangles that shoot charged projectiles at a ball and other players. The objective is to knock the ball into the opposing team's goal. Apart from exhibition matches, the game has a scenario challenge-based Arcade mode, and supports online team and ranked multiplayer matchmaking. Videoball has a simple visual style with bright colors, basic shapes, and many customization options.
Aztez is a side-scrolling brawler, turn-based strategy video game by Team Colorblind. The player fights through areas within the Aztec empire prior to the Spanish invasion. Aztez was released on August 1, 2017 for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Absolver is a martial arts-themed action role-playing video game developed by Sloclap and published by Devolver Digital for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. In the game, players control warrior characters who fight other players and computer-controlled characters across the fictional land of Adal to prove their worthiness of joining the Absolver peacekeepers. The game's story is focused on the human development of the characters as they fight to find their place in the collapsed empire. The character's fighting moves are customized in a "combat deck" of cards, with each card assigned to a move. Players earn cards, equipment, and weapons by progressing through the game.
Nidhogg 2 is a fighting game and sequel to Nidhogg by indie developer Messhof. It was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS and PlayStation 4 in 2017. An Xbox One version was released in July 2018 and the Nintendo Switch version was released in November 2018. The game received generally positive reviews from critics upon release.
Flywrench is an action video game developed and published by Messhof. The game puts the player in the role of 6802, a spacecraft floating through the Solar System in search of a mysterious access point. As 6802 passes the different planets towards the Sun, the player is tasked to maneuver 6802 through a variety of levels, in which they, by pressing or holding one of two certain buttons, must change 6802's color adaptively to barriers blocking the way to the finish and at the same time control 6802's movement behavior.
Mark Essen, better known as Messhof, is an American video game designer and artist best known for Nidhogg, its sequel, and Flywrench.
Chivalry 2 is a 2021 multiplayer hack and slash action video game developed by Torn Banner Studios and published by Tripwire Interactive. The sequel to Chivalry: Medieval Warfare (2012), the game was released on June 8, 2021, for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Series S.
Media related to Nidhogg at Wikimedia Commons