Return of the (Vi)King

The Return of the (Vi)King — Volgarr the Viking Gets a Ferocious Sequel from Digital Eclipse

Death Comes Quickly. Embrace Valhalla.

New York, NY (June 6, 2024) - Don your sharpest sword and strongest shield — Volgarr is back. Retro-focused studio Digital Eclipse unveiled Volgarr the Viking II at Guerrilla Collective 2024 today with a brutal new trailer and announced the release date of August 6, 2024, for Windows PC via Steam and GOG, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Digital edition preorders are now open at digitaleclipse.com.

More than a decade after Volgarr the Viking's bloodbath of a debut from Crazy Viking Studios, which sold more than one million copies across PC and consoles, the barbarian king's adventure continues in an uncompromising new form. Set against the backdrop of new and bigger-than-ever Norse-inspired worlds, Volgarr the Viking II ups the ante on the original's hardcore 2D side-scrolling action in an expanded odyssey where every playthrough is grislier than the last. 

The reveal trailer teases a selection of levels and enemy encounters, underscoring just how many times you'll die (and die again) — all while progressively learning and mastering movesets, level layouts, and enemy attacks. Volgarr the Viking II's satisfyingly punishing torment will forge you into a true warrior, demanding precision, strategy, and an indomitable spirit to conquer the unforgiving world.

As the great warrior Volgarr, choose your actions wisely when entering battle, as precision is everything. One false move can spell a one-way ticket to Valhalla. Jump, duck, slide, and dodge to avoid deadly enemies while remaining cognizant of the threats posed by your environment. 

While the sequel delivers the same unforgiving 1980s-arcade level of difficulty as the original, Volgarr's a little older now, his muscles have wizened, and he graciously welcomes some new features that won't agitate the arthritis: a practice mode, checkpoints, save profiles, and unlimited continues — but at what cost? If you can survive without these modern comforts, you'll unlock everything the game has to offer. If not... death comes knocking.

"One of our key pillars is making new games the old-fashioned way. We love and celebrate games where every pixel is hand-crafted," said Mike Mika, Head of Digital Eclipse. "Volgarr was one of those games we couldn't put down, no matter how hard it was. Games like this are a rare breed, and we're happy to play a role in seeing Volgarr II realized."

"Volgarr is known for being easy to learn, hard to master. For some, that might even be an understatement. But that design philosophy guided every aspect of development for Volgarr II," said Kristofor Durrschmidt, CEO & Creative Director, Crazy Viking Studios. "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."

Key Features Include: 

• Stave off death with new power-ups and magic items
• A roster of ruthless bosses so big and so ugly, they're just begging to have their heads chopped off
• An epic orchestral soundtrack to carry you through battle
• Handy speedrunning tools, including an on-screen timer and no-HUD mode
• Six distinct endings based on player performance —only the masterfully skilled will unlock a hidden level to battle a secret final boss!
• Modern era upgrades include a practice mode and multiple profile save options
• Buckets of blood and bone explosions
• Loincloths

Volgarr the Viking II brute-forces its way onto PC and consoles on August 6, 2024. For more information, visit the official website.

Stay up to date with Volgarr's violent adventures by following Digital Eclipse on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.

About Digital Eclipse

Based in Emeryville, California, Digital Eclipse is a game development studio originally founded in 1992, focused on the craft and history of classic video games. Digital Eclipse strives to set the gold standard for archival game re-releases, preserving gaming history for future generations. The studio's original games pay homage to the legacy of the gaming industry, with the signature style and timeless gameplay of the classics.

Digital Eclipse's recent games include Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, and Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, as well as its celebrated Gold Master Series of interactive documentaries.

Learn more at: http://digitaleclipse.com

About Crazy Viking Studios
Crazy Viking Studios has been reviving the golden age of arcade mayhem since 2012 with "New-Oldschool" games for you to sink your teeth into!

The company was founded in early 2012 by industry veterans Kristofor Durrschmidt and Taron Millet. Prior to forming Crazy Viking Studios, Kris and Taron worked together on many world-class handheld action titles. Some of their pedigree includes The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night GBA, Assassin's Creed: Discovery, and Shinobi for the Nintendo 3DS.