The beat em up genre is one that has a respected place in history. Some of the best arcade classics belonged to the genre, and they helped lay the groundwork for multiple later styles of gameplay. The genre has taken a hit in later years, but has recently been experiencing a resurgence. Many of these modern beat em ups have something else to them that adds something new that helps keep the gameplay fresh. This is where Die for Valhalla comes in.
Die for Valhalla is a very interesting take on the genre by having you play as a Valkyrie and posses others to attack. These possessions can be of dead Vikings or live warriors, or even inanimate objects and this opens the game up to new possibilities. I have to say that I was actually surprised by what was able to be done and how deep the gameplay actually was. There are many ways to go about attacking your enemies and discovering the various attacks and abilities is just one part of the joy. The different button combinations must be learned in order to master the attacks and skills, and knowing when to use a skill is just as important as knowing when to move out of the way.
The gameplay is a mix of rougelike and beat em up and can be played in a more hardcore style or a more casual leaning style. This is a welcome addition and while hardcore mode is neat for a single player, it can get a little too hectic in multiplayer mode. Still, I like that the game has some new ideas, and the way it incorporates rougelike elements as well, make this a truly unique beat em up. As you progress through the game, you will get the chance to level up and gain new skills, both for your possessed characters and the Valkyrie controlling them. Minigames are also included as a way to become more powerful and the game goes out of its way to explain parts of Norse mythology that many might not know. In other words, this feels like a game that was made for me!
I highly recommend checking out, Die for Valhalla, as it is one of the most unique beat em up experiences yet. You will not regret this choice.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided.