Nidhogg

Whether you play the singleplayer mode and challenge yourself to beat your own record time or play a game of cat and mouse with a friend through split screen or online, it’s effortless to jump in and start having some dumb fun.

However, the replayability of the game is limited, as there are only four maps and the online multiplayer is a bit rough around the edges (it's much better and more responsive while playing local multiplayer or singleplayer), and once you beat the singleplayer campaign you need friends who enjoy playing it as much as you do.

It’s minimalist design married to emotional amplification, a rare combination that elevates the game far beyond its simple visuals.

This stylized restraint allows the gameplay to shine while maintaining a distinctive aesthetic that makes Nidhogg instantly recognizable.

It’s in that shared space, where every parry and throw elicits a live reaction, that Nidhogg becomes something special.

The soundtrack is composed by Daedelus, and serves as a compliment to the levels you're in; Castle's focused breakbeat, Clouds' more ethereal sound reminiscent of something you'd hear in an Amiga game, Mines' more industrial, harsh sound, and Wilds' almost-calming beat, all serve as further backdrop to the clashes of your blade, or the screams of the dying.