Games Farm and ARTillery’s Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel, published by Grindstone, takes the familiar horde-survivor framework and immerses it in Norse mythology. With its roguelike progression and fast-paced survival mechanics, the game aims to offer both relentless action and a mythic backdrop. On PlayStation 5, it makes a strong first impression thanks to its fluid performance and the sheer chaos of its encounters, though not every element of its execution feels equally polished.
At its core, the game leans heavily into its roguelike design. Each run has players facing escalating waves of enemies while gathering divine blessings and upgrades from Viking deities, creating a satisfying loop of growth and experimentation. The roster of playable characters offers variety, as each one brings different weapons and abilities to the battlefield, encouraging players to try new approaches. Runs rarely feel the same twice, which keeps the pace fresh and addictive. However, the structure can also feel repetitive when stretched across long sessions, particularly when objectives don’t vary enough between attempts.
The moment-to-moment gameplay is fast, chaotic, and often exhilarating. Clearing hordes of foes while chaining abilities together is a thrill, and the bosses serve as major highlights, demanding sharper reflexes and more tactical thinking. While enemy design is generally solid, there are moments where the action tips into clutter, with the screen filled to the brim in a way that can make it hard to read what’s happening. This contributes to a sense of visual overload, which some players may find frustrating during prolonged runs.
Controls on PS5 generally hold up well, with responsive inputs and a clear sense of impact behind each attack. Dodging and repositioning feel natural, helping players maintain flow in the chaos. That said, there are instances where hit detection feels inconsistent, especially against bosses or when surrounded by large groups of enemies. These occasional stumbles can disrupt the rhythm of combat, and when paired with the punishing roguelike resets, they risk dampening the sense of fair challenge.
Visually, Jotunnslayer embraces a grim aesthetic fitting for its mythological roots. The environments across the Nine Worlds carry a suitably oppressive atmosphere, from frozen wastelands to fiery hellscapes, though the level of detail can vary. Some areas feel richly realized while others appear a bit too plain, betraying the budget beneath the ambition. On the audio side, the pounding soundtrack fits the intensity of battle, even if it leans on repetition. Enemy sound cues and the weighty effects of attacks contribute well to immersion, though some players may wish for more variety across longer play sessions.
As a whole, Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel succeeds in delivering a satisfying blend of roguelike progression and survival action wrapped in a Norse setting. The combat system is engaging, the boss fights offer genuine highlights, and the character variety provides plenty of replay value. Still, issues with repetitiveness, occasional balance problems, and technical hiccups mean that not every run feels as rewarding as it could be. For players eager for another intense horde-survivor that dares to tie its mechanics to myth and legend, it’s an easy recommendation – but it’s also a game that demands patience and a willingness to embrace its rough edges.
Score: 7.3/10
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