Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel brings a fresh experience to the horde-survivor genre, placing players in a world of Norse mythology filled with gods, monsters, and an unending struggle for survival. The horde-survivor genre, popularized by titles like Vampire Survivors, is based on automatic combat against waves of enemies, where players progressively become stronger through various upgrades and survival tactics.
Currently available maps include the frozen Niflheim, fiery Muspelheim, and stormy Jotunheim, with more locations planned after the Early Access release. Each map presents different conditions and waves of enemies ranging from cruel skeletons and werewolves to giant demons and elemental beasts.
On each map, the goal is to survive waves of opponents until the main timer runs out, after which the main opponent appears that must be defeated to win the map. The game also features various side objectives that reward risky play with additional powers and resources.
Players can choose from four classes: Berserker, Revenant, Seeress, and Flame Sister. Each has its specific attacks and playstyle, and during the match, it is possible to unlock and use the powers of the Norse gods:
- Thor, the god of thunder and protector of humanity, brings electric attacks and his famous hammer Mjolnir that shocks enemies.
- Loki, the god of tricks, summons illusions and the poisonous breath of the world serpent.
- Freyja, the goddess of love, fertility, and war, brings balance between attack and support.
- Brokk and Sindri, dwarves and master blacksmiths, offer powerful artifacts that increase attack strength.
- Odin, the god of wisdom and war, allows for faster progression and tactical advantages.
- Skadi, the goddess of winter and hunting, uses ice powers to slow down enemies.
The progression system follows a roguelike format, with each round providing gold that is used to purchase permanent upgrades. Players can improve specific gods, classes, or passive bonuses, which opens up more strategies in future attempts.
Visual effects during battles, map design, and animations of the gods' powers contribute to the atmosphere of epic combat in mythical chaos.
The game is still in early access, but it already offers a deep and challenging experience for genre enthusiasts. Given the planned upgrades and additional content, Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel promises to become a significant title in the world of roguelike games.
A copy of the game for review purposes was provided by the publisher Grindstone Games
