Jotun

Jotun (2015) is a fighting game where you prove yourself to the Norse gods by defeating mythical beasts. You forge your way to each beast's lair, then take them on, armed with only your axe and the magical abilities you're granted. These larger-than-life battles, that challenge both your skill and perseverance, feel like they've been plucked straight out of an ancient poem.

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You play Thora, a deadly Viking warrior who dies outside of battle. Missing out on a warrior's death, to gain entrance into Valhalla, you must enter purgatory and gain the gods' favour by defeating the Jotun, legendary beasts with immense power. You travel the entire land to find the runes that summon the Jotun, growing more powerful with each one you defeat and the ability you uncover.

Play involves traversing the world, forging new paths by cutting trees and finding hidden routes. You then solve a puzzle, such as making a particular star constellation from beams of light, to obtain a rune that summons one of the Jotun. Combat is fast-paced and sees you attacking the Jotun with your axe and magical abilities, dodging out of the way of devastating blows, and defeating small minions sent to hamper your efforts. As you play, explore, and defeat more enemies, you unlock and discover new abilities that increase your combat ability.

The result is a game that feels like a Norse myth come to life. The Icelandic voiceover, artefacts and monsters from real mythology, and the overwhelming odds you must overcome make for a novel, immersive, and deeply rich gameplay experience.

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Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Jotun 9 months ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 9 months ago.