Epic Norse Adventure Worthy Of The Gods In ‘Jotun’
Welcome to Indie Spotlight!
Norse mythology has stood out as a popular storytelling theme in games for decades. I have fond memories of trekking through Blizzard’s The Lost Vikings as a kid, and like many across the world I’m enjoying Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Today, we take a look at another entry into the ever expanding list of Norse gaming — Jotun!
Developed by Thunder Lotus Games, Jotun puts you in the life of a Norse warrior named Thora. Actually, it’s in the death of Thora. The tale begins with Thora drowning at sea when a raging storm destroys her ship and takes everyone with her. She finds herself at a spiritual crossroads, where she is placed into a series of challenges in order to appease the Gods and earn her place in Valhalla.
The game is part action, part exploration. Each level is a vast landscape representing the nine worlds that branch from Yggdrasil. They contain puzzles and dangers that lead you to rune fragments required to unlock doors.
Behind these doors are great warriors of the realm. I’m talking Shadow of the Colossus-level boss fights. They tower over you like skyscrapers — my first thought every time was “How in the hell!?” Yet you must fight on and prove your worth!
Stylistically, this is a beautiful game — the entirety of its graphics and animation is HAND-DRAWN. It has a soft, vibrant look like so few other titles. In certain areas, the camera will zoom out and show miles of breathtaking landscape, conveying the daunting scale of your journey.
You even get to enjoy some education through Thora’s narrative. As you progress through the game, Thora fills the idle time with tales of the realms and Gods. It’s a great way to learn more about Norse mythology!
Jotun offers a captivating story with epic battles, and should appeal gamers of all levels. Grab yourself a copy on Steam!
