Assassin Creed games are far from running out of ideas, as they have a ton of historical settings and cultures to play with. Exploring viking is definitely one of the more popular ideas when it comes to watch culture you want to work with. A lot of people love vikings, and so it is no surprise that they appear in many video games.
Until Assassin's Creed: Ragnarok comes out, here are some viking/Norse-inspired games you get you ready.
10 Northgard
Available on Steam, Northgard is a strategy game based on Norse mythology. You control a clan of vikings who are trying to colonize a mysterious new continent. It has board game elements as well as real-time strategy type of mechanics. There are also different clans to play for different play-styles.
The game was released in 2018 and got a lot of very positive reviews.
9 Expeditions: Viking
In this game, you play as the newly appointed chieftain of a viking clan. Like Northgard, you are tasked with bettering your village with resources from other lands. Unlike Northgard, it has more RPG elements. The story and characters you meet are interesting and you get to make your own character. You can side with different factions and choose between raiding and trading with different groups. It is a high recommend for anyone who likes tactical RPGs.
8 Jotun
This action-adventure title is a hidden gem. You play as Thora, a deceased viking who had an inglorious death. To get to impress the gods and get to Valhalla, she has to defeat various Jötunn.
Part of what makes this game so special is that it uses hand-drawn animation, which gives it an almost storybook feel. Don't let that style fool you though, as the bosses can be challenging. The one complaint from most players is that they wish the game was longer.
7 Volgarr The Viking
This action platformer brings the player back to arcade-style games. The controls are simple, but the difficulty can get high. Many have called this game to be like Ghosts and Goblins or Mega Man with a Viking theme.
Truly, the focus on this game is less on the viking aspect and more on the nostalgia of 80s arcade games. Still, it made it to this list since it is a highly rated game and could still be of interest to Assassin Creed players who want a little something different while they prepare for Ragnarok.
6 Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
This game has won many awards, and was released in 2017. It is set in the Viking Age and you play a woman who is basically on a vision quest through Viking Hell to save the soul of her dead lover.
The games' main strength is its narrative, which is a very important aspect. The story is very psychological, and a lot of players have reviewed it while opening up about their own mental health struggles, as the game apparently struck a cord with them. Like Jotun, a lot of players wish this game was longer.
5 God Of War 4
This game got a lot of hype, and deservedly so. The God of War series really has come a long way since their first title. Kratos has gone through a lot, and now he has a son is involved.
Vikings are less explored, but mythical creatures and gods are. The combat, as usual, is fantastic. The boss fights are unforgettable. You get to see Kratos as a wizened old man who still can fight on par with gods and monsters. If you haven't played it yet, it is never too late.
4 The Banner Saga
This series takes place in a fictional world that is inspired my Norse mythology. The game is an interactive story, so it changes depending on what decisions you make. U.S. Gamer wrote a review that called this game a "Game of Thrones Meets Vikings Meets Disney" kind of story. There is also a lot of variety, with 25 playable characters. Like Jotun, this series uses hand-drawn animation. It is also safe to say that the series was partly inspired by The Oregon Trail.
Basically, your job is to take care of a caravan. You'll have to deal with bandits, betrayal, rationing, and more. Just be aware, the consequences of your choices can be very brutal.
3 Vikings: Wolves Of Midgard
This 2017 game got pretty mixed reviews, so we leave that part to your discretion. Players have said this game is like Diablo III but set in the viking world. You may die a lot, as you often need to stick near fires or else you may freeze to death. The mechanics are pretty much hack and slash. There are puzzles, side-quests, and bosses at the end of every level.
You get to play as a viking warrior or a shieldmaiden and get to travel to places from Norse mythology like Niflheim, Balheim, and Midgard.
2 Asgard's Wrath
This is for a particularly different gaming experience, as this game is the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. The game is an action-adventure RPG. It is a big game for a VR experience, as reviews noted that the main story takes 25 hours to beat if you do not stay much from the main path. Apparently, ther is a lot to explore.
You get to play different characters and you can have animal buddies! It has become known as the best and most ambitious VR game, so it is kind of a big deal.
1 Zombie Vikings
Unlike the rest of this list, this game focuses on humor. You are sent on a mission to retrieve Odin's lost eye. You can play as co-op or single player and get to choose between four different zombie vikings who all have their own unique powers. There are also a ton of weapons you can unlock.
So, you actually play as zombie vikings, not fight them. Instead, you fight a lot of other monsters and sometimes even humans. The storyline is loved for its humor, so if you need a giggle, this is a great choice.