I do not think I typically associate 2D side-scrollers with base-building, but when I think about it for a moment, games like Terraria and Starbound come to mind. But if I have to compare Sons of Valhalla to something, it will be a game more like Kingdom. It’s a single player action game that has tons of vicious Viking battles, base building, strategy and even RPG elements.
Before we get to the Vikings swinging axes and clapping flaming pitch against each other with catapults, I have to point out how completely beautiful this game is. There is truly amazing pixel art and finely detailed animation, not to mention a day and night cycle and weather effects ranging from heavy thunderstorms to cloudy fog. I could just stand in the world and watch it all day if it was not filled with enemies thirsting for my blood.
In the Sons of Valhalla, your father has been killed and your beloved has been abducted by your enemy, an earl named Valgard, and you swear to save her and take revenge, even if it means chopping off the limbs of everyone in England. You are not just a warrior, you are also a builder and you will design, maintain and upgrade structures such as barracks, fish huts and mead tents to give birth to new soldiers and provide weapons and sustenance.
Once you have some loyal followers, you can lead them on a bloody quest to the right of the screen, where you will fight against enemy villagers and soldiers eager to stop you. Attacking enemy cities will give you more resources you can use to make your own base stronger.
You are an agile Viking who is able to dodge-rolling, light and heavy melee attacks and long range attacks with a bow, and as you progress through England you can upgrade your skills and fighting skills. Unfortunately, you are not the only one with a base, and both you and your enemies can build and use siege engines and flaming arrows to destroy barricades and gates and invade each other’s strongholds.
Just do not forget to take the relatively few peaceful moments and just enjoy the scenery. Sons of Valhalla reviewed a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year and expects to launch in December 2020. You can find it here on Steamand there is also a nice and violent trailer to look at above.