Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Valhalla: Before the War places you in the shoes of the mysterious mentor guiding Infinity through a series of macabre trials. From the very first level, the game challenges you with a blend of cerebral puzzle-solving and stealthy navigation. You’ll need to carefully observe traps, hazards, and environmental clues to progress, making each step feel weighty and consequential.

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The control scheme is intuitive yet deep. Pressing the joystick button brings up a radial menu of icons that let you access the level map, examine objects, pick up or operate items, and switch to your inventory. Whenever you combine an inventory item with something in the environment, additional icons appear, giving you the sense of a fully interactive world. This design encourages experimentation and rewards curiosity.

Resource management is critical. Two bars flank the screen: stamina and flask time. Stamina drains when you stand on spikes or in poison clouds, and if it reaches zero, you’re forced to restart. The flask bar counts down as you carry time-sensitive potions, creating tense moments where you must balance exploration against the ticking timer. The balance of hazard avoidance and timed objectives keeps gameplay engaging and unpredictable.

Graphics

The mystical halls of Valhalla come to life with stunning pixel art and richly detailed backgrounds. Each of the four vast levels offers a distinct visual theme—icy catacombs, torchlit corridors, vine-choked atriums, and shadowy armories. The artists have layered textures and ambient lighting to give each chamber a unique atmosphere.

Character sprites are crisp and expressive, conveying Infinity’s determination and your mentor’s stoic guidance with just a few pixels of animation. Environmental animations—like flickering torches, dripping water, and shifting shadows—add to the sense of immersion. Even minor set pieces, such as broken statues or rusted gates, feel meticulously crafted.

Cutscenes and narrative interludes use a combination of static artwork and subtle motion effects, striking a balance between story-driven moments and uninterrupted gameplay. Sound design further complements the visuals, with echoing footsteps, distant wails, and the ominous creak of castle doors enhancing the overall mood.

Story

Serving as a prequel to Valhalla and the Lord of Infinity, this game delves into Infinity’s dark past and his corrosive envy of his brother, King Garamond. Born too late to claim the throne, Infinity’s resentment simmers beneath every whispered conversation and puzzle you solve. As his mentor, you witness firsthand how hatred shapes his destiny.

The narrative unfolds gradually through environmental storytelling and cryptic dialogue. You uncover letters, faded tapestries, and graffiti scrawled on castle walls that hint at past betrayals and forbidden rituals. These story fragments build tension, making each revelation feel earned rather than forced.

Importantly, the game avoids heavy-handed exposition. Instead, it trusts players to piece together the tragic sibling rivalry and the forces driving Infinity toward murder. This subtle approach gives the story a haunting, layered quality that lingers long after you’ve paused the game.

Overall Experience

Valhalla: Before the War is a captivating blend of puzzles, resource management, and narrative intrigue. Its emphasis on communication through icons and inventory interactions makes you feel like an active participant in Infinity’s rise to infamy. The dual-bar mechanic—tracking stamina and flask time—injects tension into every corridor and chamber.

The game’s pacing is deliberate, allowing you to savor the eerie castle atmosphere while steadily raising the stakes. Occasional spikes in difficulty challenge your problem-solving skills without ever feeling unfair. And because the map system lets you mark points of interest, you can plan your approach carefully or charge in headfirst for a more visceral experience.

For fans of story-driven adventures and classic puzzle games, Valhalla: Before the War delivers a memorable journey. Its blend of captivating visuals, nuanced storytelling, and thoughtful mechanics ensures that both newcomers and veterans of the series will find something to admire. Step into the shadows of Valhalla—you’ll emerge changed.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10