Jotun is an action/exploration game, set in a world embraced by Norse mythology. But, even if Thora manages to survive the fight, this is just the first boss of the entire game. We were given a second chance to recover from an inglorious death and attempt to enter Valhalla. The Jotun screams, roots start coming out of it and fiercely attacks us over and over again. One of the mighty Jotun rise up from below, presenting a size that completely changes the camera angle until it showcases the entire scenario from a top down view, leaving the main character as a mere insect. Given our limited set of actions, we hit nature with our axe. We enter a forest with only a strange flower in the center of it. This alone is reminiscent of Shadow Of The Colossus, but the desolate atmosphere and often empty landscapes only reinforce the impression.The doors finally open. Although there are more minor enemies here and there, and one level is filled with them, Jotun is very much focused on its boss battles. But it’s a much simpler action adventure than that. In gameplay terms it’s tempting to compare the game to Zelda: A Link To The Past, because that’s what it often looks like in screenshots. Inevitably, the painted backdrops seem even more static as a result, but the top down view is still used in some interesting ways – such as the stunning opening shot. There’s not a polygon to be seen anywhere, with enemies and other in-game objects animated in a style that is almost unique, either now or at any other time in video game history. No doubt developer Thunder Lotus were hoping for comparisons with Studio Ghibli, but while it’s not quite that it’s certainly reminiscent of the work of Don Bluth. The visual presentation is just as strong, with the game’s key selling point being its extravagant, hand-drawn animation. That seems a tall order when Thora only starts out with an ordinary axe, but the gods do help out along the way. All she has to do is kill the jotun, who are the basis for the frost giants in the Thor comics and movies.
She starts the game suffering an ignoble death by drowning, but once she reaches the afterlife the gods offer her a second chance to prove her worth and enter Valhalla. Jotun casts you a shield maiden who goes by the gloriously old school name of Thora. Which just goes to prove that everyone thinks Vikings are cool.
Even though the developers of Jotun are Canadian. The myths and characters have always been fertile ground for video games, but few have ever felt as authentic as this new indie download. Thanks to Marvel, Norse mythology has probably never been more popular than since back when people actually though Odin and co. Jotun: Valhalla Edition (Wii U) – the legend of ThoraĪ mixture of Zelda and Shadow Of The Colossus make this beautifully animated indie adventure one to savour.
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