Episode 20 - The Lost Vikings
Retro Spectives7 Okt 2019

Episode 20 - The Lost Vikings

What happens when you fuse two different genres together? Sometimes you discover something special, like action-rpgs, which go on to become a dominant force in the industry at large. But there are other combinations that have struggled to reach that kind of prominence. Way back in 1992, Blizzard tried to make a side-scrolling puzzle/platformer called The Lost Vikings, a game where the player takes control of 3 vikings in turn, all with unique strengths and weaknesses. Only by working as a team can they overcome the many challenges in their way. Does this lead to a compelling gameplay experience, or is Blizzard right to have never remade this game, giving them only cameo appearances in other more successful titles?

On this episode, we discuss:

  • Are difficult platforming and light puzzle solving a match made in heaven? Or do they have competing priorities that lead to a confused experience?
  • Titles like Super Meat Boy and Celeste are covered with insta-death obstacles, but are usually 1 screen challenges. Is insta-death still fun on much larger levels?
  • The Lost Vikings is yet another title without a music volume slider. Who figured out that there was a music mute button, and who suffered through 11 hours of pain?

We answer these questions, and many more, on the 20th episode of the Retro Spectives Podcast!

If you enjoyed the show and would like to continue the conversation, feel free to head on over to our Discord which you can find here or on our website. Thanks for listening!

Avsnitt(141)

Episode 107: Luigi's Mansion

Episode 107: Luigi's Mansion

Luigi’s Mansion was the cornerstone of the Nintendo Gamecube’s launch in 2001.  It sold more copies than any other launch title, received positive critical acclaim, and occupied prime place in every p...

26 Juni 202353min

Episode 106: Unreal

Episode 106: Unreal

Unreal was the Crysis of its time.  It pushed PCs to their absolute limits, with its advanced shader effects and enormous levels.  It featured AI that was far beyond the stilted and simplistic enemies...

5 Juni 20231h 8min

Episode 105: Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

Episode 105: Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

When Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers first released in 1993, it was not a crack commercial hit.  It did however instantly earn itself widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its dark ...

18 Maj 20231h 15min

Episode 104: Arx Fatalis

Episode 104: Arx Fatalis

Arkane Studios was founded with a dream: to create a sequel to the highly revered grandfather of immersive sims Ultima Underworld.  Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t quite secure the rights to the...

26 Apr 20231h 29min

Episode 103: Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Episode 103: Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Puzzles are like crack cocaine for their very special audience.  Whether it be a crossword, a logic problem, or even a riddle, unravelling them shoots a heavy dose of endorphins directly to the brain....

3 Apr 202359min

Episode 102: Homeworld

Episode 102: Homeworld

Relic Entertainment has a long history of innovating in the RTS space.  Both Company of Heroes and Dawn of War are much beloved and respected titles that could hold their heads high even when compared...

16 Mars 20231h 28min

Episode 101: Fable

Episode 101: Fable

Before Todd Howard’s promises about the climbability of mountains was Peter Molyneux and Fable, a game which promised a level of interactivity never seen before in an RPG.  Have children (that could c...

20 Feb 20231h 26min

Episode 100: Pathologic 2

Episode 100: Pathologic 2

The original Pathologic has long been regarded as a cult classic.  Obtuse, frustrating, boring and unfriendly, it nonetheless captured people’s imaginations with its densely woven storytelling and mys...

30 Jan 20232h 24min

Populärt inom Fritid

somna-med-henrik
uggla-ugglas-podcast
man-i-grupp
roda-vita-rosen
rss-livsreglerna
travpodden
rss-horrujeje
spokhistorier
rss-max-tant-med-max-villman
elbilsveckan
avsuttet-med-elsa-johanna
svenska-fpl-podden
rss-speljuntan
skillnadens-av-sara-backmo
rss-odla
kontrollbehov
sexet
tp-podden
rss-okrystat
rss-vara-klassiker