

One of the best parts of gaming is participating in epic, well-designed boss fights. We all enjoy overcoming what seems like an impossible challenge, and the feelings of satisfaction that are gained from doing so cannot be compared to anything else. Jotun took the idea of challenging and unique boss battles and based an entire game around that principle. Much like Shadow of the Colossus, the only gameplay in-between boss fights is getting to other boss fights.



When I first booted up the alpha, I was met by a bit of text describing the backstory of the game. The basic version is that you play as Thora, who unfortunately did not meet her demise in as glorious a way as she could have hoped. In order to enter Valhalla, Thora must prove herself to the Gods by defeating the hulking behemoths. However, she is not alone in her journey. Thora receives powers from the Gods, which assist her in and out of battle.

Jotun is an empty game. I experienced feelings of loneliness while exploring the frozen wastelands, as I saw neither a person nor an animal for the entirety of my play. The game shines at creating an atmospheric experience that really immerses you in the world. I felt the bite of the wind when I was unable to get behind cover during a heavy snow storm. I got frightened by the mysterious shadow darting by underneath the ice I was walking across. I felt a surge of joy as I came across a simple tree, isolated on a small patch of snow. The only other source of life that I found in my journey that wasn’t hostile.



Contrary to what most believe, I think that Jotun is not just a game about battling difficult bosses. It is a game that attempts to give the player feelings of fear, loneliness, and hope. You feel fear when you see the creature lurking under your feat. Loneliness when you walk for long periods of time without encountering any other life forms. Hope, when you come across a tree containing a golden apple. Eating the apple increases your overall health, which provides just enough of a motivational boost to let you know that you will emerge victorious from your next combat encounter.

While the boss encounter available in the alpha was extremely challenging and entertaining to play, I found myself going back and enjoying the exploration aspect of the game. The field of view is often quite narrow, meaning that you can see very little of what lies ahead. This gives the exploration a sense of mystery and uncertainty as you never know what will lie in wait around the next corner, or a bit further up the path. The most interesting aspect of the exploration that was showcased in the alpha was the use of high ground to provide a further view. In one of the more maze-like areas, there were hills that you could climb up in order to get a further view of the map. This led to me having to memorize what paths led where, and where I needed to go in order to get the items or abilities I was looking for.



In terms of the final encounter, it did a fantastic job of piecing together the overall experience of the alpha, and really made it feel like a complete level, so to speak. It took me a little under two hours to complete the content that was provided, and I could definitely see myself doing a bit more exploration, as I know for a fact I didn’t grab all of the extra golden apples, as well as there still being a mysterious statue that I just couldn’t figure out the purpose of. The encounter was challenging, taking me three or four tries to complete it, which I luckily ended with only a sliver of health remaining. The satisfaction of victory led me to throw my hands in the air, and I felt a genuine sense of accomplishment.

Jotun’s alpha exceeded my expectations for the game. The visuals were absolutely stunning, and the animations of not only your character, but the other creatures were extremely well done. The combat system felt very solid, and I was using keyboard and mouse controls. I feel that it would be even more so if I were to use a gamepad, and I recommend giving it a test with both to see what you like best if you have a chance to try the game. If you haven’t heard of Jotun, have a look at their official site to get an idea of what the game is, and to treat your eyes to a feast of visual entertainment.