I arranged the appointment for Vikings on Trampolines without knowing the name of the game. It was presented to me as a brand new license carried by the D-Pad studio, the creators of Owlboy. It's always quits or double this kind of interviews. You can end up with the game that will mark your gamescom, or on the contrary with something that does not correspond at all to the games you like. Unfortunately, it was a bit the second case this time... even if I must admit that the concept is ultra innovative so I was not disappointed despite everything.
The original idea was presented in 2011 and had won a prize at the time (Nordic Games Indie Sensation Award). The developer did not know how to create walking animations, so he fell back on jumps, which were easier to model. And it is from this concept that all the gameplay was invented. Another major change then occurred because of the covid: the addition of a single player mode.
Vikings on Trampolines is therefore a party-game, for one to four players, where the main objective is to bounce to stay on one of the level's trampolines. Very accessible, the controls of the game are limited to the use of a single joystick. Right or left. Down to come down quickly. Up to dive jump. And that's all ! I tested on the tutorial, and the grip is immediate.
Then... it's far from being so simple. In the classic mode demo, the two developers found themselves surviving on a boat that moves, breaks in half, or has part of it sink, all while surviving attacks from a vicious boss. A mini-game boils down to a jump rope. A local versus mode is there to settle accounts with friends (an online mode could be offered later). Finally, as if that weren't enough, there's even a huge ball football game (it doesn't look very convenient to score).
The D-Pad studio is currently working on adding bosses and mini-games, for a release scheduled for the end of next year, on PC and Switch (other platforms may be announced later). As I said in the introduction, it's absolutely not the style of play that attracts me. I'm too uncoordinated. However, I must recognize the originality of the gameplay, as well as the ease of handling. There is no doubt that fans of the genre will enjoy it!
