Developer Background
Nestled in the heart of Kosice, Slovakia, Games Farm has grown from humble beginnings into a globally recognized independent game development studio. With a team of over 50 talented professionals, the studio specializes in crafting premium cross-platform experiences for PC and consoles. Their portfolio boasts over 20 released titles, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in the RPG genre.
Among their celebrated works, Games Farm is best known for the Heretic Kingdoms franchise, a standout series that has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following. Their commitment to quality has earned them multiple accolades, including the GameStop Best Indie Game Award and the prestigious Slovak Game of the Year title.
Games Farm’s team comprises some of the brightest and most experienced developers in the region, many of whom have honed their skills on AAA projects before joining the studio. With a dedication to innovation and storytelling, Games Farm continues to expand their impressive catalog of RPGs, earning their reputation as a trailblazer in the indie gaming world.
Gameplay & Design
Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is a straightforward yet addictive roguelike horde-survivor that knows how to keep you coming back for more. The gameplay isn’t overly complex, but its satisfying progression system and relentless action make it a standout.
You start by choosing one of four unique character classes, each equipped with its own weapons and abilities. After selecting your class, you pick a map—two are available during early access, with more promised in the full release. The action begins immediately, marked by a countdown timer (admittedly my least favorite feature, though I understand its purpose). This timer runs continuously as you battle waves of enemies.
As you fight through the relentless horde, you’ll collect gold, experience crystals, and other items to level up and strengthen your character. Each level gained offers a choice between two upgrade paths: God levels, which grant powerful divine abilities, and Class levels, which enhance your character’s unique skills. Within these paths, you’ll choose between passive abilities and autocast abilities. Here’s where strategy comes into play: you’re limited to three God autocasts, two Class autocasts, and six passive abilities, allowing for meaningful customization.
As you level up and become stronger, don’t expect the game to get easier. The hordes grow tougher and more relentless the longer you play. Your ultimate objective is to summon and slay the Jotunn—a goal that ties directly to the game’s name. To summon this formidable foe, you must complete a series of objectives to unlock a totem. However, there’s a catch: after completing one objective, you have to wait for the next to become available. While this downtime might give you a chance to level up, it feels like an unnecessary pause in an otherwise fast-paced experience. A reward system for completing objectives quickly could balance the leveling aspect.
When your run ends—whether by victory or defeat—you earn two types of currency. Crystals, awarded only for defeating a Jotunn, allow you to purchase new weapons that unlock additional abilities for your character classes. Gold, earned regardless of success, is used to buy skill points that enhance stats like damage, health, and movement speed. You can also use gold to evolve abilities, enabling further upgrades during gameplay.
Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel nails the balance between simplicity and depth, with a rewarding progression system and a relentless challenge that keeps you hooked. It’s still in early access, but the foundation is solid, and with a few tweaks—like improving the pacing of objectives—it could become a must-play for fans of roguelike and horde-survival games alike.
Feedback
One of the most divisive elements of Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel is the timer. While it adds a layer of urgency and structure to the gameplay, it can also feel restrictive and at odds with the game’s otherwise fast-paced and rewarding progression.
The timer runs continuously from the moment you start, dictating the flow of the game and limiting how quickly you can complete objectives. This is particularly noticeable when finishing one goal and having to wait for the next to become available. While the downtime might give players an opportunity to level up and prepare for tougher challenges, it also disrupts the momentum, especially for those who thrive on completing objectives as quickly as possible.
A potential improvement could be a reward system that incentivizes faster completion of goals. For example, completing an objective quickly could trigger the next one sooner or offer bonus rewards, making the timer feel like an integral part of the challenge rather than a barrier. This adjustment would cater to players who prefer a more fluid experience while maintaining the balance for those who enjoy the pacing as it is.
Verdict
Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel nails the balance between simplicity and depth, with a rewarding progression system and a relentless challenge that keeps you hooked. It’s still in early access, but the foundation is solid, and with a few tweaks—like improving the pacing of objectives—it could become a must-play for fans of roguelike and horde-survival games alike.
