A fighting game where fighting is (kind of) optional: Nidhogg

[@Joker22593]

I got to meet the guys who made Nidhogg once. They were surprisingly quiet and shy. Except for the composer. He was the center of attention and life of the party.

[@rockstar-technology]

Mux Mool?

[@doomhowar]

Nidhogg 2 is strange style wise, but they definitely made the combat far more fluid and dynamic.

[@wilburdemitel8468]

The style makes it not worth it

[@doomhowar]

@wilburdemitel8468 although I would disagree, you free to feel that way. After all, aesthetic choices aren't quantifiable.

[@clumsygarage1578]

I like Nidhogg 2, but I really think that the ability to spam kicks as fast as you can click when you’re disarmed makes the combat much worse IMO. If you’re both unarmed it’s complete RNG. Also the weapon balance feels a bit wonky, although I know you can turn off the other weapons.

[@grimgrahamch.4157]

I didn't like it. The new aesthetic looked atrocious and adding different weapons ruined the simple, yet perfectly balanced and nuanced mechanics of the original.

[@doomhowar]

@grimgrahamch.4157 I like the look of 1 more but it feels clunky to run around. 2 added enough movement tech and level variety to make it way more replayable. With 4 maps, one weapon, and limited movement capabilitys, matches play out so similarly that you lose interest in playing after like an hour. Similar to duck game or the finals, nh2 duals can be way more exciting due to their innumerable variables.

[@NeiZaMo]

My favorite fighting game where fighting is optional is New Super Mario Bros. multiplayer.

[@stray1239]

fighting is optional, I just choose to do it

[@RhiannaAtriedes]

When one person gets the blue shell you know the fight is beginning

[@raser4329]

Fighting is optional in game, but it caused many in real life

[@just2607]

Fighting is technically optional. For me it's mandatory

[@trevoreyre2775]

Remember the level where you float down a poisonous swamp? Best battlefield in that game. Good times.

[@calliopehu1924]

your discussion of how fighting is "optional" in other fighting games but how it requires some intent on the part of the loser reminds me of Michael vs. Bananas or ledge abuse in Smash Bros Melee, where the winning player is essentially able to force a timeout by making approach impossible.

[@midshipman8654]

Something I like a about nidhogg’s “advantage state” gameplay loop is that it reminds me of “priority” in saber and foil fencing. A rule where the person who doesnt move first MUST defend against their opponents advance before they can attack back. Giving a sense of ebb and flow to a bout, similar to how there is an advancing vs defending player in nidhogg with different goals. And similarly, when the “defender” succeeds, he becomes the “advancer”, and the roles are reversed, until he hits and wins, or he himself is successfully parried and becomes the defender again. causing an exciting back and forth or a full steam ahead blitz to the end. I get the sense the creator may have tried to embody this shifting game state from fencing, but I cant be sure. Where your abilities don’t change, but your goals do. Regardless, its a very interesting example of priority in games.

[@frumiousgaming]

Very interesting, I didn’t know that about fencing, thanks!

[@midshipman8654]

⁠​⁠@@frumiousgamingYour welcome! And thanks for the comment! its only in foil and saber, not epee though. so specifically I think it might be inspired by foil fencing because of the thrusting and more obvious back and forth (saber tends to end quick). Again, may be a presumption on my part, but the sense of defending and advancing in nidhogg really does echo that sort of dynamic. I always like it when gameplay has novel ways to get across certain dynamic. like how you can fight or just run past the opponent if you have advantage.

[@frumiousgaming]

@@midshipman8654 definitely, I would be curious to find out if the Nidhogg developers had some background in fencing. I don’t know if you’ve watched any ‘style select’ videos on the channel SugarPunch, they should do one about sword-based fighting styles if they haven’t already

[@NAnanawow]

@@midshipman8654 Epee has an implied right of way in the fencers' actions. It just isn't codified like saber or foil.

[@Eegal-Ayed]

Used to play Eggnog almost every day on the bus back from middle school, I don't remember how I got it onto my school computer and I didn't know Nidhogg existed until years later. Such great memories! I'm gonna have to download both now, I didn't even know they were still available!

[@nottactical6988]

I once came across Nidhogg 2 as an arcade machine in a bar in Boise and it was the best way to experience that game imaginable. Highly, highly recommended.

[@frumiousgaming]

Damn if I’m ever in Boise

[@bloodyclan43]

the game is literally dead.. there is no players u cant find anyone to play with unless u got friends.. or family members

[@EdKolis]

This game looks like it was inspired by childhood games of "run to the fence before your friends with sticks for swords can stop you".

[@Preston241]

Such an amazing game. Thanks for the other recommendations in the genre.

[@LunaciousZ]

this and bushido blade satisfy my need to one-hit throw-kill at the beginning of a match

[@sadpee7710]

man i get so many great game recommendations from these vids

[@frumiousgaming]

Let me know if you end up trying any of them out!

[@noahthompson95]

Great video! Nidhogg is a well-designed video game that's been in the back of my head for a while now - I like its minimalism and the way it plays, and you perfectly captured everything I thought was great about it in this video. What I HADN'T thought of was the fact that it becomes a platformer - but you're absolutely right. I much prefer Nidhogg 1 to 2 as the visual clarity is much more superior, and it's also just less ugly. The most interesting thing about Nidhogg 1's stages that I don't see a lot of people talk about is the fact that the centers of them all have a giant setpiece - Wilds has the waterfall, Clouds has the bridge, Mines has the oil pump, and Castle has the titular chandelier. It serves as a marker for who's winning or not, and it feels awesome to see them again when you come back from a losing position. I hadn't known about Eggnog+ - that's really cool, I'll have to check it out!

[@jaxelt1]

The chandelier is not technically "titular" in Castle. :)

[@timonwhittingham2141]

seems like a fun game

[@smileyp4535]

It is

[@wiseSYW]

this is my first time knowing this genre and I would classify this as a 'capture the flag' pvp platformer

[@matthewseggelink1192]

Hi there one of the only people that actually played Nidhogg 2. The neutral was wild when you both had bows. Daggers are bad.

[@gangamel5979]

I love the daggers!

[@KyranFindlater]

I really enjoyed First Cut when i played it about a year ago. Very smooth and enjoyable gameplay and art

[@thefrenchselkie1401]

eggnogg+ was my childhood game of choice with my friends haha

[@unclasp]

I'd love to hear your opinion on superfighters deluxe!

[@frumiousgaming]

I’ll check it out!

[@Yadid1]

"Series of bastards in your way" That's it, I'm subscribing.

[@frumiousgaming]

We’ll fight the bastards together 💪

[@caravaneerkhed]

You forgot to mention when you win in nidhogg you have to raise your sword skyward and shout nidhogg at the top of your lungs until you are devoured

[@zackwalker1789]

Nidhogg is quite fun as long as both players engage in combat. It becomes really boring when someone decides they want to just run past you every time

[@smileyp4535]

Never heard of eggnogg+ looks fun!!

[@racoonnylord4343]

Hellish Quart (especially in its early days with only the three sabers) is similar to the subject of the first video! in general, most hits will score a point, but a weak shot to the hand or leg is only going to cause discomfort rather than death

[@dimas152mm]

seconding this he should cover hellish quart

[@MezzoForte4]

tfw when people mention Hellish Quart but not Bushido Blade :(

[@dimas152mm]

@@MezzoForte4 bushido blade is already mentioned in the video before this one

[@matricepeinard7879]

Love this game so so so much. The new map is dope

[@leechesg]

Griefhelm is a great game, but I played it a looong time ago when it was far less developed, so I'm sure it's even better now

[@-redacted-6240]

Holy shit another video on this game

[@StoryTeller796]

This "optional fighting" thing would give the boring and stale competitive Smash Bros style of fighting a much more varied and interesting format to fight in, especially for some characters that have tools or speed that forces them to disingage with their opponents. You, my dear good friend, have single-handedly provided me with a testing ground for a new Smash Bros mode format, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope that your games continue to succeed, and Merry Christmas!

[@brandonmorehouse7507]

What? Optional fighting has already been shown to do the exact opposite of what you say it would do

[@The_Wosh]

Nidhogg 2 is fun, but not as fun as the original. The customization aspect is neat, but the game feels slower and sluggish compared to how snappy Nidhogg is, probably because of the animation

[@thatrandomgameragain8984]

I used to play eggnog+ and I never heard of nidhugg

[@enterchannelname8981]

Great video, and I'm going to check out Nidhogg!

[@AimlessSavant]

Anybody remember the RoosterTeeth crew playing this a decade ago? Good times..

[@A_Simple_Neurose]

Me and a friend blasted nidhogg during the breaks in school some 7 years ago. Excellent game, especially when you get a little crowd behind you cheering. Miss those days somewhat, hope he's doing well.

[@thestarsaligned]

LOL listening to him say MERRIO is so funny lol 😂

[@whodathunkfunk]

I was told my music would work well in this game so I bought it but haven't had a chance to play it yet

[@NotFunctional-ever]

I thought nidhogg was some rythym game song that goes 'WHEEEEYOOO'

[@Definitely_a_Fox]

I wasn't expecting to hear Oddworld get brought up, mind you the first game has one hit deaths. Maybe something to think about?

[@ariovistus1491]

this is good analysis

[@ThatChristianMetaIhead]

i remember watching ihazcupquakes video on this game often as a kid

[@reallyman6502]

this is what dark souls pvp should be

[@theblakwarior]

Ah, nidhogg. Very fun game, but there is quite a bit of tech to it.

[@TheGloriousLobsterEmperor]

Nidhog is pretty cool.

[@HitchcockJohn]

Wait, so you WANT to get devoured by Nidhogg?

[@frumiousgaming]

@@HitchcockJohn it comes to us all in the end

[@MG-ls8gm]

Hellish quarter and Kiai Resonance are good ones to check out

[@treebush]

You should give samurai showdown series a shot would like to hear your opinions on it

[@frumiousgaming]

I’ve got a video on the latest samsho game! I haven’t played any of the older ones yet kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHSwq2eZbruVqZI

[@Suprsim]

No comments on Hellish Quart?

[@frumiousgaming]

I’m going to make a separate video about 3D one hit fighters

[@robbedacop9680]

yes nidhodg im happy

[@DanialTarki]

The blood colors remind me of Nitrome Must Die!

[@lovalmidas]

American football, but with swords. :D

[@frumiousgaming]

Sounds like the games workshop game blood bowl 🤣

[@rtrain4779]

Hyperfight vid?

[@hazzaeatsshorts]

Isn't that mario hammer bro comparison just dr Jekyll and mr hyde

[@frumiousgaming]

Now there’s an idea for a game 🤔

[@alpacaofthemountain8760]

Cool!

[@NoU-jc4kq]

I remember techno playing this once

[@derrmeister]

Nice video, certainly shows a lot of effort has been put into it. I wish I could voice my opinions half as well. Also I wish I knew what the artstyles of niddhogg 2 and atomicrops reminds me of, but certainly not oddworld. Oddworld always felt subtly more realistic, although alien, where the other two look just goofy. Claymation definitely hits the spot but I feel unable to pin it down exactly.

[@hoagie911]

They really did completely mess up the art style in Nidhogg 2

[@IchorousLIVE]

Any nidhogg players wanna match up?

[@frumiousgaming]

There’s a Nidhogg discord server with a matchmaking channel, it’s not super active but could be worth trying!

[@spider59er35]

Me remembering when Nerd3 covered the game📝

[@frumiousgaming]

Did they compare it to super Mario bros?

[@grynte1]

Nidhogg brings me back, played it back when it came out, second game isnt that much of an upgrade ngl

[@midlbrwn15]

Lets bring back nidhogg guys please. Nidhogg 2 was disappointing mostly because of the art style change

[@khalyllife]

Why they move so goofy tho 🤣

[@The_Jumping_Box]

the pronunciation of "nidhogg" (needth hoge) hurts my soul

[@frumiousgaming]

😭 sorry mate, this is the only way I’ve heard it pronounced before

[@thefongz2931]

I hated Nidhogg 2's art style until I actually played it for myself. It's actually a really beautiful looking game. And yeah mechanically it is just Nidhogg but better, with the option to restrict it back to rapiers and play like Nidhogg 1 again if you want. I'll always have a huge soft spot for Nidhogg 1 and its super-retro aesthetic, but the sequel is about as perfect as one could hope for.

[@Holyshiet46]

is that the fucking game from the regular show gameplays with mordecai and rigby

[@frumiousgaming]

I’ve never watched that show lol but I searched and found this kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHaaoaWtm79rpJIsi=qpji70ZZuRkCRHaQ

[@dj_koen1265]

nidhog2 is fun although the artstyle is weird, but the original is weird too tbh

[@youregenericjoeboibcyes]

rember this game aint so easy

[@himedo1512]

>Says one-hit kill >shows people surviving hits what

[@Lavafish2525]

Niddhog 2 is great 👍

[@cannonfodder4000]

Such an awesome game, shame about the second game's ugly art style

[@opie5314]

Classic game

[@momom6197]

Nidhogg 2 is the best game I've ever played for how ugly it is.

[@MajencioyFulgencia]

Er mangel

[@sunofabeach9424]

this game is soooooo dead and here is a review

[@deadlypandaghost]

Nidhog is fun. Nidhog 2 sucks.