Review | Odinfall - A Fusion Of Nuclear Throne And Norse Mythology

Intro

Giving off a strong first impression is difficult, especially in crowded genres where the competition is fierce. It’s challenging to stand out when other games already offer intense, fast-paced gameplay that’s easy to pick up but tough to master. Odinfall is trying perfectly to be the genuine successor to Nuclear Throne, and I’m not saying that loosely, it’s a given fact.

I’ve played many games over the years heavily inspired by Vlambeer’s game, but few have managed to carve out their own identity. Voidigo stood out for its charm and uniqueness. The concept of a chaotic, action-packed roguelite filled with enemies and bullets flying everywhere is easy to imagine, but few developers have the know-how to execute it well.

Odinfall takes those concepts to the next level, not only offering an experience akin to Nuclear Throne but also layering in depth that elevates the game to new heights. The combination of action roguelike mechanics, bullet hell, and tight spaces, all wrapped in a retro Norse aesthetic, makes it stand out. Drawing inspiration from multiple indie games, Odinfall features a killer soundtrack, a compelling story, and a cast of iconic Norse gods like Loki. Each encounter feels like a fight for survival and for the fate of mankind itself, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

Issues

While Odinfall is highly replayable, especially with the frequent updates, the game does suffer from some balancing issues that can be quite frustrating. The difficulty isn’t always about player skill; it often comes down to randomness. Depending on the level layout or enemy placement, runs often do not work in your favour, especially with off-screen enemies that can charge at you quickly, persistently leaving you no time to react as you take on the tougher stages.

In the early stages, the game feels like a grind. You start with minimal power and few weapons, which forces you to take a slow, defensive approach. As you progress, the difficulty curve begins to feel less about mastery and more about overcoming sheer odds as the bullet hell becomes unbearable without the proper skills and upgrades.

The progression system feels repetitive. When you start, you have so little to work with. It takes multiple failed runs to unlock new characters, weapons, and even the persistent skill tree itself. This creates a gameplay loop that can feel overly shallow when stages lack significant variation beyond different level layouts. The occasional crashes, though rare, also significantly lower the game’s appeal, as you’ll sometimes lose progress on a run when you did nothing wrong. When it happens, your run is lost, as there’s no checkpoint function. You won’t even know the seed for your previous run, as it’s only displayed if you finish the run normally.

Story

While many action roguelikes focus purely on gameplay, Odinfall offers a deeper narrative. The story revolves around Odin's attempt to instigate a second Ragnarök. Set in the futuristic world where human technology has advanced far more rapidly than any had anticipated, the player is tasked with stopping Odin and his destructive plans, aided by the trickster god Loki himself. He is in dire need of your assistance through the use of your human clones which seem to resemble names and personalities found within Norse mythology, like the Dark Elves.

Though my knowledge of Norse mythology is limited to the basics, I found the story creative and engaging. The game weaves mythology into its futuristic world turning it into something you’d see in a heavy metal album cover, with elements like the encroaching Fimbulwinter adding depth to the narrative and with each boss encounter revealing a new piece of that story, making the journey feel rich and purposeful. While Loki may not be thrilled about it, you’re his only hope, and since his body has been scattered across the realm, you’ll need to find it for him.

Presentation

The first time I laid ears on the soundtrack, I was hooked. Offering a blend of upbeat melodies, heavy metal riffs, and a touch of nostalgia, the soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere. It's incredibly engaging and doesn't hesitate to have fun with it. I found myself humming along during gameplay, often replaying specific levels just to hear the music instead of willingly exploring different routes.

The sound effects are equally impressive. Every single weapon and enemy sound feels distinct, avoiding the generic, overused effects often heard elsewhere. For example, the Gatling Laser’s revving and rapid-fire shots, combined with explosive and acidic bursts through attachments, created a satisfying auditory experience. The whizzing of enemy blades and intense combat sounds further immerse you in the action, which is a fantastic approach to this genre.

Melee, which surprisingly is very satisfying to play with, feels impactful. The ability to freely experiment with different combinations of weapons, skills, and upgrades is quite refreshing. Unlike many games where you have to rely on specific gear sporadically or pay for upgrades, Odinfall allows for constant experimentation without forcing you into one playstyle.

Impressively, upgrades often have multiple possible versions you can choose between, meaning let’s say you’ve just found an incredibly powerful attachment - you can decide if it will either increase your shot range or add a homing effect to any weapon. This alone showcases the game’s depth and endless possibilities. The best part? Even if you attach it to your starter gun or a weaker weapon, you can easily remove it with a press of a button, no gunsmith, no hassle. One attachment alone won’t guarantee success. This is the kind of gameplay expansion I love to see, elements that enhance the experience without artificially inflating time spent. 

Depending on the quality of each weapon, you can equip up to five attachments, allowing for some truly mind-bending builds that keep you glued to the screen. As you blast your way through endless mode, the challenge escalates, until you're inevitably taken down.

Gameplay

Odinfall may still be in Early Access, but it already delivers a thrilling mix of fast-paced action and its own unique twists, all set within procedurally generated levels. The game has received many updates since launch, refining both gameplay and presentation in meaningful ways, introducing new weapons, shopkeeper merchants (who you should treat well, or you'll regret it), and smoother early levels to ease newcomers into the chaotic end game.

The objective is simple: kill Odin. But getting there is anything but easy. You’ll need to gear up, carve your own path through a variety of challenging encounters, and battle your way to the ultimate showdown. As you progress, the difficulty escalates with new bosses, weapons, and story content, ensuring there's always something fresh to keep you engaged.

Drawing from Norse mythology, the game cleverly integrates its lore into gameplay. The world structure feels reminiscent of Super Mario World, while choosing your next destination. However, time is not on your side, linger too long in a level, and Fimbulwinter (the prelude to Ragnarök) will close in. If you don’t push forward quickly, you’ll face not just tougher enemies but also punishing ice-based hazards and movement restrictions, making survival an even greater challenge.

There are plenty of characters and play styles to choose from, each offering a unique play style.

First, there’s Britta, the Cyberserker. With her balance of offensive power and tankiness, she’s perfect for players seeking a safer yet aggressive approach to combat.

Next is Leifi, The Moose (my personal favourite). Leifi excels in a melee-focused playstyle, with a build centred around healing and high HP. He’s great for surviving and taking on the hordes of Midgard.

Then we have Gunilla, who’s all about firepower. She’s a challenging character to play, especially if you haven’t found the right sustain attachments. Her skill tree revolves around constant movement and aggressive play, making her a high-risk, high-reward choice.

Einar the Dwarf offers a unique twist on the gameplay. Think of him like Torbjorn from Overwatch; his abilities and personality are built around gaining and hoarding gold, fitting for a miner. His skill tree focuses on these mechanics, adding an interesting strategic layer to his playstyle with his turret ultimate.

Unfortunately, I haven’t unlocked the Dark Elf yet, so I can’t speak much about their playstyle. 

You can be confident that the gameplay will have endless potential, with future updates and patches shaping the game into becoming the iconic Nuclear Throne successor.

Conclusion

With its relentless action, evolving mechanics, and constant updates, Odinfall is shaping up to be a must-play roguelite. If you’re up for the challenge, the path to Odin awaits. While the design currently can feel rather punishing, particularly in the early stages, which have already seen some improvements. The difficulty spikes and lack of progression continuity can be frustrating. However, as you unlock more abilities and weapons, the game really starts to shine. There are countless boss fights and multiple paths that, while linear, still offer endless possibilities. 

The game could benefit from some additional balancing, but overall, the fact that Ember Paw Games Studio has priced it affordably for a wider audience shows they’re serious about becoming the next big thing. For now, the team has nailed every element it needed to.

A successful run will take you about nine hours to get to, offering another ten with their optional side bosses and modifiers that can make your journey a walk through hell. It’s the game I’m going to be keeping a close eye on for any future major updates, as I can’t wait to see what else the team has in store.