Two years ago,atthe 2011 Game Developer’s Conference, we played the undiluted game.Itwasso simple,so fluid,so delightful.ItwasNidhogg. Two pixelated fencers faceoffin the elementary side-scrolling arena, stabbingwith china swords,where the singular hold equates to genocidebut the resistisas easyas relatingyour opponent’s guard.Ifyou’re feeling daring,youcanrun, jump, slide, chuckyour sword, rivetin fisticuffs,and tryyour most appropriatenottothenget stabbedinthe back.Andyoudofeel daring,becauseofhow hilariouslyand fastthe lightning-fast boutscanend. Unfortunately,as we found outwhen returning homefrom GDC 2011,youcan’tbuyNidhogg.Itwasan exhibition-only title.

Until afterthis year, anyhow.Indie GamesreportsthatNidhoggwill eventually see recoverthis year,with the handfulofnew facilitiesto boot.Itwill comewithnew moves,likethe dive kick,the capabilityto squeeze ledges, roll, crawl,and wall jump. Character animationshavebeen refined, accordingtothe publication,andthe diversionwill supplement both single-playerand online multiplayer modes.Indie Gamesdoesn’tsaywhich platformsNidhoggwill indispensably arriveon,yet,or the costbut writesthatthe developers goaltoputiton Personal Computer aroundthe Steam placement platform.We’llletyou knowwhenwe find out.

Here’s the glanceatwhatthe strangeNidhogglookedlike:


And here’s the lookatit now.