Nidhogg, the weird, spectacular fencing game from Mark “Messhof” Essen, is finally ours. After years being exhibited–and refined–at game tournaments and other public events, the dueling simulator is now available from Steam for $12.
Marked by its lurid but exquisitely-animated art style, Nidhogg pits two fencers in a frenetic, swashbuckling duel. The victor wins the right to be eaten alive by the titular Norse worm-god. Local and online multiplayer modes are included, as is the soundtrack, by Daedalus.
At Venus Patrol, Brandon Boyer talks to Messhof about the game’s unusual gestation.