Diablo Meets Norse Mythology in Gaming's Latest Evolution of the Auto-Shooter
Look, we need to get the obvious comparisons out of the way first - and I mean really obvious. Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel wears its influences so proudly that I might as well rip this band-aid off quick: imagine Vampire Survivors and Diablo 4 had a baby, then raised it on a steady diet of God of War and Hades. But here's the thing - even in Early Access, this game is already proving it's more than just a greatest hits compilation.
Loading into my first run, what immediately struck me wasn't just the Diablo-esque visual polish (though watching my abilities tear through undead hordes is legitimately gorgeous). It was how Jotunnslayer fundamentally rethinks what an auto-shooter can be. Beyond your auto-casting abilities, you've got meaningful manual inputs - a satisfying basic attack, a crucial dodge roll, and an ultimate ability that's saved my run more times than I'd like to admit.
This depth extends into the character building, but crucially, without falling into the complexity trap that games like Halls of Torment can sometimes present. Instead of drowning in stat sheets, you're working with divine blessings grouped under different Norse gods, each with clear themes. Building your god-granted arsenal never feels overwhelming. Take my recent Loki run - I started with a simple fire attack, but soon I was cackling as random chaos effects triggered across the screen, enemies burning and debuffing each other in a beautiful cascade of destruction. Then I tried Freya's path, transforming my character into an up-close powerhouse who could wade right into the thick of battle, gaining experience faster the more dangerous it got.
But what really sets Jotunnslayer apart is how it breaks free from the usual auto-shooter survival loop. Instead of just fighting endless waves, each map feels like a proper dungeon run with actual goals to chase. Each map has you working toward summoning and slaying a jotunn (think screen-filling boss fights that'll test everything you've learned). Getting there means tackling a variety of quests that pop up every few minutes, offering meaningful choices between risk and reward. Do you take on the brutal challenge of surviving with reduced movement speed for better loot, or play it safer with a straightforward objective? I've had runs completely transformed by these decisions.
You're rarely just fighting in circles here. There's always some objective pulling you forward - whether it's hunting down a mini-boss, protecting a ritual site, or racing to destroy a totem that's temporarily stripped you of your powers. The game keeps you moving with purpose, making each run feel like its own mini-adventure rather than just another survival attempt.
That said, let's talk Early Access reality check: of the five maps shown in the menu, only two are currently playable. With four classes and four gods currently available, the variety isn't quite where it needs to be for the long-term replayability the game's aiming for.
But this is precisely what Early Access is for, and at £7.64 / $8.99, there's already enough unique content here to justify jumping in early. The developer's projected six-month timeline to full release suggests we'll see regular content drops, and what's already here shows immense promise.
Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel manages that rare feat of both respecting and reinventing its influences. It's not trying to hide what inspired it - instead, it's using those familiar elements as a foundation to build something that feels genuinely fresh. For anyone wondering where the auto-shooter genre might go next, this Norse-flavored evolution makes a pretty compelling argument. Just try not to get too attached to that dodge roll. You'll be using it. A lot.
