Ferd — The VR Game
Published by The Viking Planet
Experienced in Oslo, Norway ~ 2024
By Eve Weston
The Experience & How it Works:
You put on a VR headset and become a Viking in Norway sometime between 800 to 1050 CE. You complete a brief training module — which sharpens your skills using a bow and arrow and sword, and then find yourself in your beautiful Viking village. As rival Vikings attack, you fend them off with your trusty bow and arrow and, if they get to close, attack them with your sword.
Why it’s Interesting, IMHO:
I get to be a viking!
Initial Impression & Critical Discussion:
This is a phenomenal game! The setting is beautiful and the archery mechanic provides a welcome alternative to first-person shooter. The process of drawing back ones bow and aiming makes the player feel like they’re using a learned skill and hitting a target is satisfying. While the premise is simple, the game is still remarkably challenging. Even if you manage to kill many attackers, more keep coming. In the later levels, you’re not the only one fending them off, which is pretty cool; you might miss, but one of your shipmates may kill an attacker. (It’s unclear how this affects the scoring). Still, even with help, it’s quite hard to eliminate all the enemies. That being said, the game allows even the novice to have enough success to enjoy playing and want to keep playing. This was a thoroughly enjoyable game.
Experiential Viewpoint Expression (E.V.E.):
Embodied, 1st person visual, 1st person narrative, participant, mortal
Story Anchor:
When your village is attacked by rival Vikings, you alternately shoot your bow and arrow or wield your sword to fight off attackers, and then more attackers continue to show up, wherever you venture to.
Pillars of Game:
Voluntary Participation — check!
Goal — to fend off attackers.
Rules — you may use a bow and arrow or broad sword (as they are presented to you. You must stay within a certain play-area while fighting.
Feedback — attackers die when shot or slashed.
Conclusion: This is a simple, satisfying and challenging game.
Who Should Experience This?
Anyone who enjoys beautiful outdoor scenery and a feeling of agency. Those who enjoy archery, history and a satisfying alternative to first-person shooter games may be particularly pleased.
