Viking Chess: Hnefatafl (2020)

Developer: Diamond Sky Games
Publisher: Rain Games
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Genres: Indie, Strategy
Rating: 4.5 of 5, 66 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 1.3 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

Playing feels like a calm, cerebral duel across a minimalist wooden board, inviting patient tactical thinking.

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What players say

Players praise it as a faithful digital Hnefatafl adaptation, but they note the AI is much stronger when attacking than defending, making one side nearly unwinnable. A few rule differences from official Copenhagen rules and no online activity for multiplayer are common complaints.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.