Hammer of the Gods (video game)

Holistic Design
Industry	Video game development
Headquarters	United States
Products	Hammer of the Gods

Hammer of the Gods is a turn-based strategy title released in 1994, developed by Holistic Design and distributed by New World Computing for the DOS platform. The game is set against a Norse fantasy backdrop during the Viking Age in Europe, and it served as an inspiration for the later Heroes of Might and Magic series.

Gameplay

In Hammer of the Gods, players engage in empire expansion with a strong focus on military tactics. The objective involves growing one's domain while accomplishing tasks assigned by various Norse deities. Ultimate success is attained by completing Odin’s mission, the supreme god within the game's pantheon. Gamers can pick from four distinct races—humans, elf, troll, or dwarf—each offering unique troop types and divine hierarchies that influence specific objectives. Achieving these objectives grants benefits such as elite units, enchanted flying vessels, or enhanced revenue from captured settlements.

Players have the option to play on either a historical map depicting Europe around 700 AD or on a procedurally generated map unique to each campaign. Each player starts with control over a single town and must explore to acquire additional towns, securing resources and strengthening defenses.

Diplomacy complements warfare, with relationships categorized as peaceful, neutral, or hostile. Trade can be conducted between empires that are either peaceful or neutral toward each other.

Combat initiates when opposing forces meet on the strategic map, shifting to a tactical battlefield where units take turns maneuvering with the goal of defeating or forcing the enemy to withdraw. Most combat units need to be adjacent to their targets to attack, but ranged units like archers and wizards can engage from afar. Defensive structures in towns and castles influence battle outcomes.

Although military conquest is central to gameplay, players must also fulfill divine missions presented within a pantheon tree of Norse gods. Higher-tier gods assign more demanding challenges, which range from simple tasks such as slaying dragons near Stonehenge ruins to elaborate campaigns spanning multiple turns.

Reception

In 1995, Dragon issue #221 featured a review in its "Eye of the Monitor" column, where reviewer Jay rated the game 4 out of 5 stars, while Dee gave it 3 stars.

Reviews

Coming Soon Magazine (March 1995)
Joystick (French) (January 1995)
PC Gamer (March 1995)
PC Player (Germany) (January 1995)
PC Format (December 1995)
PC Games (Germany) (February 1995)
Power Play (February 1995)

External links