From a game whose epic nature feels right at home on the newest hardware to one that looks like it could be programmed into a particularly thick stack of ham, it's a testament to how gameplay trumps graphics in Nidhogg's execution of a 2D fencing fighter. You literally play as a tightly-animated coloured sprite, tasked with taking down your opponent with a variety of moves ranging from lunging kicks, hand-to-hand takedowns and of course a number of different fencing stances. With a selection of three sword 'heights' there's a whole other level to the combat that goes beyond the pick up n' play stab-a-thon you and a friend will have on your first few tries, and alternating between how you're holding your blade can disarm your opponent and lead to an easy kill. The aim of the game besides ventilating the opposition is to then make a mad dash for a goal that exists a few screens away. If your opponent then takes you out, their goal is the opposite direction, so imagine a combination of furious one hit-kill combat mixed with American football-style touchdowns that see you both trying to constantly one-up each other, and you've got one of the most downright fun titles of the year.
