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Nidhogg

Nidhogg is the epic award-winning game of fencing tug-of-war complete with flying giant worms.

Developer
Publisher
Release
January 13, 2014
12 years and 283 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive7,953 reviews90.2%
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Game contextLatest: IGF Team
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Updated: Jul 10, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 15, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Updated: Jul 15, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Nidhogg and Messhof funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Nidhogg and Messhof?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 10, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.

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About the Game

Nidhogg is the epic award-winning fencing tug-of-war, full of graceful acrobatics and clumsy stabs. IRL yelling and excitement may occur, in this ultimate two-player showdown of fast-paced fencing and melee attacks.

Beware, advantages in Nidhogg are often fleeting, as new opponents continually spawn in your way. Use a variety of fencing maneuvers while armed -- lunges, parries, and even dirty tricks like throwing your sword. If swordless, press forward with punches, sweep kicks, dive kicks, rolls, and wall jumps.


The combat arena stretches in both directions, although besting an opponent only gains you ground. Matches aren’t won or lost with a single kill, but with a series of kills granting you right-of-way to run/fight/flee to your own goal-zone.

Each arena holds different strategic formations and chokepoints to use to your advantage. Until you reach your goal-zone, anything is possible. Only one thing is certain in Nidhogg… the only way to win is to outwit your opponent. En Garde!

5 Challenging Arenas

Castle, Wilds, Mines, Clouds and Fields… where will your skills excel? Each level has multiple rooms that test your skills as a player, and highlight your strengths as you attempt to exploit your opponents weaknesses.

2 Player Local-Multiplayer

The best mode in Nidhogg! Playing next to someone is the most fun way to enjoy this game, but fair warning, things might get a little crazy!

Tournament Mode

Host the dopest houseparty on your block, with the 3 to 8 person local-multiplayer tournament mode in Nidhogg. Massive amounts of spectator excitement is guaranteed to occur.

Networked Play

Challenge your friends or find the lowest latency match online through matchmaking, now with rollback netcode.

Single Player Arcade Mode

Practice and tune your fighting strategies against an array of AI personalities. Play a speedrun for bragging rights on the leaderboards!

Dynamic Music by Daedelus

Fantastic beats by the infamous electronic music creator, Daedelus. With dynamically altering music created specifically for Nidhogg, the music is unique with each play-through.

Achievements

Unlock challenging achievements that will test your skills across all modes of Nidhogg.

Game Variants

In offline multiplayer or tournament mode, switch up your game play with a new game play mode (or a collection of them!). Toggle on and off Spine Swords, Slow Mode, Trails, Boomerang Swords, Time Limit, No swords, no Throws, Throws only, Divekicks, Baby Mode, Low gravity, Sudden Death Only, Skippy Mode, and Turbo Mode.

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