Vikings Row! raids the App Store in search of gold and glory

When you think of Vikings, you think of berserker rages, axe-wielding pagans with big beards chasing monks into the sea, feasting on comely serving wenches, and gallons of meads. At least, that's the Viking life for me.

The mechanics of rowing one of those mean looking norse longboats seems - well - a little mechanical and work-like.

That's the deal with I-play's latest iPhone release though.

Vikings Row! is a topdown game that has you manoeuvring your longboat through various twisty rivers, collecting gold coins and avoiding obstacles such as spikes and skulls that will kill some of your crew should you collide with them.

Each of the six themed locations - Midgard, the Maelstrom underworld, the inside of Hron the whale, the icy world of Niflheim, the lava rivers of Hel and finally the warrior playgrounds of Valhalla - contains eight levels.

You have to complete each in a certain time and collecting a certain number of coins to unlock the next. You'll be rewarded with bronze, silver and gold depending on how much gold you collect along the way.

It sounds fairly straightforward, but the control method, which has you using two digits either side of the boat to row it, takes some getting used to.

Indeed, the game requires a careful touch as you can spin your boat around, go backwards and follow complex courses depending on where and how you use your fingers. Still when you get the hang of it, it's fairly solid and enjoyable.

Adding to the experience are various sail customisation options for your boat, and an achievement system, which seems to be an I-play special (i.e. doesn't use Game Center or OpenFeint etc).

Together with neat presentation, it all adds up to a nice little package.

Vikings Row! is available now, priced 99c, €0.79 or 59p. You can see how it plays in the following video.

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