The controls for Young Thor are very basic; you have a weak attack, strong attack, and a lightning attack. Some people may not see this as a good thing, but I really enjoyed the simplicity.

Overly-complicated controls can really hurt the appeal of a game, potentially taking players several levels just to get the hang of them. With these simple controls, it is up to the player to be creative, finding the best ways to strike at opponents while avoiding damage. Each type of attack has a special move; including an uppercut that knocks opponents into the air and a spinning attack that strikes all nearby enemies. Also, each attack can be charged for increased strength. Use these different abilities wisely, and the Norns will soon be returned to safety.

Young Thor looks and sounds good, especially considering the limited computing power of the PlayStation Portable. There were no voices for the characters. However, the game makes up for it its cel-shaded animated storyboard style that helps convey the story and engage the player. As I played more of the game, I grew fond of the way the game was telling its story. I now believe that voice acting would’ve done more to hamper the experience than to help it. I also enjoyed that there weren’t many cut scenes taking up unnecessary time. While the mythology is deep, the actual story of the game is pretty straightforward. Therefore, there is no real need for a plethora of cutscenes. They show up when needed, at the boss encounters to set the mood for the fight ahead, and I enjoyed that style of storytelling.

Overall, Young Thor is a fun game with a decent amount of replayability. While repeating some of the levels multiple times to attain a high enough level to progress can be tedious, there is a certain satisfaction that comes with being able to smash the faces of those fiends that previously crushed you with ease. The sound and animation are solid and the controls are simple and easy to master. So hop onto the PlayStation Store because with a price tag of $4.99, Young Thor is absolutely worth picking up.

By Greig McAllister
CCC Freelance Writer