Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage — the first game from Rovio’s publishing initiative, Rovio Stars — is now out for iOS! The launch of Icebreaker’s, which is based of the popular Flash game, has been highly anticipated since late last year.
The gameplay is pretty simple. Your goal is to get all of the trapped and stranded Vikings back into their boat. To do so, you must cut through chunks of ice and let physics take over. Perhaps the most important part of the gameplay is the mini cutscenes (not really “important”, but pretty hilarious!)
General Info
- The initial release features 95 action-packed levels in three different lands! Most levels are clear and chronological. Occasionally you have a choice in which path to take. And sometimes….
- You can chose a side quest! These are usually three or four levels long and end in a fantastically humorous finale. Worth the time, I believe.
- Special god powers to speed through tricky levels! These are in-app purchases, but note that, like in Angry Birds, all objectives can be completed without these powers. So purchasing them is completely optional.
- Hidden secrets! We can’t say any more, otherwise they would be neither hidden nor secrets.
- Epic final bosses, including the gigantic Mountain Troll and his legendary indigestion!
Objectives
In any given level, there are multiple objectives:
- Primary Objective: You absolutely must rescue all the stranded Vikings. If any Vikings die in the water or are killed by some other means, you fail the level and must try again. Completing this objective is sufficient to pass the level and move onward.
- Coin Objective: There are either coins and/or treasure chests scattered throughout the level. Coins are collected by touching them with a Viking, while the chest must make its way into a boat. A chest contains 3 coins, and the coin objective would be to collect all coins in a single try while also completing the primary objective above. You can see the number of coins you’ve obtained and the number possible on the Level Selection screen.
- Par Objective: The “Par” objective is added a little later in the storyline, but applies retroactive to all levels. Once available, Cutting Master will determine an adequate number of “cuts”, and your goal is to complete the primary objective is at most “par” cuts. In most levels, simply ignoring the treasure chest is the biggest key to earning par. You can see if you’ve made par by noting the red flag on the Level Selection screen.
- Goat Objective: In Trollmarsh, you are introduced to a shepherd whose goats are suck on or in the ice with the Vikings. (How on earth did this happen?! Silly goats.) If a goat falls into the Viking boat, the hammer-wielding Viking gets scared and whacks the goat. If a Viking falls into the shepherd’s boat, the shepherd whacks him! So, yeah, get them into the right boat. Unfortunately, I don’t see any indicator on the Level Selection screen for this objective.
- Additional Side Objectives: These are similar to the “goat” objective, but vary by context. They are occasionally necessary to move on to the next level or open a side quest.
Our Coverage
We have decided to cover Icebreaker right here on AngryBirdsNest.com. We seriously considered covering it on RocketPond.com; however, Rovio Stars games are part of the Rovio ecosystem, so it makes sense to cover them right here. Icebreakers is a fun game and challenging enough to deserve walkthroughs.
Suggestions, Bugs, and Miscellany
- One initial observation is that the camera does not pan with action. In some levels, it would be very convenient if this were to happen, but there are a few levels where timing of slices are very key, and therefore panning may be counter-productive. Maybe panning unless you are holding a cut?
- Speech bubbles galore! The game is known for its humorous cutscenes, but they are pretty lengthy to tap through.
- Late introductions to God Powers. I mean, Gravity isn’t introduced until Level 3 of Under Dwell…. That’s far far too late. At this point, the IAP is nearly useless since you’ve competed over half the game already.
Gallery
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- Level Select
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- Episode Selection
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- Home Screen
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- Level 1
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- The Shoppe
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- Troll Marsh!
Cant find it on google play :(
Hey @josm, yeah, it’s currently only available on iOS. Per Nitrome:
While these games are being published by Rovio, the developers behind them are typically smaller studios, so they don’t quite have the same resources as someone like Rovio does. It is a quality game though, so I expect it will do quite well.
There are more Android users than iOS. Hopefully, they will release it for Android in future :D
Thanks for the answer, but what is Nitrome? @Birdleader
Nitrome is the maker of Icebreaker.
huh, and what have rovio to do with it?
@josm Have you read the article? Rovio is the publisher.
For those who don’t know, it is quite typical in the gaming world for there to be a developer AND a publisher. The developers build the game, the publishers help expose the game. Rovio is a developer and publisher, but in the case of Icebreakers, they are acting as a publisher (i.e. helping Nitrome market and expose their game to a larger audience than they could likely do on their own).
Now that bit of knowledge was educational, did not know that previously. What a great method for Rovio to increase revenue and assist another game developer to hit a mass market of players. Win/Win for both.
It´s not available on google play, only on iOS :(
Is it out on Android? Looks like a great game:D
Not just yet. See the comment above with the note from Nitrome.
Anyone use the Powerups yet. There isn’t really a good explanation on what they are used for so I don’t want to buy any yet.
You are introduced to them in-game and given a demonstration.
The game looks very good.I have played the other 2 games (for the people who don’t know there are 2 other Icebreaker games that Nitrome published a long time ago)and I am very exited for this one.Hope it lands on android soon.
So excited! I bought it this morning and await your walkthroughs!!! I am slowly stumbling through the levels… **sigh**
Glad to hear ABN will cover this and have walkthroughs. Bought it first thing this morning, but haven’t had time to play it yet. See you all later (much later : ) ).
I played with it on my phone this morning–a little juvenile but I can see it can become challenging pretty quickly as there is some strategy involved. However, I’ve been attempting to purchase the HD version and it won’t install. I don’t know if this is a Rovio glitch, an App Store glitch or an iPad glitch
A tip for those who don’t play many computer games (like me). When you cut a swinging rope, the rope has to be within the start and stop points at the time you complete the cut, which means you have to lift your finger from the stop point before the rope passes either end. It’s easier for me if I start the cut in front of the rope (quite a ways, and cut against the direction of the swing.
I can’t wait for it on Android….
Surprising: Contrary to popular belief, only ceremonial viking helmets had horns.
I’ve played the original on Nitrome. It’s great. Can’t wait for it to come out on Android.
This is not an online game, is it?
@kai92 — Not online, but right now only available for IOS, it seems. There are tons of levels. Try it if you can.
@kai92 – you can play it here: http://www.nitrome.com/
Hi @admins — I know I define impatient. I’ve been watching some of the walkthtoughs on YouTube. I’m at the Power Gate in Under Dwell, but don’t know how to activate the generator. A quick hint maybe? @Birdleader?
@mvnla2 That vid just went up a few moments ago on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0heR4Qaaxo
Am I missing something? I can’t see any levels on hammerfest beyond the cutting master.
Keep playing. They unlock after a few levels of Troll Marsh are completed. Cutting Master returns and “rewards” you with more levels in Hammerfest.
There is a fast-forward button in the lower right corner that allows you to skip the speech bubbles.
Has anyone found a hidden secret? Any clues about what we’re looking for?
To answer my own question: Yes, there are hidden secrets that you get clues to at the end of the game. If you get all of them, It opens a few more levels.
There also seem to be some puzzle pieces you can collect along the way, the first of which opens a new side set of levels.
No idea if I have been through them all. I don’t think there is any way to tell how many puzzle pieces you have found.
games seems good but when u play it..then it seems more better
Thanks gor covering all issues on new game. Unfortunatelly it doesn’t have appeal to me. I tried playing and simply came up to conclusion it isn’t for me. I am not sure if I am going to finish it and keep it on my device.
When will the Walkthroughs be up? I’m having trouble with the “Chicken Coop” level on Troll Marsh.
Walkthroughs for all levels are available on our YouTube page for now.
Hummm… Could swear I posted here a while ago. Came back because I think I didn;t spell @Sal9‘s name correctly.
Anyway, I was complaining about UnderDwell Ready the Cannons. I finally managed to pass it using YouTube videos (this one by Sal).
My complaint was that the cannons don’t always fire when tapped. So here’s another tip for the computer-game challenged. Cannons are much more reliable if you point them and release the arrow, even if the cannon has a fixed direction. This was critical for me in Ready the Cannons, and also necessary in the fortress, where one cannon has a tendency to backfire and take out the bomb that is still hanging!
Cannons fire when sliced, not tapped.
Must mean the game thinks most of my taps are slices. : )
One other thing: It is possible to do better than par on some levels.
Yes it is. Can’t remember the name but I did one level in 1 slice when par was 3 or maybe even 4. I’ll check for it again and see what level it was. I was surprised when it happened so it may have been a fluke.
Just viewed the ABN video and read the description with comments. The game looks like “boat-loads” of fun with strategy, thought and skill. A bit of different game concepts from AB and it should provide a great addition to obtaining 3-stars and MEs. Going to have to down load it and give it a shot.
In the ABN description above this was stated:
“We have decided to cover Icebreaker right here on AngryBirdsNest.com. We seriously considered covering it on RocketPond.com…”
1. What is the difference of ABN dot com and RocketPond dot com?
2. I guess what I am asking is what is RocketPond? I see it at the bottom of this page also.
3. Also what is “2012 Kuiver – All Rights Reserved” listed at the bottom?
How is it possible that you have 13 levels in Hammerfest while I have only 5? Are they unlocked later in game?
Yesterday i said I didn’t like game that much and I was dissapointed. Actually gameplay is smart and only thing I don’t like is graphics (pixel art, hate it!) and music theme which is so boring with repeating over and over.
They are unlocked later in the game. Eventually, in Troll Marsh, You will come to a level with the Cutting Master as the viking you have to save. Beat the level, and you will unlock more levels in Hammerest.
@xano2323 thanks for info.
I read some of game review and one mentioned that there are levels that can’t be passed without power-ups. Is that true? Are purchased power-ups essentials to go through game?
You don’t need power-ups to pass any level. There are a few side “objectives” to unlock secret levels and tolls (Viking Money) to open bonus levels.
@sal9 thank you for answer. I have one more question, if I pay for unlocking those levels in vicking coins can I play “normal” levels again to collect some more coins and if I fail level do I have to pay again in order to play?
No, it’s a one time “fee”. Once collected, you can’t re-collect those coins. They’re like AB Stars.
I’m sure you know that the walkthroughs are up: Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage Complete Walkthroughs
@Sal9 @AMSlimfordy — I don’t see walkthrough on how to get par on Icebreaker???
Hey Sal — Your new avatar is pretty awesome (as in frightening).
Most videos are 2-parts: One for par, one for coins.
Note: Sometimes we only show (say) par if we feel that getting coins from that strategy is pretty obvious.
@Amslimfordy — But you don’t seem to show walkthroughs for par on every level. Since I’m now trying to get 80 pars, could really use some help.
If we don’t do it every time, it should be clear from the “coin” strategy then. Usually “follow the video ignoring the treasure chest”.
@cosmo2503 Just to weigh a little beyond what @sal9 said. I achieved absolutely everything in the game without “god powers” — except for 1 level not-parred and 1 coin not obtained. I believe both of these are “bugs”, not by design.
I haven’t passed the “treasure hunt” gatekeeper on Under Dwell, so if the problem coin is on one of those levels I can’t comment. The coin I thought might be impossible was on the Under Dwell Troo Nest level (15), but twenty or thirty tries later it was mine. :-)
Troll Nest is precisely the coin I’m missing. What was the strategy used? I’ve tried over 100 times and always fall to my death.
I shot the cannon just before the nest reached its rightmost point, and… The vikin fell, fell, fell, fell and fell again, until he finally landed in the lower nest when falling.
Leftmost…. (Stage right).
For which level are you still trying to achieve par?
“Dig It”. I forget the number, but it’s a couple after Troll Nest in Under Dwell.
I should have guessed. ;-) Spoilers ahead.
As you know, there are three obstacles that need to be cleared in order for the viking to be able to drop straight down into the boat. The first obstacle is a protrusion of “rock”, beneath that the second obstacle is a “wooden board”, and at the bottom is the third obstacle (again “rock”).
(1) Cut the left and lower-center bombs at the same time (I’m not sure that it matters whether you drop the leftmost or rightmost bomb – the timing is in no small part a matter of luck).
(2) Next, be prepared to cut at a sharp angle, so you can blow up the first bomb to remove the first obstacle while also causing the top-center bomb to drop. I set the first bomb off very close to the tip of the “rock” protrusion.
You now have the first obstacle cleared and two bombs rolling down.
(3) If you are lucky, the timing will be such that you can vertically slice both bombs when they are over the lower two obstacles.
(4) You then have a straight shot down and can drop your viking into the boat.
@Aaron — Thanks! Used your strat to finally get that coin, and I also managed to complete the level in 1 cut!
@amslimfordy, @sal9 thank you both for clarification that I needed.
It’s a nice game but its the ” v.2.0 ” of an old game of 2011 about for iOS 3.1 called Viking slice. Same gameplay….
Here a YouTube link..www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdHYJiEEx2w
Actually, the first Ice Breaker (browser one)comes from the year 2009.
OK, I think I’ve passed all the levels (without PUs), except for the last two par levels in Hammerfest that require 80 pars. Ugh! I’m at 75 pars presently (you need 80 out of 89 possible to unlock the last 2 par levels!!!); however, I’m probably at least 5 under-par in total. Sure would be nice if they would give you credit for being under par.
BTW, I think you can get a “hole-in-one” on Troll Nest, since I got a 3 trying 3 times to get that stupid coin.
There is some nice gameplay in this. I hope that it does well enough so they can redo the graphics, it would be nice if the designers at Rovio could give the developers some major ‘artwork’ guidance.
Actually, Nitrome uses this style for years and all fans love it (and so do I). I don’t think they are going to change it.
There are plenty of ways to give the look of the game a major upgrade without sacrificing the ‘feel’.
looking at the comments and enthusiasm among ppl here, i see that this game is a hit!! even amazing alex and croods couldnt gather such attention and response.. Waiting for android version to release!!!
Whew! I think I’ve finally passed all the levels, although I only have 83 pars and am still missing lots of coins. However, I’ve got 124 coins. Are they good for anything other than keeping score (after you pay off the toll gates, of course)?
After 5 games in hammerfest comes a trophy and there are no more levels after that. How do I get past that and to par system? I’ve tried everything with no results. Pleeeeaaase, help
They unlock after you pass a few levels of Troll Marsh.
Listed below are the levels on which I have gotten under par. Unfortunately, I did most of them before the walkthroughs were posted, so I don’t remember how in most cases Score obtained was one under par unless otherwise noted.
Hammerfest
Between the Lines
Big Finish
Troll Marsh
Afterparty
Skywire
Under Dwell
A Close Shave
Magic Touch
Hot Air Joyride
Love Triangle (2 below par = 8; par = 10)
Getting Stuck
Troll Nest (1 below par = 3; par = 4, think 1 cut possible; follow Aaron’s strat above for last coin)
Actually managed 1 cut on Troll Nest while trying for the coin!