SEGA has just sent word that it will be releasing Creative Assembly's new game, Viking: Battle for Asgard, for Xbox 360 and PS3 early in 2008.

Apparently Vikings are "the new pirates" - or that's what one particularly eager young SEGA rep we spoke to earlier said.

Well, we’re not sure about that. SPOnG likes pirates (the beardy kind, not the games industry killing kind!) but we’ll let you makes your own minds up (jimlads) by checking out the very first screens from Viking: Battle for Asgard right here.

The Norse mythology-themed hack and slash game is based on the story of a fierce struggle within the realm of the Norse Gods, with SEGA’s press release informing us:


Viking: Battle for Asgard encourages players to leave a bloody trail of dismembered foes while exploring “vast and visually stunning open-world environments whilst slaying your enemies with a huge array of devastating and brutal combat moves.”

Here are some more of our favourite phrases from SEGA’s press announcement: "tame (yet also mighty!) dragons", "enslaved warriors", "epic battles", "colossal giants", "powerful shaman", "deadly assassins" and "Hel’s own champions".

Though the overall winner from the release has to be the winning phrase, “a visceral wave of slaughter”.

“Skarin is a cutting edge hero in a fantastic re-imagining of Norse Mythology. Skarin is obviously a very dangerous man.” said Gary Knight, European marketing director SEGA Europe. “Add in his inner conflict, a confused heritage and a growing distrust of the Gods and you have the makings of gaming’s next great hero.”