Norse Shield wall was a stationary infantry tactic, not a mobile melee unit.
The Phalanx, like the Hoplites were, was mobile; their tactic was to move the turtle shell almost like a rugby match. They sat at the front and created wedges in the skirmish that allowed the Maniples to run in and start decimating the barbarians with their sestas, gladius, and other weapons.
The Norse Shield Wall was a breach barrier. Different tactics.
Please stop confusing the actual item for the tactics being employed by the item.
As a melee weapon, a spear is two handed. Always has been. Always will be.
Two equally experienced spear practitioners, one with a shield, one without, the one without the shield will win a duel every time. Every time.
This isn't some slight against Larian. Basically every single video game developer in history gets this wrong.
Valheim spears also drive me insane.
You are forgetting the Zulu Impi which basically reinvented the roman way of fighting (post reform, calling it bull horn tactic) with shields and short spears unsuitable for throwing (iklwa). You can of course argue that this isn't a short spear but a long gladius.
Also many medieval tapestries show soldiers with spear and shield.
Despite what Hollywood tries to tell you, Vikings did usually not cower behind a wall to wait for enemies to come to them, but also used aggressive assault tactics. They also used spears a lot both for throwing and close combat (with two different types of spears with different heads).
Spears exist as one or two handed weapons and were used as such. A duel is a very different environment than the battlefield (archers, only one enemy, etc.)
