The unique Tails of Iron was quietly an enormous success for developer Odd Bug Studio. The motion RPG a few kingdom of rats has drawn in plenty of followers due to its sketch-like artwork fashion, deliberate fight, and explorable world. We suppose the very fact it is narrated by Doug Cockle — voice of Geralt in The Witcher sequence — might have one thing to do with it too, however regardless of the case, the workforce is not resting on its laurels for Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter. After watching the sequel in motion in a hands-off preview, it is clear there’s a lot right here to cease it from rising stail — sorry, stale.
Although it is a numbered sequel, Tails of Iron 2 follows a complete new story with recent characters. Set after the occasions of the primary sport, you play as Arlo, a rat of the frosty northern area who’s on a quest for revenge. His dwelling, Winter’s Edge, has been ravaged by the forgotten Darkish Wing bats, who’ve all of a sudden emerged and are wreaking havoc on the land. Recreation of Thrones has been a big affect on the sport, informing the icy setting and Day Walker-like enemies.
One other clear inspiration is Monster Hunter; one of many main new additions to the sequel is, nicely, monster searching. As you discover the sport’s massive map, you may encounter massive, nasty beasts to conquer. Doing so won’t solely reward you with worthwhile assets, however it’ll additionally alter the enemy sorts you come up in opposition to. These creatures will roam round, might escape, and can sleep to get better, so aren’t as simple as typical boss fights.
Searching these beasts is a part of the sequel’s extra significant aspect missions, although a brand new day/night time cycle means you could possibly come up in opposition to them whether or not you select to or not. One other new characteristic, the time of day will have an effect on which enemies you see and, as talked about, you may uncover new foes as you slay extra monsters.
Different nods to Capcom’s sequence embody the flexibility to interrupt elements off of bosses to forestall sure assaults, and a weapon sharpness mechanic that provides some pressure to fights. This is not the one approach fight has been overhauled; the sequel provides invincibility frames to the dodge, colour-coded assault warnings (dodge pink, parry yellow, block white), and elemental harm. Whereas fight might be essentially just like the primary sport, Odd Bug has imbued it with numerous new mechanics to grasp.
The enhancements do not cease there, both. Traversal has been given numerous boosts to make getting round a lot quicker in Tails of Iron 2. Arlo is ready to use grapple factors to get round every biome extra rapidly, and he can even dash whereas exploring, which means backtracking will not trigger as many complications. What’s extra, you may additionally have the ability to quick journey across the map, which can assist when looking for the sequel’s elevated variety of secrets and techniques and hidden areas.
Total, Tails of Iron 2 simply appears much more fleshed out. In addition to bumper new options like monster searching, we have but to say that Winter’s Edge turns into a customisable hub as Arlo rebuilds his dwelling, unlocking higher gear from all its distributors. Easy talent bushes have additionally been added on your weapons and armour, and you can too lay down elemental traps to catch foes off-guard. It is a sequel filled with recent concepts, then, and it is all delivered with that acquainted, hand-drawn fashion and, after all, Doug Cockle’s dulcet tones as you play via the story.
It is arriving on PS5, PS4, and principally all the things else later this yr. Are you excited for Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter? Inform us within the feedback part under.
