Blackguards 2 Reviews
Blackguards 2 is an immersive and enjoyable game, which allows a player to adjust all aspects of the game to suit their own playstyle, while constantly keeping them on their toes, as the tiniest slip-up can result in failure. Very entertaining, even for those who aren't fans of turn-based strategy.
Blackguards 2 takes the formula of the initial release and expands upon it, but there's nothing truly innovative, apart from the origin story of Cassia and her frequent moments of near madness.
Blackguard 2 manages to exist as a game that feels like a classic strategy role playing game, and as so much more at the same time. A deep story with great characters, varied quests, deep customization, and great battles make for a must have game.
Blackguards 2 removes much of the chaff from the original game, but you'll still need some patience.
Released just a year following the first title, Blackguards 2 wields exactly what you might expect from an abridged development time. The display is largely the same, yet packed with much more detail. The gameplay mechanics are similar, though with a few adjustments based on critical feedback including a much appreciated non-linear approach to story progression. And yet it also carries with it bugs and design flaws that could have been addressed with more vigorous quality assurance testing before delivery of the final product. As a diehard fan of pen-and-paper RPGs brought to life through video games, I would love to see the series continue, but Daedalic really needs to shake up the formula before their next attempt.
When you consider buying Blackguards 2, there are three questions you need to ask yourself. Do you enjoy tactics RPGs? Do you like an interesting high-fantasy story? Do you have hours and hours to sink into a new game? If you answered yes to any of these, then I'd definitely recommend checking out not only Blackguards 2 but its predecessor as well. Daedalic has done a great job at actually listening to the community to help improve their product, and I'm really happy to see what they've done. You're not going to get blown away, but you'll certainly be left with some fond memories and a solid experience.
Although the turf-war element is fun to experience, the role-playing features of the game are completely uninspiring and feel like replicas of previous RPGs. No, I don’t think the game is a failure, as it is a decent follow up to the first Blackguards.
With a stronger protagonist and better combat and RPG systems, Blackguards 2 is a more engaging, more incisive game than the original.
Blackguards 2 has surprised me. Though I enjoyed the tactical combat in its predecessor, I wasn't left hungry for a second outing. But the more focused campaign, and a protagonist that is much more than a cardboard cut out have elevated the sequel considerably. Some slightly awkward writing and odd moments of jarring silliness weaken the grim premise, but not enough to topple it. And the immensely satisfying fights are more than worth putting up with some cracks.
Ultimately, Blackguards 2 is very good and enjoyable, but gets weighed down by some stupid limitations and flaws, such as its often unfair difficulty and still-present bugs. It boasts a great strategy aspect and a decent story, but falters elsewhere. Enjoyable, but frustrating at times, and not enough spiders to eat those bugs!
Sinister protagonists and smart tactical combat make Blackguards 2 a compelling exercise in evil.
Blackguards 2 delivers more brutal hex-based strategy and environmental puzzling while refining the original formula in several smart ways. The more open yet focused campaign, propped up by a fantastic central character who's as evil as you want her to be, makes for a satisfying if punishing experience.
Coming so soon after the first entry Blackguards 2 is a surprisingly packed improvement over the original, giving you the chance to dominate and rule over South Aventuria with all the bitterness and rage such a task would need. It won't suit all newcomers to PC TRPGs and yes, battles can be brutal and unforgiving at times, but for those with even the slightest bent towards getting knee deep in stats and tactical battles then Blackguards 2 is a worthy purchase.
I have sort of enjoyed my time with Blackguards 2, although writing a review where all you really want to do is scream "IT'S THE SAME AS BLACKGUARDS!" has been a challenge. It really is a testament to the fine voice actors and tightly crafted combat above everything else, that even after two extremely similar games I'm still not staggeringly bored of it all. Slightly bored, perhaps, but not staggeringly.
Did you like the previous Blackguards? Did you want it simpler and more efficient? Do you like map control games? If you answered yes to all of these, I think I just found you a new PC game.
The opening of Blackguards 2 is deep with implication, unpleasant, entirely unfun, and a perfect metaphor for what you're in for with the rest of this game.
A sometimes frustrating, always enthralling strategy RPG that has its rough spots. The time necessary to get to grips with it is well spent despite this as it rewards you in so very many ways.
This still feels like an Alpha or a Beta version that needs to be fleshed out a bit more before it's release. The problem is, it has been released.
One of the delights of settling down to a turn-based tactical RPG is poking around to understand how its systems combine and then utilising those systems in imaginative and tactically satisfying ways. In this regard, Blackguards 2 delivers. Eventually. The writing and presentation are serviceable rather than spectacular but there's a decent level of scope for customisation and engaging combat if you can push past its trudging opening hours. Cassia and co's deep-seated issues and baggage make them an entertaining bunch and while they won't set your world alight, they eventually prove capable of providing many hours of surprisingly amiable companionship.
In spite of these small gripes, Blackguards 2 is a much more complete and better-playing game than its predecessor and will no doubt please all of those who loved the first. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you are a hardcore fan like me), the game has not been streamlined enough to attract casual CRPG fans and will still be far too complex and challenging for those not accustomed to the difficulty of a dyed-in-the-wool European game like Blackguards.