Blackguards 2

If you're interested in experiencing a story that isn't just the standard fantasy lore, then Blackguards 2 is worth a try.

Blackguards 2 is an immensely satisfying turn based strategy game that brings an enticing story and high-quality balanced combat to the table.

A good sequel that manages to correct some of the issues of the first Blackguards. Despite some technical issues, Blackguards 2 is a must-have for fans of turn-based strategy games.

Not all RPG’s should be about dialog and inter-party romances, and Blackguards 2 proves that well. Nice set of varied combat scenarios, with a great battle system, fine by me. [Feb 2015]

Blackguards 2 builds on the success of its predecessor in an interesting way. Some simplifications have been made, but the game now offers a more open-ended campaign and an intriguingly deep combat system. The game's graphics and voiceovers could have been improved upon but as as a whole Blackguards 2 is a solid and entertaining sequel.

More freedom and lots of little improvements make this sequel a lot better - and all that for a fair price.

The metagame feels comfortingly familiar to those who have played titles such as Final Fantasy Tactics.

Blackguards 2 had a rocky launch, but the 2.0 patch release fixes virtually all the technical and balancing issues that I encountered with it. I found its story to be a little pedestrian, but really enjoyed the gameplay and customizability of the characters.

Blackguards 2 is the true heir of the first chapter, and there's enough to keep the fans busy for many strategic gameplay hours.

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.

Blackguards 2 is an improved and expanded version of the tactical fantasy cRPG from a year ago. After introducing many modifications, the battles are more dynamic but still challenging, and the player's frustration level is minimal. Repeating maps encourages trying out new tactics, and a really cool storyline is an additional motivation for playing.

Blackguards 2 may start off as a something of a bad-guy gimmick, but it soon transcends the wow factor inspired by the dark gothic setting and the baleful protagonists. Come for the evil, stay for the brilliantly realized and addictive tactical game loaded with depth and challenge.

If you can overlook the dated graphics and some bugs, in Blackguards 2 you'll find a great tactical RPG, true to the spirit of "The Dark Eye' franchise.

The more focused campaign, and a protagonist that is much more than a cardboard cut out have elevated the sequel considerably.

With a stronger protagonist and better combat and RPG systems, Blackguards 2 is a more engaging, more incisive game than the original.

Blackguards 2 is a way more well-rounded and ambitious game than its predecessor was.

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.

A very good tactical RPG, in many ways bizarrely closer to the Japanese school than to the western one.

Blackguards 2 brings back everything we loved from the first game of the series and from The Dark Eye board game, improving on some key areas that makes this entry stronger. The lack of any multiplayer option and being only in English are its biggest flaws.

It lacks something that makes it unique or surprising, but apart from this, it's a solid, engaging experience fans of RPGs are going to enjoy.

Daedalic effectively removed the elements that made last year's release annoying at all the wrong moments, and left its players with the best parts of the experience. It's still a methodical, almost plodding tactical roleplaying game, but now it's easier to find the fun and to enjoy its world and characters.

You’re not going to get blown away, but you’ll certainly be left with some fond memories and a solid experience.

An intriguing protagonist and art style can't save you from long battles and artificial content.

An entertaining RPG with some strategic elements in it. Fans of both genres won't be disappointed with its funny classic gameplay.

Blackguards 2 is a good sequel. Less confused than Blackguards, the game has a more dynamic gameplay, richer management elements and less frustrating fights, but also a weak difficulty calibration and slow paced combats.

Despite a broken narrative and some flaws in gameplay mechanics, the refreshed formula of Blackguards 2 is a clear improvement over the original game.

A consequent sequel with a lot of enhancements on the predecessor as well as interesting new ideas and a mercenary system. Bugs and outdated visuals hinder the progress, though.

If the first Blackguards was practically rail RPG with a well-developed tactical battles, then the offspring suddenly revealed some features of Jagged Alliance. After capturing the town in the lower right corner of the map the following Cassia’s trip to the capital can be laid as one please: horizontally, vertically, diagonally or as cunning sinusoid. [Issue #195, p.75]

A lot has changed since Blackguards, much of it for the better. It’s the things that stayed the same that keep this tough as nails tactical RPG from achieving greatness.

The non-linear progression is a welcome change.

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.

It’s a decent change of pace and allows you to wreak vengeance on maps whose obstacles left you seething with rage. Blackguards 2 has a lot to keep turn-based strategy enthusiasts occupied, though it fails to outshine the more complex games in the genre.

For someone under time constraints and with little patience for having to repeat a long, slow, tough, scenario multiple times, I have to confess that although I wanted to like it, Blackguards 2 hasn't been one of my top gaming experiences.

This sequel brings just the expected innovations. This game itself is a good strategy RPG, which keeps the original game difficulty and adds a catchy storyline to the great turn-based battles.

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.

Blackguards 2 is a good tactical RPG with a great setting and extensive customization options. In spite of that the game presents a typical story and repetitive strategic combat.

Blackguards 2 is in many ways a game that compares more closely to XCOM than other RPGs.

Blackguards 2 is an interesting continuation but doesn't demonstrate sufficient progress to be considered a proper sequel. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate as an expansion of the first game. Anyway, Daedalic Entertainment's work maintains its strengths in terms of combat and atmosphere although it has been somewhat far from solving the obvious defects in the linearity of the plot. Anyone who enjoyed the first game will enjoy this new title. If you wander Aventuria for the first time, Blackguards should be a better starting point.

The actual gameplay, consisting mostly of combat strung together by an overland map, is unfortunately rather less exciting. [Apr 2015, p.79]

After twelve months the strategic-RPG from Daedalic comes back, but once again gameplay doesn’t hit the mark.

Blackguards 2 is not a perfect game and, unfortunately, not the reinvention of its predecessor it could have been. However, the game does ultimately reward a little (well, a lot of) patience, developing into a relatively enjoyable campaign once the player has progressed past the early stages.

The game lacks some decent content between fights. [03/2014, p.66]

Blackguards 2 scratches the tactical RPG itch just fine, though the battles do become tedious near the end. It certainly doesn't welcome new players with open arms, but veterans will view its opacity as a minor issue to work around.

Overall I enjoyed the core battle system and upgrading of characters in BlackGuards 2, however the story was really mediocre and the characters just seemed pretty lifeless.

Daedalic has managed to make an already interesting game a bit better. Sadly, Blackguards 2 still has a long way to go. Mostly because of a monotonous feeling and a poorly written story. However, the battle system is really good.

Blackguards 2 is shorter than its predecessor, lacking in innovations and story elements. Tactical combat can be appealing and the graphics didn't age too much but it's noticeable that the game required more attention from the developers.