Blackguards 2

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 Bugs and outdated visuals hinder the progress, though.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.