Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

“The new setting of the game is nice as well as the additions to the combat. The best addition by far is the ability to dial down the challenge, I love that we are seeing these sliders more and more in “soulslike” games. Whiskers of Winter is a solid sequel, even if it played it safe by not really making drastic changes to the formula from the original.”

“Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is a fantastic follow-up and brings back the gorgeous art style and brutal combat the original was known for. The addition of magic is hit and miss, though I did enjoy how imbued weapons factor into combat. The story, though similar in structure to the original, packs a punch and I found myself entirely invested by the time the end battle commenced. Tails of Iron 2 has a few downfalls, but overall is well worth picking up.”

“Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is everything players could want in a sequel with a grander world, monster hunts, and an overall meatier adventure. Not to mention, the additions of magic and elemental resistance to the combat, resource gathering and focus on having the right gear. Making it approachable for newcomers yet still challenging enough for those that loved the first game.”

“Returning to the gorgeous yet brutal world of Tails of Iron was a blast thanks to some improvements that makes Whiskers of Winter a brilliant sequel that excels in what makes the series standout.”

“Tails of Iron 2 has made it pretty clear to me that Odd Bug Studio understands how to make a sequel: keeping the essence while expanding the possibilities. The roughly 15-hour main campaign is packed with memorable moments, and side activities can extend the experience considerably for those who want to squeeze in all the content.”

“I was more excited than a mouse starting on a cheese-dinner to finally play Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, particularly after I had such a great time with the original game, but this sequel left me underwhelmed. Sure, the same gorgeous world to explore and brutal combat to endure is present and correct, but it is bogged down by poorly implemented and unnecessary new gameplay mechanics hold it back.”

“Tails Of Iron 2 is an accomplished follow-up that builds on the elements that its predecessor brought to the fold. Whether you're familiar with this series or a newcomer to the fray, there's a lot to be impressed by here.”

“What works in Tails of Iron 2 works better than its predecessor. Some of the most inspired Soulslike combat has been taken even further, and the fairytale story surpasses that of Redgi’s. The beautiful setpieces stretching across Ratdom make every single moment feel varied and unique, and the new characters are as endearing as the old. But the additions weaken the formula.”

“Overall, you have a game that doubles down on what fans loved about Tails of Iron while expanding in smart ways. There are some rough edges, but it's ultimately a superior sequel and a fun, challenging adventure.”

“You can expect a sequel that takes things up a notch in many areas, improves and expands game mechanics, and incorporates new ideas - but also has a few errors.”

“A promising set-up and gorgeous art direction aren't enough to mask the shortcomings of Odd Bug Studio's sequel.”

“In a deluge of Soulslikes and 2D Metroidvanias, 2021’s Tails of Iron stood out, thanks to its beautiful art, excellent combat, and engaging premise. All of that’s true for Whiskers of Winter. The sequel is just as visually distinctive and narratively interesting. The game’s combat can be extremely challenging, but this time there are options for dialing back the difficulty, which makes the game slightly more accessible to less hardcore ARPG fans. Tails of Iron 2: Whispers of Winter doesn’t radically reinvent the first game’s art or approach but definitely improves and deepens it. Anyone feeling fatigued with copycat pixel art Soulslikes should give Whiskers of Winter a try.”

“If you enjoyed the original, then Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winters offers up more of the same brutal combat and stunning visuals, introducing minor yet welcome new additions like the whetstone and the grappling hook. Its basic environment layout can lead to a lot of excessive backtracking, which is a shame, but the world itself is so well-realised that we find ourselves compelled to recommend you check it out regardless. Just be warned; it's not for the faint of heart.”

“Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter builds on the original and makes it better in every way, with excellent combat and a strong story.”

“Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is a great sequel that is bigger and more punishing in the best way. The addition of elemental spells and a monster-hunting gameplay loop make the overall experience a huge improvement over its predecessor.”

“Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is an excellent follow-up to the first game, and a great game in its own right. The addition of elemental spells and overall rebalancing of a few features feels like an intuitive expansion of the original, and the new locations and characters introduced in this sequel were great additions, buoyed by Doug Cockle's iconic narration. That said, it still doesn't feel quite as good as it could be, with its preponderance of annoying flying bosses and Arlo's disappointingly limited moveset. That said, Odd Bug Studio has a good thing going so far with the Tails of Iron series, and I look forward to what they have planned for the future.”