Legend of Grimrock 2

They somehow managed to make a brilliant game even more so. Every area of the game has been expanded and polished. Great atmosphere, lovely music (just like in the original), monster behavior has been reworked so now they are more tricky to fight, huge play area compared to LoG1, more spells and weapons, more replayabilty, more secrets ad treasures, and so much more. Most importantly however, it still is a dungeon crawl. Like the original, its very focused, there are no side quests, main quests, NPCs, doing chores for others, conversation etc. This way the game has a survival feeling to it, where its you against the island Love that focus. Also i must note that this has to be one of the quickest game startups in recent memory. You're in the main menu a second after launching the game. No bloated crap like with other games where you need to wait a long time to actually get started. Plus, only 1GB download. Just amazing.

So far I am in the early part of the game but I wanted to let Linux users know that it does work. By using wine 1.7.26 and installing dxfullsetup the game has been running fine.

I played Grim 2 for days and realized slowly that I just wasn't having that much fun. That surprised me as this game was an instant buy due to my love of the first. I go thru my checklist and really cant put my finger on why I am not having as much fun: fantastic graphics: check ease of controls: check vast in depth levels: check updated AI fights: check complicated puzzles and hidden secrets: check check check but still what is left is a grind. Maybe the very low graphics of the 1st allowed for more thrills when you found loot and allowed more immersion due to imagination taking over the plain graphics. Maybe the 1st one had a better story with each page pored over and those threatening dreams... how intriguing that was. Grim 2 there is really none of that. It feels so darn sanitized. um, so basically what I felt was as each level opened it was a grind to map out, find the secrets, battle the new type of mobs, enjoy the new landscape but .. that was all. I really didnt care about my team mates, I didnt care or really get the storyline or why I was there. Even the thrill of seeing loot at the end of long pixelated hallways is gone as its now lost in the lush 3d graphics and is a chore to find. i dunno, it has just felt so ... darn... boring. and grindy. stopped playing when I realized I was using a guide to find all the secrets without caring about trying to find them myself first. so if you enjoy mindless clearing of all the mobs in each level, then spending the rest of your time solving its puzzles and finding the secrets then repeat that same process over and over then this game is for you. If you want the original games intriguing storyline, thrill of finding loot, and feel like you are part of the story then stick with the 1st installment. Grimlock 2 is devoid of the heart and fun of the 1st. Like a polished but vacuous 2nd trophy wife it lacks the history, scars and bedraggled charm of the first wife.

First things first, if you enjoyed the original Legend of Grimrock then you should buy this up immediately though I don't fans of the original will be sat on the fence! Overall the game is a very polished experience. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous and if any undecided folks are concerned about the original's lack of alternate visuals and areas you're concerns are well and truly answered in this. The scenery is beautiful and takes you through a wealth of areas, from a muted cemetery to a fungal cavern there is vastly more diversity than the original and does the game credit in creating a more expansive open feeling whilst still the satisfaction of exploration. Gameplay is largely unchanged, however there are now increased class options, skills, weapons etc so whilst the core hasn't changed there is a lot of new items and some old familiars to keep the game fresh for veteran Grimrock players. All in all, considering the price and the polish that this game offers I'd recommend any dungeon crawling fans and anyone sitting on the fence to dive in and pick this game up. Have binged on it for the last few days and enjoyed every moment!