Blackguards 2

This game was not quite what I expected. It is not an out and out RPG and it is not especially similar to it's predecessor. It is a sequence of short strategy based combat puzzles with an element of RPG style character building. There are four main party members throughout most of the game and a number of mercenaries with different skills (who fight for the hero based on something approaching religious ideals so don't need paying). Each combat puzzle provides Action Points and upgrades (the upgrades can be: attributes for party member/mercenaries, additional special skilled mercenaries, availability of extra equipment). Everything to this point in no way detracts from the experience. The character building options are a numerous but a little less interdependent than is often the case in out-and-out RPGs but on the other hand you get to select which mixture of party members/mercenaries will take part in each combat (I feel this sort of balances quite well). I only really have one critique. I bought this expecting something RPG-ish and I would usually expect a lot of replayability in an RPG. I didn't feel this was especially challenging (I found three particular combat scenarios needed more than a couple of attempts) and having completed it feel like it is fully solved and I am therefore unlikely to replay it.

I played both games, this title is not as long as the first one and the story isnt that complex. However, gameplay wise I can recommend that, especially if it's on sale. If you enjoyed the first one, you can grab it and get a similar experience.

Be it as it may, the combat in not the strongest side of the game. It is nice, chalanging at times, but the game really shines at its story and roleplay. Machiavellism in a dark fantesy at its best.

I liked the first Blackguards, but this is another level! The voice acting is sensational and the story is to a degree gritty, realistic and with plot twists. Quite an impressive game and it is as many people like it: a focus on story, character leveling (where you will spend a lot of time deliciously thinking where to invest every point!) and tactical combat, and not other useless distractions (like huge maps with all kinds of silly flowers that you end up gathering like a true kleptomaniac to then make a quazillion potions... aaaaand that is how you broke/spoilt the game for yourself, by either having too many and powerful consumables (example: years ago I won the arena in Elder Scrolls: Oblivion at level 3, due to reaching very high levels in alchemy) or by getting a lot of gold due to selling these. In these game armour is pricy and money is tight and so you think twice about spending that mana potion...).

Each level is a hex-map battlefield puzzle. Play this game when the cat insists on sitting in your lap and shooters are out of the question. Or maybe when you're sipping coffee.