Blackguards 2

Got this one on the spring 2025 discount, and it's certainly worth the purchase for $3. Fun banter, decent voice acting, and solid customization. I did not play the first game and cannot compare against it. I do feel the game lacks some context as to the motivation of the main character, and 6 fights in I still have no clue why she's doing what she is doing. The UI can be a bit clunky in that you have to manually upgrade your spell hotbars and it's difficult to figure out the full stat change impact of equipping different gear. Once you get it, then it makes sense; but it's not very intuitive. There are a few "run away" fights that are just boring, but that's typical for any tactical or RPG (escort quests are of a similar vein). But these are minor issues overall, hence the 4 star review. The ideas used within the gameplay and the mechanisms in place to alter the story are fascinating thus far, especially for a game from a smaller developer in 2015. Take note this developer is no longer making games after their debacle with the LOTR Gollum game in 2023. I cannot speak to their customer support, but I have read reviews where this one is playable with numerous bugs. I haven't seen any gameplay altering bugs, but it's worth calling out. Would highly suggest purchasing if you love dark/grim stories with a tactical RPG and war campaign combination game. If you are on the fence, wait for it to go on sale, then grab it. But if you do not like tactical RPGs or want to create your own character or want 100% insane micro-managing customization, then this one might be a pass.

I'm not one for writing long verbose reviews on games. What I do like • It isn’t a button masher. • You don’t have a ridiculous about of hit points. • You don’t get an abundance of magical items. o Each weapon/armor has its own strengths and weaknesses.  Yes, chainmail will not be much help against blunt weapons. • Streamlined character advancement. • Tactical combat. What I don’t like • They created a great story and didn’t do enough to tell or immerse you in it. (Biggest crime in any game for me.) o It’s a civil war.  No one defects from the army to join you?  You have a spy master, why not some spy missions. • Peasant uprisings before you attack? • Poison a garrison’s food? • Second part of the Adamant Fortress mission. o I mean come on. • The game is more of an expansion pack versus a sequel • Unable to rotate the camera. I did like the game. It needed to be longer with more immersion. The battles could be a bit harder. I don’t mean just adding more HP to enemies. Some of the battles seemed to be more of a test of endurance and brute force. I would love to see another game. I also would like to see them make a WH40k Dark Heresy game. Based on the PnP books like they did with Dark Eye. The game’s combat system would fit. On a side note. I’ve never understood setting traps in during a battle in any game. Wouldn’t they see you? Is Dark Eye really that complicated?

too many enemies to 4 allies and expensive items to found poor items.sometimes 2 or 4 items.is bourring.

It is way too linear. There is no initial character creation, your stuck in an oubliette conected to a pointless seeming set of mazes in the early game and thats as far as I got .

the fist blackguards!