Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter Preview
There was a game that caught my attention at Steam Next Fest, which started recently and brought hundreds of new demos of new games. This, of course, was Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter itself. After this experience, I thought it would be best to write a preliminary review.
My Tails of Iron adventure
Tails of Iron has a universe that takes place in the Middle Ages and tells the story of certain animal clans. Since it coincided with a period of illness during which I was both curious and had plenty of time to play games, I had the opportunity to finish the first game directly before playing the second game, and I almost regretted not stepping into this series sooner. Although Tails of Iron was a game that did not contain complex mechanics and offered a slightly simpler gameplay in a strategic sense, it was definitely a very successful game in terms of gameplay. Both its story and what it offered to the player were interesting. Our narrator in both games was Doug Cockle himself – we know him better as Geralt of Rivia. Naturally, it was just as enjoyable to listen to the game from this familiar voice .
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter: Opening
While playing the first game, there were some points I complained about and wondered about. The main thing I didn’t like about the game was that it forced us into repetitive side activities and considered this as a primary element to complete the main mission. Unfortunately, the number of these was not small and it got really boring after a while. Moreover, the bosses interspersed between these side missions are almost harder than the ones we encounter in the main missions. Naturally, having to fight with these enemies for a few gold coins was not something I would prefer .
The factors I was curious about were who our enemies would be in the second game and what additions would be made to the gameplay. Although Tails of Iron is a game that fully fulfills the souls dynamics it was inspired by and reflects the combative gameplay of the souls genre very well, it needed a little more depth in the gameplay. It should have presented a more strategic fight instead of an ordinary fight . This was only possible with various mechanics that would be added to the gameplay and would radically affect the game.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter: New Enemies
As I played the first game, my curiosity for the demo was piqued. Tails of Iron was a game that brought together my favorite Middle Ages theme with a fantastic universe, and it also caught my attention with its gameplay. Therefore, when I finished the first game to experience the demo, which would take about 40 minutes, it was as if I had gone through a 9-hour preparation process and I was hoping that I could clear up all the question marks in my mind.
Things got even more intense with Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter
If you played the first Tails of Iron game, you know that this series has a somewhat brutal opening . Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter continues this tradition of the series in the best way possible. Moreover, this time our main enemies are not frogs. Bats, the epitome of an ancient evil. Although Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter takes place right after the first game, as far as I can see from the demo, it does not have much to do with the story of the first game.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter: Ancient Evil
The game, which is about the period when the Rats of the South started to put their lives back in order after the great war between the Rodent and Frog clans – that is, right after the first game – this time takes us towards the adventure of the Mice in the Northern lands . In fact, while we are playing Southern Mice in the first game, we are playing Northern Mice in the second game. Moreover, a much tougher adventure awaits us in our test in the North. This region also includes many new giant creatures that we have not seen before in the series.
From what I experienced from the demo, I can also say that Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter offers a more difficult experience than the first game. Many new factors in terms of gameplay have been included in the game and the feeling of strategic combat has really increased. Frankly, I’m glad that the game offers a more challenging experience. For those who want it, there is also a lower difficulty option, just like the first game. The game does not oblige anyone in terms of difficulty.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter: First Vengeance
There were many new critical factors that stood out to me while experiencing the demo. These were production, weapon sharpening, hook, elements and running respectively . Crafting wasn’t something that was in the first game. The first game was a game that generally handled every mechanic in the simplest way, but basically did what it was supposed to do quite well. The producers seem to have had the opportunity to reveal all their strengths with the second game. This production system will take an important place in the dynamics of the game and resource management will also be involved .
The crafting items featured during the demo were for items we directly use, such as armor pieces, swords, spears and shields. I don’t know if this scope will expand, but being able to improve ourselves with the various resources we collect from the enemies we defeat increases the gameplay motivation. It makes the game much more realistic, especially in a survival environment like Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter: Production
Weapon sharpening was my least favorite part of Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter . Although I haven’t had the opportunity to experience this feature in the working part of the game yet, it really negatively affected the experience during the demo. I honestly don’t understand why the producers made such a decision. If I were to briefly explain weapon sharpening to you, as we have seen in many games before, your weapon has a certain hit life and as this shortens, your damage decreases. When it drops to the lowest point, you can no longer deal damage. But this is not a long-lasting thing as we have seen in other games. For example, during the boss fight in the demo, I had to resharpen my weapon at least five times. So you focus both on your enemy and whether your weapon is broken or not.
I found the lifespan of this weapon to be very short, and I think the whetstone mechanic was a very forced addition. Okay, we think that Tails of Iron should increase the strategic depth with the second game, but it should not be by torturing the experience for the player. For example, elements have been added to the game and damage types have been placed on enemies. This was a nice and strategic addition. At the same time, armor also has resistance and weakness to certain elements. While there are additions like this, the whetstone really negatively affected my gameplay experience. Of course, as I said, we need to see this in the next game as well. Maybe we can improve this stone or replace it with much better alternatives.
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter: New Hunts
The hook and running mechanics mean that Tails of Iron 2 will offer players more practical methods in terms of travel. Even though we don’t see it in the demo, I think the side activities will become more comprehensive with the second game. Additionally, features such as hooks can also introduce exploration elements into the game.
last words
Another highlight of the Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter demo was its visuals. Tails of Iron series was already a brand that I liked very much in terms of art design. With the second game, the team took this to the top. I can say that a visual feast awaits us in terms of both environment and character designs. I especially liked the Northern lands. The theme of ancient evil also suits the game very well. I see that a magnificent struggle awaits us in this land covered with snow. Since the demo experience is limited, this is all I have to say for now.
