Recent reviews by DarkHardStone

Very good game, very satisfying to simply play while listening to a podcast or playing with a friend.

They keep putting more and more dlc that are filled with references and true love letters to these games.

5/5 The gnomes keep watching

Good ship cutting game, none other that can be similar. But the story is a bit lacking.

Core gameplay is very addictive!

Played just a bit, it's aight.

Such a fun game. Props to the devs to have kept the game going all this time until we finaly got the memo!

Is Good

Hand of Fate 2, a rogue-like card collecting with rpg elements.

First, this is a great successor to a game I thought would be a one-shot. Some of the major inconvenience that would make the game less enjoyable to play (I look at you combat) were refined. Do I recommend it? Since you see the blue thumb, I will let you guess that part on your own...

But what does Hand of Fate 2 offer?

It offer a gameplay that I would consider rather unique. As a rpg, you don't level up your stats, but the events you will encounter. Hand of Fate 1 did have this system that will make the player go on cards, solve a solution to win more cards afterwards. This will make you gain other events/quests to do, but also equipment that will be available later on. For what I have seen, you will win (or lose) these card's event by playing a few smaller games. For example, rolling dices/spinning the wheel/choosing the right card.

But does that mean that it is all random and that you need extreme luck to succed some tests? Well... Yes and no. Yes because, well, sometime you do need luck to have successes. No because there are many way to make your onw luck. Some items in game will make tests easier (wheel is slower, bad card is marked, etc). But for me, I simply watch the cards as they are shuffled and pick up the clues from what I see. The cards that are dealed in front of you aren't randomized, you can track a card! Many people didn't realized that.

You will start each mission without much, but you will find equipment cards to simple put on your character. Another thing that was changed from the first game was the mission type you would be doing. In the first game, you would explore a dungeon, get the cards, go beat a boss and you were done. In this new installement of the game, there are many different quests with different goals. It does give different gameplay options, so you don't get bored by replaying exactly the same mission, but it also impact the atmosphere in a great way. You feel involved in the story that is actualy your own. You will also meet companions that will aid you in battle, change dialogues in quests when they are with you and that will have their own sets of quests.

The combat in Hand of Fate 2 is better than the first game. It is, however, still a bit gimmicky for my taste. But, this isn't a dealbreaker in my opinion. The variety of the weapons and of enemies make each combat pretty entertaining. When you understand the battle system, it remains simple to play without being overly easy like the first game. If some people count this as a con, I personnaly really like the ragdoll effect on the ennemies.

But Hand of Fate 1 did something I really loved and I didn't think they would be able to reproduce the result another time. The main enjoyment in the first game was the narrator/the Dealer and the atmosphere that was produced. For those who finished the first game, you know how it ends. I was surprised and scared to see him back in a sequel. Surprised to see him back, scared that he wouldn't deliver as much as in the first game. I was glad that these risk were unfounded. Hand of Fate 2 is really acing the atmosphere while bringing the gameplay to new heights.


So, if I was to resume everything...

Pro:
-Atmosphere is great. May in be while you are with the narrator or in the battlefield, it just feel good.
-Music is done right. It never got on my nerve, I could actualy play it for hours. Really great for the atmosphere as well.
-Artwork is beautiful. On the cards at least. I'll come back for the models.
-The story progression feels right, the missions are all different and the event cards you bring always make these missions feel different.
-The Dealer. He was the reason I played the first game, he still takes the cake. That voice is amazing!
-Character customization. It isn't too much elaborated, but enough to give you the feeling of being your own character. More than in the first one!
-The Devs are doing so muh to improve the game. This is worth so much as a pro in these days.

Neutral:
-Combat is better, but still a bit weird. At least it's not too easy/laughable.
-There is some twitch integration. Not that I mind too much, but you can vote for things to happen in a streamer game if you are into that stuff. I saw someone get the dealer to put the ''deal-with-it'' glasses and I thought it was funny.
-The character models are neat. In battles, they are ok in my book. Beside, for a side-part of the game, I believe they did the right amount of work in there.
-Luck. I don't mind, but some people do care about this aspect. Just know that you can create your own luck in some ways.

Con:
-Combat gameplay is still a con for me. It is better than before, but it is still the part I enjoy the less. And the tokens for the weapon cards are so grindy... My least favorite aspect of the game to be honnest.

Conclusion
Hand of Fate 2 is better in everyway to the first game. If you like the first, buy it. If you didn't because of the gameplay, this may be the version to change your mind.