Blackguards 2

Blackguards 2 removes much of the chaff from the original game, but you'll still need some patience.

Sinister protagonists and smart tactical combat make Blackguards 2 a compelling exercise in evil.

One of the delights of settling down to a turn-based tactical RPG is poking around to understand how its systems combine and then utilising those systems in imaginative and tactically satisfying ways. In this regard, Blackguards 2 delivers. Eventually. The writing and presentation are serviceable rather than spectacular but there's a decent level of scope for customisation and engaging combat if you can push past its trudging opening hours. Cassia and co's deep-seated issues and baggage make them an entertaining bunch and while they won't set your world alight, they eventually prove capable of providing many hours of surprisingly amiable companionship.

Its greatest strength is the surprisingly poignant narrative about the muddy area between good and evil. I almost want to play through again to see how different choices will affect the later battles and the story's conclusion, but at 25-30 hours for one playthrough and combat that wears thin toward the end, it is just long enough for me to shy away from that idea.

An intriguing protagonist and art style can't save you from long battles and artificial content.

Let’s face it. Summer is a pretty thin period for game releases. If you’re in the market for a decent, robust and generally engaging turn-based RPG for the Switch, Blackguards 2 fits the bill. It isn’t the most original fantasy RPG ever made, but the story, meaningful choices, and mercenary mechanics elevate the game quite a bit. There’s a good amount of replayability built in, even if the battles grow repetitive. Blackguards 2 left me hoping for a sequel with better graphics and even more flexible combat and characters.

I'll admit that the opening cinematic for this game immediately started me out on a bad foot, as [trigger warning for pet lovers] for whatever reason a kitten is cruelly thrown to its death, and for the life of me I cant even understand what that has to do with anything at all...

Blackguards 2 comes to consoles with the same formula as its first installment, a turn-based tactical RPG. A different title inside the genre that could be interesting for those searching for new adventures.

Blackguards 2 offers us a good universe inspired by the great titles of classical fantasy literature where betrayals, stereotyped races and magic are more than present in a tactical RPG that is not very ambitious in technical terms, with a very good gameplay but a poor AI and a choices system that is not as deep as it originally seemed.

Blackguards 2 presents a dark and engaging tale that's sure to haunt you even after you put it down.