Since 2013

Search

Search

Review: Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter

8/10

Summary

Odd Bug Studio has taken the core elements that made the original a success and expanded upon them in meaningful ways. Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter offers a rich and challenging experience that will satisfy fans of the original while drawing in new players with its enhanced features and expanded world.

Developer – Odd Bug Studio

Publisher – United Label

Platforms – PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (reviewed)

Review copy given by publisher

Who knew we were going to get a full on sequel to the slept on indie game Tails of Iron? Odd Bug Studio is back in full swing with Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter. Set in the snow ravaged northern realms of Ratdom, Whiskers of Winter follows a new protagonist Arlo, a young rat heir, on a quest for vengeance against the menacing Dark Wings. Sorry Redgi, you’re not in the spotlight this time.

For those unfamiliar, Tails of Iron is a hand-drawn 2D action Souls-like game that was released to great acclaim back in 2021. Whiskers of Winter follows suit, with the same artstyle and charm that the original offered. That being said, you do not need to have played the first to enjoy this, but I do recommend you experience it anyways as it’s an overlooked gem.

The narrative, while treading familiar ground, is elevated yet again by the gravelly narration of Doug Cockle, whose voice lends a sense of gravitas to the grim fairy tale unfolding before you. The audio design deserves special mention, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere. The music, coupled with Cockle’s narration, creates an immersive auditory experience that draws you deeper into the world of Ratdom.

Unlike the first game, this sequel comes out of the box with 3 difficulty modes: Fairy Tail, Tails of Iron, and Bloody Whisker. The first game had one difficulty mode on the initial release, but added the separate ones in a post launch DLC! These changes and additions make Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter a more accessible and expanded experience compared to its predecessor.

Gameplay-wise, Whiskers of Winter refines the Soulslike combat of the original, but is more or less the same. You’ll need to master dodges, blocks, and parries to fight your way to victory. The game retains its color-coded attack system, where different colored auras indicate specific defensive actions required (ie. red is unblockable, yellow needs to be parried). The newly added grappling hook mechanic introduces a new dimension to traversal, opening up previously inaccessible areas. Boss battles are nothing to be trifled with, as they are just as challenging, if not more than the ones from the first title.

Combat has been expanded with the introduction of elemental effects, allowing you to imbue your weapons with fire, ice, electricity, and poison! A big complaint about the first game was the lack of i-frames during dodging, and the developers listened to feedback and added it in Tails of Iron 2! Another significant addition is the monster hunting mechanic, where you can track and defeat legendary gigantic beasts to harvest rare upgrade materials. Each area will be inhabited by large roaming monsters that appear depending on the time of day, exhibiting life-like behavior such as sleeping and fleeing.

Whiskers of Winter now includes improved side quests that are more story-driven compared to the first game, along with a new settlement-building mechanic for your town: Winter’s Edge. Here you can construct and upgrade various facilities to unlock access to more powerful items, meals, and traps. The overall playtime of the game has nearly doubled, with the first game taking around 7-8 hours to finish, and the sequel taking 15-20! More bang for your buck!

Character progression in Tails of Iron 2 is multifaceted as you can choose from different weapon types, including swords, axes, and spears, each with unique attributes and combat styles. A wide range of armor sets is available, each with exclusive properties, allowing you to tailor your defensive strategy. Crafting can be done using resources obtained from defeated enemies and exploration.

Just like the first game, Tails of Iron 2’s visual presentation is nothing short of stunning. The hand-drawn art style, reminiscent of medieval storybooks, brings the world to life with intricate details and a charm that disguises the brutality of the setting. The expansion to six distinct biomes offers a diverse and visually striking landscape to explore, with each area teeming with its own unique atmosphere and challenges. A world map makes Ratdom feel more developed than what was introduced in Tails of Iron. Expect to meet several new animal factions, such as the Owls from the Golden Forests, the Rabbits, Fish people, and the Beavers.

Tails of Iron 2 takes up a small but mighty 2.14 gigs on the PlayStation 5. It is a small indie game after all. Performance is great with stable and smooth frame rates and relatively quick load times from the main menu. There aren’t a lot of settings to tweak with here other than rebinding the control scheme and your typical language and sound toggles.

Odd Bug Studio has taken the core elements that made the original a success and expanded upon them in meaningful ways. Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter offers a rich and challenging experience that will satisfy fans of the original while drawing in new players with its enhanced features and expanded world.

Share Everywhere!
RELATED ARTICLES