Review for Hand of Fate 2. Game for PlayStation Network, PC, Steam, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 07/11/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 17/07/2018
Defiant Development returns to the game with the new Hand of Fate 2, which takes everything that was good from the first chapter and improves it from every point of view. In Hand of Fate 2 we will play the role of a warrior who will have to bet his fate on cards against his opponent, the enigmatic Dealer, who will have no qualms as he transforms us into the instrument of his revenge.
New game, new rules
In this new chapter from the very first minutes the dealer will explain to us that the game has changed compared to the past, both for some rules and for the general approach. This time, in fact, we will play directly on the bench with our pawn, which will have to follow a path formed by hidden cards and, every time we move to one of them, this will be revealed showing us our destiny.
The main cards to know are those that define the status of our character: the card of life, one for provisions, one for money and one for fame. In addition to these, those of our equipment will be available, which can be managed according to the type of combat to be faced: for example, two-handed daggers will be more functional against thieves, while heavy weapons will be needed against more robust enemies.
During our adventures we will always have to check these cards to avoid running out of supplies or life points, which together could undermine the success of our enterprise. Every time we move to a new card, in fact, we will consume a supply, until in the long run it may be impossible to regenerate life points when we are camped. But don't despair because in Hand of Fate 2, as in the first chapter, it will be possible meet events that will allow us to get bonus food, money and life. But be careful, because at the same time there are also events that can steal money or life points.
Fight your fate
The card game has a very interesting plot, which will allow us to meet bandits, corrupted, infected and bosses of all kinds, who will try to put a spoke in the wheel in every way. In this second chapter the management of the challenges has improved and allows you to choose, from a specific map, one of the over 20 challenges available, each of which will require the use of a certain number of cards - to be obtained in the previous challenges - to be launched. To accompany us in the first adventures there will be our companion, called Malaclypse, which we will meet in the first minutes of the game and which will help us during the various fights, while providing protection through its secondary skills.
Continuing in the various challenges, we will notice that some cards will be distinguished by particular symbols, first of all by coin. The latter, when present on the card, will be collected at any cost: at the end of each challenge they will be able to find equipment and many cards, essential for starting the next challenges. Tokens can be obtained by completing the event proposed by the corresponding card, with a more or less complex level of difficulty depending on the type of token.
As in the first chapter, also in Hand of Fate 2 sometimes you will be forced to fight in a certain event, while at other times the fight can be avoided by paying vagrants, providing equipment or hoping for a lucky roll of the dice. Dice are a very important aspect of the gameplay and will allow us to overcome certain obstacles, as long as we obtain a score equal to or higher than that indicated by the event. There will be three dice to roll, and if the first roll does not go as planned, we can choose to roll again the dice that have a low score, or all, in the hope of getting at least the minimum score.
Combat system
The combat system of Hand of Fate 2 brings significant general improvements without distorting too much the style that remains similar to what we can find in titles like Middle-earth: Shadow of War. During our adventure it will happen very often to have to fight. In the fights we will use our warrior that we will be able to customize from the first minutes of the game and throughout the adventure, choosing from some predefined faces and hair, and then select the crest of our family and the emblem, which in full will provide a some personality to our avatar, which never hurts.
The fights have almost all the same setting, that is a combat in a small variable map against enemies and bosses. To face the various enemies it is necessary to equip yourself, carefully choosing which weapon to use based on the antagonists to be faced: for example one-handed weapon and shield against some soldiers, two-handed daggers against thieves, or heavy weapons against more resistant and shielded enemies. The various enemies will have different attacks that we will have to dodge or block thanks to the aids that the game will provide us: when we need to block an attack, the enemy will be sprinkled with a green aura, while when we are about to receive a heavy attack (which we will therefore have to dodge ) the aura will be fiery red.
The various fights will not always be the same: the variables involved will be many, such as for example curses and blessings, or the presence of bosses, which once defeated can appear as normal enemies in subsequent challenges. Each boss will have generally different attacks and can often be equipped with a shield, which must be destroyed before being able to attack it directly, and then KO it thanks to the special ability that can be recalled with the appropriate button.
Graphically it does not disappoint
While not great, the graphic sector of Hand of Fate 2 still manages to be pleasant like the first chapter, obviously bringing the necessary precautions. In front of the dealer it is possible to appreciate the interesting level of general detail that helps to give a more realistic and immersive experience. As for the fights, however, the level of detail is slightly lower but still visually pleasing, thanks to the suggestive settings.
Speaking of animations instead, we found some problems both in collisions generated by weapons and interpenetration with objects: the weapon, during executions, tends to pierce the opponent in an unrealistic way, leaving some doubts to the player.
Also artificial intelligence often leaves something to be desired: a bit like it happens in titles that have the same combat system, the enemies will never attack all together and will often stand alone to watch, allowing us to kill one of their companions in absolute tranquility. However, it seemed a more than sensible choice, given that the game focuses a lot on saving life and given the impossibility of regenerating it over time, the combined attacks by the enemies would have been perhaps too complicated to manage.
Hand of Fate 2 improves in many respects, bringing new rules and different handling for the cards, while still leaving the same spirit of play that will accompany the player towards his destiny. Graphically, it seemed very interesting, also given the very low weight on the disc, which together with a very well introduced combat system in the gameplay manages to entertain the player for many hours. Also interesting is the plot which, together with the random events, the choices and the customizable equipment, helps to create a quality game that will intrigue newbies and at the same time also convince the veterans of the series, who will surely appreciate the many improvements in this new chapter.
► Hand of Fate 2 is a Card Game-RPG type game developed and published by Defiant Development for PlayStation Network, PC, Steam, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 07/11/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 17/07/2018
