Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter Review

Developer: Odd Bug Studio

Platforms: Mac, PC (Reviewed), PS4/5, Switch, Xbox Series X|S

Genre: Action, Adventure, RPG

Publisher: United Label

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is a sequel to the critically acclaimed action RPG. The game was developed by Odd Bug Studio and published by United Label. Games similar to Tails of Iron 2 are Perennial Order, Titan Souls and more. The following review was done on Windows, but the game is available for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5, Switch and macOS. 

Tails of Iron 2 is a single-player game where you play as Arlo, the heir to the Warden of Wasters. As Arlo, you embark on a journey of vengeance against the Dark Wings. The game starts with a bloody cinematic that sets the scene of a war that unleashes the world of Winter’s Edge. Arlo sets out on this adventure to unite several animal clans in order to restore peace to the kingdom. 

The controls for Tails of Iron 2 are simple to get used to. The game itself recommends playing with a controller which has great key bind maps and is more comfortable. I played the game with a controller, which I found was perfect for the playstyle. However, if you do wish to play with a keyboard/mouse, it does not take away from the experience at all. The tutorial was really well done, as the rat who guides you at the beginning will tell you what needs to be done through drawings. Each section you access through your UI provides a good amount of detail for you to understand what each mechanic and option does. When you are able to interact with your surroundings, you see a visible bubble with the keybind highlighted, which I found extremely helpful.

The art style of Tails of Iron 2 resembles that of a pop-up storybook. The game features striking visual designs that incorporate 2D, hand-drawn elements that come together to build a mediaeval, dark fantasy aesthetic. Armours, weapons, buildings, and tapestries all include such fine details on mediaeval and Viking elements. As you traverse through the game, you come across several landscapes, such as ruins, snowy forests, and icy wastelands, that fit the tone of the game. The colour palette is perfect for a wintery atmosphere, and you are filled with grey, white, and blue tones. What I enjoyed the most about this game was the animations that were distinct and worked effortlessly with the combat and the movement of each character. The character design is quite captivating and reminds me of ‘The Tale of Despereaux’. The anthropomorphic nature of the characters, such as bats, frogs, and rats, have been detailed to have such expressive features and details like battle scars that give each of them unique personalities. The animation sequences in this game are so good. For instance, when ordering food, you sit at the table and munch down your plate. The visuals, by far, are the most impartial aspect of this game that sets a grimmish atmosphere. I especially love the visuals of the map that look like hand-drawn illustrations on scrolls. The map is also well-detailed and keeps good track of where the player is without getting lost.

Tails of Iron 2 is dark and surreal, with visuals that contribute to the immersive atmosphere. The music at first was grim and mediaeval-inspired, filled with slow melodies of cellos and violins. Music would sometimes get stronger, filled with battle drum-heavy melodies. Besides the music, the sound effects for the wintery environment are spot on, giving a more real feeling to the game. What I loved the most about this game was the narrator.  The gloomy narrator’s voice acting was spot on, and the animation was a perfect opening for what the story of Tails of Iron 2 unveils. The story is narrated by Doug Cockle, the voice actor for Geralt in ‘The Witcher’, which adds so much depth and a mellow tone to the story that unfolds. 

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter gets players to be keen on the monster-hunting aspect of the game. The monster hunting can be fun at the beginning parts of the game but starts to dial down in excitement. You mainly follow a similar pattern after finding a monster, which consists of damaging it a little, moving forward, damaging it more and then finally killing it. In some senses, it’s a great way to get players to explore various locations whilst getting to engage in combat, but gets boring after a while. The game itself is very Soulslike, but in nature, that aspect can get quite repetitive for the player. The game has an interesting way of interacting with characters. What I quite liked was that rather than being told what needs to be done through dialogue, you get illustrations and are equipped with what is expected from you. 

Now, I am not someone who has previously played the first game in the series, but I found Tails of Iron 2 to be nicely balanced. The first mechanic I enjoyed was the grappling hook that allowed you to reach higher ledges and made it so that traversing through several locations became easier. The only downside that came with this mechanic was that you could only use it when the option was made visibly clear; otherwise, it served no purpose. I wish the developers had introduced the grappling hook to be a mechanic that could easily be used when trying to reach ledges or high jumps without the need for a grapple point. Other items are also made available to Arlo that can help him with the battle berries to increase his HP, a whetstone to sharpen his blade and much more that Arlo can easily use through his battles.

Now, what makes Tails of Iron 2 strive is the combat, as you are heavily battling enemies and monsters throughout the progression of the story. The combat, for the most part, worked effortlessly, where you could easily hack and slash the enemy whilst being able to use your shield to block. Some instances made the combat slightly delayed, where the enemy would lock onto you for their attack, and it would be difficult to dodge past them. The combat does get a lot better later on in the game once you’re able to build a kit of armour and equipment that works well against various types of enemies. I would say that the game does a good job at testing the player’s reaction speed, which works best when trying to successfully take on a battle. Besides the basic combat, the game features an element system where certain weapons and armour can have effects such as fire and ice that can stun enemies and more. 

Players can easily earn money that they can use to buy items and equipment that they find whilst exploring different locations or completing quests. The game does not fall short in keeping the player active and giving you a good sense of direction. By far, the best thing about the game is the boss battles, which create a challenging event for players to build their kit up to. I would say that Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is an enjoyable game that will keep you on a battling spree. Of course, besides the battling, you can even upgrade and build various settlements to gain a better smithy and even tastier meals!

Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is an action RPG where you get to embody a rat heir named Arlo, who is on an adventure to seek vengeance. It is up to Arlo to restore peace back in his kingdom whilst taking on an army of monsters and enemies. You encounter demanding, unique bosses that will get you to strategize your attacks to keep you on your toes. Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter features stunning hand-drawn cartoon-like visuals with an immersive soundtrack that will keep you in the battle. Take on the journey to meet NPCs that bestow upon you knowledge and try to banish Dark Wings that have taken control over the world. So, Be sure to check out Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter!

Overall: 7.5/10

S & S Reviews

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