Blackguards 2

You know what stinks? Even at $1.00 I was debating on a recommend or not. Because Blackguards 2 is pretty much nothing but heavily flawed. But for what I paid, knowing it goes on sale like that, how much I liked the concepts of the story, and knowing it had bugs and problems going in ehhhhhhhh fine. I recommend under those circumstances.

Can you cheese maps with magic that became overpowered to make up for the first game being a little lackluster with it? Yes.
Does the game throw random stuff at you expecting you to restart fights over and over figuring out mechanics that aren't explained? Yes, and that one I'm still unsure if I love or hate it.
Does the game rely heavily on reinforcements/waves of enemies(sometimes infinite) the player can't predict over real manageable challenge? Yes.
Are maps frustratingly over sized sometimes wasting characters/enemies turns on repeat just to reach a lever or some other goal? Yes.
Does the camera stay fixed making enemies and items hard to see and click on behind stuff? Yes.
Can you sped up battles? No, you're sitting there waiting for the new spawns and current enemies to go instead of making them into mobs. It pauses if you go to another monitor, too haha.
Can you respec/rebuild the party? No.
Like a lot of games focused on choice Blackguards 2 ends up on 'A is good and B is evil' mentality and it is not subtle.

So that's a lot of negatives. But I really did adore the core concept of the main character. I liked that I could legitimately introspect and talk to myself. I liked that people regularly commented on my appearance and past while the character flipped out. I liked that when I was not in control my character(adjacent or mentioned, not the literal taking away of player agency) 100% did some vile stuff and just says out of pocket things. My control is determining where we end up while my character freaks out and I'm pretty into that as a concept. The main plot was messily done and didn't relate much to the first game but I was there for it. Returning characters seemed aggressively in-character if not more morally grey. Maps are reused, but a lot had more unique concepts or goals to shake things up. Mixed results with how enemies are always outnumbering you and usually getting more every few turns. In current year of review, 2025, I already knew the game was outdated and probably buggy. It is, considering I was reloading for achievements on the regular. If you're also on board with all that, give ti a go on a heavy sale.

Tips and tricks for the interested:

-For your melee characters Hammerblow is nearly useless when you have Dual-Wield attack

-You get one mage, unless you yourself are one. I highly recommend this if you want to obliterate the battlefield

-Cheese to borderline cheat: Mage Player Character and mage Zurbaran. Max out Astral energy and take level 4 in the cold spell/cold shock. 4 of those cast at highest level wipes most maps

-Sometimes achievements just won't pop or the game will freeze. Keep those saves plentiful.

Great game, I loved the first Blackguards, this one added fun new mechanics and a real challenge too, playing on hard mode. These have to be my favourite turn-based strategy games, great sort of dnd experience! Choices matter and you can have very different end results based on how you treat your companions

It was good to see the characters from the first part and find out how their lives went on... On the other hand - it is a completely new story, rather tragic and gruesome... Game feels rough and sometimes broken, so hard to recommend if you haven't enjoyed the first part.

NOTE: I just spent(wasted) 3+ hours on a set of two battles (three as the other was a two parter.) of which I quit both and the first one I had to restart seven times (3 on first part, 4 on the second)!. So this review might be bit salty.
I gave this game a positive review even though I would like to give it more of a neutral one.
So what are the positives. Well the game is nice to play for starters. The story is interesting, the dialogue is well written and characters are interesting, you have lots of freedom in creating your main character, fights can be tough but boy is the game unpolished....
There are skills which wording is just lying to you! An attack that says that it hits all the ENEMIES around you actually hits EVERYONE.
The fights don't tell you the objective, so hopefully you can figure the objective out and/or keep an eye on what is happening on the battlefield! Note: the game DOESN'T turn the screen or anything if something happens on the battlefield! Hopefully you have a photographic memory and can figure out what happened on the battlefield after you turn a lever or something.
Oh and I said that the fights can be tough. Yeah the fights can turn to frustrantigly annoying at times when you have no clue what you should be doing and then something comes from the left field that utterly messes up your gameplan. Alt+F4 is a common button combination that you will use a lot with this game. I don't mind challenge as long as it is fair and this game kicks fair to the teeth after about six moves on the world map (Three if you are fooled by a beginners trap).
And it is really annoying that the game doesn't allow you to save in the fights. Only between them (And no, fights with multiple parts don't allow you to save between them.), so hopefully you have an entire evening to spend on just one fight.
Oh and for an isometric tactical game it is really weird that you cannot move the camera around! It gets really hard to try and hit something with your cursor that is behind something at times!
Yeah waah the game is too hard and I want a Fable like trail of crumbs telling me what to do. Sorry but having to start each turn by going through the map with the highlighter on to see if something happened, or if you did do something is really annoying. One fight I didn't even hear a portal opening that I supposedly should have gone through apparently.
So yeah the game works but it needed more polish. Now get ready to enjoy a nice game that is hidden inside a really tough outerior. Also make sure that you have nothing important to do for couple of hours when you start to play this.

2/10, only recommend playing it, if u intrested what happened to ur party memmbers from original blackguards. Game its self is slow, boring, not chalanging. Story is okay, but combat and exploration options absulutely let down.

Blackguards 2 is a gritty, tactical turn-based RPG that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor while offering meaningful improvements in both narrative cohesion and strategic depth. Developed by Daedalic Entertainment, this dark fantasy adventure draws from the lore-rich world of The Dark Eye, Germany’s long-running tabletop RPG universe. With a heavier focus on warfare, player agency, and morally ambiguous decision-making, Blackguards 2 carves out its identity as a challenging and satisfying experience for fans of methodical combat and narrative-driven campaigns.
Set several years after the events of the first game, Blackguards 2 introduces Cassia, a noblewoman turned vengeful prisoner who rises from captivity with one goal: to claim the Shark Throne and rule over the land of Aventuria. Cassia is not your typical RPG heroine—she is manipulative, unstable, and increasingly ruthless, making her a refreshingly unconventional protagonist. Her descent into obsession and power mirrors the game’s grim tone, and players must navigate not only external battles but also internal struggles within Cassia's growing army. The story unfolds with a mature and morally complex edge, and while it may not offer a sprawling, branching narrative, it maintains a strong focus and thematic consistency throughout.
Combat is the heart of Blackguards 2, and the game shines in its tactical depth. Battles are grid-based and emphasize careful planning, positioning, and skill synergy. Terrain plays a significant role—traps, elevation, destructible objects, and environmental hazards force players to adapt and think ahead. Each character brings a set of unique abilities and spell trees, and the customization options are extensive, allowing for different builds and combat styles. Whether you're deploying archers to high ground or casting battlefield-altering spells, the game rewards strategic thinking and punishes reckless moves.
One of the most notable improvements over the original is the revised campaign structure. Blackguards 2 introduces a semi-open conquest map where players can choose which territories to attack, defend, or ignore. This dynamic progression system adds a light layer of resource management and decision-making that makes each run feel more personalized. Reclaiming or losing territory has mechanical and narrative consequences, and as Cassia gains control over more of the realm, the sense of power—and responsibility—grows.
Visually, the game maintains a dark, gritty aesthetic, with hand-drawn textures and moody lighting that reflect the bleakness of the world. Character designs, while not cutting-edge, are distinctive and consistent with the tone of the setting. Dialogue is fully voiced, and while some performances are uneven, they add life to the characters and contribute to the immersive atmosphere. The soundtrack complements the game well, enhancing moments of tension, desperation, and triumph without ever becoming intrusive.
Despite its strengths, Blackguards 2 is not without flaws. The user interface can be clunky at times, especially when managing inventories or navigating the skill trees. The difficulty curve can spike unpredictably, with some missions presenting an overwhelming challenge even with careful preparation. Additionally, while the conquest system adds variety, the mission objectives can become repetitive over time, with many battles boiling down to “eliminate all enemies” or “defend for X turns.” For some, the oppressive tone and morally gray characters may also feel too bleak or alienating.
Still, for players who appreciate games that demand patience, planning, and tough decisions, Blackguards 2 is a rewarding experience. Its combination of dark narrative themes, improved strategic mechanics, and a memorable lead character make it stand out in the tactical RPG space. While it may not reach the production polish of genre giants, it more than compensates with personality, depth, and atmosphere.
In conclusion, Blackguards 2 is a strong follow-up that refines and expands on what made the original unique. With a compelling anti-heroine at its center, a robust tactical combat system, and a campaign that allows for genuine player agency, the game delivers a gritty and immersive fantasy journey. It’s not a perfect title, but its ambition and complexity make it a hidden gem for strategy enthusiasts and fans of darker, narrative-driven RPGs.
Rating: 6/10

Great game. I have no problem recommending it.