Tails of Iron 2 in the test: Brachiale soulslike fights in a rat-sharp robe

We take a close look at Tails of Iron: Whiskers of Winter in the test.

WithOn January 28, the successor to the action role-playing game of ODD Bug studio awaits us, in which we have to defend our home again as a fighting rat against a nasty threat.

A sequel awaits you, which puts a shovel in many areas, improved and expanded game mechanics and incorporates new ideas - but also has a few mistakes in their luggage.

In our test you can find out who the adventure is suitable for and who should better avoid Tails of Iron 2.

That seems familiar to us?

This time it moves to the north and we slip into the skin of the previously unknown rat Arlo. At the beginning of the game we go hunting with our foster father and when we come back, our fortress is attacked by nasty bats. Many residents and the lord of the castle are killed, buildings are placed in rubble and ashes and it is up to us to rebuild everything and to oppose the threat.

Do you feel familiar as fans of Tails of Iron? This is probably because it is pretty much the story of the predecessor. Sure, a few details and names are different, but the basic premise remains exactly the same. But that is not that bad, because as in part 1, the story leads us through the world rather functional and impresses with its charming-funny presentation. There are still a few small surprises - especially for fans of the predecessor.

Again, the animals speak again in all kinds of different quiek tones, while individual symbols in speech bubbles make it clear what it is about. Then there is the well -known narrator - again spoken by Doug Cookle, the English voice of Geralt-, who always has a few lines in stock.

The developers also rely on the extraordinary and very successful appearance of the predecessor, which reminds us of medieval paintings. However, the world is a bit more varied in the successor. Since pictures are known to say more than a thousand words on this point, look yourself:

More opponents, more options

As we explore the world, we get to do it again with all kinds of frogs, beetles, but also new opponents such as bats and snakes. The battles from the view of the Sei view are tough again and - at least from the middle (normal) of a total of three levels of difficulty - are a real challenge.

Basically, Whiskers of Winter takes over the predecessor's combat system and we strike with light and difficult attacks, block, parry and give way.

We swing different weapons, such as axes, swords or spears, but also limited long -distance weapons, such as arches and rifles. They also play very different-two-handed axes are much slower than spears, for example, but also divide more. In addition, our weapons can now also cause elementary damage such as ice and flash that trigger status effects for opponents over time and freeze them, for example.

This is also important for our armor, because helmets, breast equipment and shields are equipped with appropriate resistance. In addition to these, the weight also plays an important role again, because depending on the load, Arlo can dodge differently and quickly.

In our equipment, we always have to keep an eye on resistance and weight and at best adjust them.

There are new equipment in exploration, for completing quests or the blacksmith, in which we can use blueprints and resources such as iron to have powerful items made and upgrade.

The magic system is also newthat makes us work in the game for the four elements. So we spin fire balls or poison enemies. However, the use of the sayings is limited by Cooldowns, so, like our ranged weapons, they serve as an extension of the arsenal and not as a replacement for close combat.

The new skills fit into the game and make the battles even more varied, but also lead to the controls that feel a bit overloaded and that we have taken some time thanks to some double assignments to always access all skills. Especially in hectic struggles against opponent groups with different attack patterns, the fights sometimes felt chaotic and somewhat frustrating.

A highlight, on the other hand, are the boss fights, as well as the new Beast Hunts, in which we hunt particularly large critters as part of an order and fight in several stages. So we meet a large, magic spider or a steadily invisible snake system very early in the game.

More areas, more scope, more variety

A lot has happened in the circumference, because while the predecessor busy around 10 hours with all the trimmings, part 2 creates it15-20 hours. This is mainly due to the much longer main story, which leads us through the now seven biomes of the game.

Idyllic forests, snowy mountain landscapes or dreamy villages are full of different known and new peoples and are really fun, especially when exploring for the first time. This is also due to the new gripping hook, with which Arlo swings through the air at intended places.

Technology:On the PS5 and PS5 Pro, the game ran without problems/bugs and always fluid. The loading times when changing the area are brief.

On the way we can collect secrets such as hidden rooms, discover and resources. In side quests we help individual residents and support, for example, a short -sighted badger in the search for his glasses.

Detached from the side quests there are so-called orders, including the Beast Hunts already mentioned. They are less personal and let us fight a local spider plague, for example. Although there are usually several orders in each settlement, we can only accept it at the same time, which leads to the time that we have to visit the same areas again and again. This not only harms the pacing, but, despite abbreviations and a few less fast travel points, is quickly bored. Therefore, after a short time we concentrated on the big hunts and simply left out the rest.

We use collected resources and captured rewards to expand our fortress through a blacksmith or cook and to upgrade captured equipment. So we become stronger over time and can finally face the great threat to the game.