Developer: Defiant Development
Publisher: Defiant Development
Platform(s): PS4, PC
Our 50 best games of the year countdown isn’t in any order, we’re just going through fifty of the finest the year has given us. Find out more here.
Who doesn’t love a surprise entry? They’re what make the Royal Rumble such exciting viewing, after all. We pretty much had our list of 50 games lined up, then out of nowhere comes Hand of Fate 2 to throw its hat into the ring. Consider it the “Jericho Surprise Return” of this list. Not the list of Jericho, mind you, but this lis- I’ll stop before I’m buried under the weight of my own references.
Hand of Fate 2, the sequel to 2015’s appropriately titled Hand of Fate, took the original game’s core deck building concepts and turned the dial up even further. Whilst the original was purely about the card game being played between yourself and the enigmatic dealer, the sequel focuses more on the adventures you have during the game.
Though that does diminish the interactions you have with the Dealer, which was one of the most important aspects of the first game, it gives the sequel freedom to explore new objective types and scenarios. We talk about those situations more in the review, but suffice to say that there’s plenty of variety in both your objectives and in the cards you draw.
The inclusion of companions in the game is also fantastic, as they not only aid you in combat, but also give you side quests that evolve as you tackle the various scenarios. These missions are like mini-adventures within your main adventure, and can often play out with different outcomes and consequences.
Though it’s one of the latest entries on this list of games, Hand of Fate 2 is no less deserving of a spot here. By building on the solid foundations of the first game with fantastic improvements in key areas, Defiant Development have created a unique RPG that demands your attention. If you love fantasy RPGs and you’re looking for something new, look no further.
“The Dealer has returned for the second iteration of his card game, making Hand of Fate 2 a much more well-rounded and enjoyable experience. Though it’s not perfect, and the element of chance won’t be to everyone’s taste, Hand of Fate 2 is worth checking out for anyone with an interest in fantasy RPGs.”
READ MORE:
– Hand of Fate 2 (PS4) REVIEW
– The 50 Best Games of 2017
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