BLACK SOULS II
" Dark fairy tale RPG with intricate storytelling and strategic combat but steep difficulty spikes "
BLACK SOULS II Review
BLACK SOULS II is a deeply immersive and ambitious turn-based RPG that masterfully blends dark fairy tale themes with Lovecraftian horror and complex storytelling. Players explore a grimdark Wonderland, unraveling a rich lore filled with multiple paths, characters, and secrets. The game emphasizes exploration, replayability through cycles, and strategic combat requiring thoughtful customization and timing. Its narrative challenges players with themes of madness, obsession, and morality, making it a psychologically intense experience.
While the game is praised for its unique art style, world-building, and emotionally impactful story, it demands patience due to a steep learning curve, occasional UI frustrations, and the need for external patches to access full content. The DLCs especially ramp up difficulty, providing a tough challenge even for seasoned players. Overall, BLACK SOULS II is celebrated as a passionate indie masterpiece that transcends its RPG Maker origins, offering a dark, memorable journey for those willing to delve into its depths.
Highlights
Players highly praise BLACK SOULS II for its intricate storytelling and rich world-building, which intertwines dark fairy tales and Lovecraftian themes. The game's turn-based combat system is lauded for strategic depth and customization, providing adrenaline-inducing encounters. The unique art style and atmospheric music enhance the grim, unsettling tone. Replayability is a standout feature, with multiple endings, cycles, and the Chaos Dungeon offering endless exploration and challenge. The emotional resonance and character development are also frequently highlighted, making it a compelling narrative experience.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the need for external patches to access uncensored content and fix missing elements, which can hinder initial playability. The UI and gameplay mechanics can be frustrating, lacking clarity in enemy actions and requiring trial-and-error learning. Some players find the difficulty spikes in DLCs excessively punishing, potentially gatekeeping content. Additionally, the large world map and multiple endings can feel overwhelming for replay. The presence of explicit content has also attracted a niche fanbase that some find off-putting, though this does not affect the game's core quality.
Pros
- • Intricate and emotionally impactful storytelling with deep lore.
- • Strategic turn-based combat with extensive customization options.
- • Unique, raw art style enhancing the dark atmosphere.
- • High replayability with multiple endings and cycles.
- • Rich world-building blending fairy tales and Lovecraftian horror.
- • Engaging character development and memorable cast.
- • Chaos Dungeon offers endless exploration and grinding.
Cons
- • Requires external patch to unlock full content and fix issues.
- • User interface can be unintuitive and frustrating.
- • Steep difficulty spikes, especially in later DLCs.
- • Large world map may overwhelm new players.
- • Explicit content may deter some players and attract niche fanbase.
- • Some translation inconsistencies compared to original version.
- • Certain gameplay mechanics lack clear enemy telegraphs.
Rating Criteria
Despair. Fear, Madness, once again. An original work based on "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking-Glass." Dark Fairy Tale Fantasy x Psychological Horror RPG focusing on the themes of "Exploration of a Mad World" and "Life or Death Combat against Demonbeasts".