Spirit of the North 2 Review
Summary: The Spirit of the North 2 is indeed the spiritual successor to this Zen-like game.
4
Spiritual successor
Welcome back to the beautiful and magical Lands of Nordic mythology in Spirit of the North 2 which is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 indie gem, bringing players back into this breathtaking world with stunning atmospheric exploration and its Zen-like gameplay. Developed by Infuse Studio and published by Silver Lining Interactive, this instalment expands upon the original’s themes of solitude and discovery, offering a larger open world, deeper mechanics and a more engaging narrative.
In terms of narrative, Spirit of the North 2 is set in an ancient world left in ruin where players take on the role of an isolated fox who is far from home. Guided by a wise raven companion, you must seek out the lost legendary Guardians and free them from the sinister clutches of the dark shaman Grimnir. The journey is one of survival, magic and cleansing the land of this corruption as you explore vast landscapes filled with forgotten history and mystical forces.
Unlike its predecessor, Spirit of the North 2 introduces more structured storytelling, with puzzle-based encounters that reveal the lore of the world. The silent narrative remains a core element, allowing players to interpret the tale through environmental storytelling rather than direct exposition which is truly a beautiful gaming mechanic.
From a gameplay perspective, the game embraces open-world exploration, allowing players to roam freely through dense forests, snow-capped peaks, and ancient crypts. Unlike the first game’s linear approach, this sequel offers a vast, interconnected world, encouraging players to uncover hidden secrets and ancient runes that enhance their mystical abilities. As part of the progression, you collect spirit whisps and although there are a few bugs here and there, they didn’t really impede on my enjoyment of the game or break that immersion, but others have had more issues that I’m sure will be fixed with a patch.
Combat and puzzle-solving play a larger role this time around which plays perfectly on both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Players must cleanse corrupted spirits through thrilling, puzzle-based encounters, using their fox’s agility and magical abilities to overcome obstacles. The boss battles are interesting as well in that you need to find their weakness to defeat them. Further, the addition of customization options for both the fox and raven companion adds a personal touch, allowing players to tailor their experience. While some of these puzzles can be a challenge at times, the developers ensure that they provide just the right number of clues for the gamer so that it doesn’t become a chore – however if Zen-likes games is not your cup of gaming tea, this will become a grind.
Graphics & Audio
Harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 5, Spirit of the North 2 delivers breathtaking landscapes, with dynamic lighting, detailed textures and fluid animations. The world feels alive, with weather effects and environmental storytelling enhancing immersion. Our two main characters move with real-world grace and of course are the stars of this game.
Then you have the audio which perfectly complements the gameplay and the graphics. The soundtrack is composed by Pav Gekko, which is a feature of the game as it evolves dynamically as the adventure unfolds. From sweeping scores during the intense moments to softer melodies in tranquil exploration, the music perfectly complements the game’s emotional depth – like the graphics, it’s gorgeous. Additionally the background sound effects nicely complement the gameplay with its ambience and subtlety.
Final Thoughts?
In the end, Spirit of the North 2 successfully builds upon its predecessor, offering a more expansive world, deeper mechanics plus a richer narrative. With its visual beauty, atmospheric storytelling and engaging puzzles, this is a must play for fans of the original or for those looking for similar games such as Journey and Abzû, this mystical fox’s journey is one worth embarking on.
Key Features:
- Shape Your Legend – Personalize your fox and raven with unique appearance options.
- A World Like No Other – Powered by Unreal Engine 5, explore vivid, hand-crafted biomes from windswept tundras to enchanted ruins.
- Battle for the Spirit Realm – Cleanse the corrupted Guardians and restore harmony to the land.
- Unlock Forgotten Magic – Harness powerful abilities to overcome puzzles and enemies.
- Unearth Ancient Lore – Seek mystical runes and uncover the secrets buried deep in the snow and stone.
- An Evolving Soundscape – Experience an immersive soundtrack that shifts with your journey
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
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