With a review score of 9.5, it’s obvious that Tails of Iron was one of my favourite games from 2021. Looking back, did I have rat-tinted glasses on? Maybe. But I tell you what, I don’t regret a thing – Odd Bug Studio’s 2D Soulslike was a great time, so much so that I eventually got the Platinum trophy for it, a feat that is very rare for me. Last year I went paws-on with Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, and while it was only a taste of what was to come, it was clear that Odd Bug had tweaked some areas and expanded on others, which left me very excited. As we lead up to the game’s January 28 release, I’ve been able to play a handful of missions, giving me a better look at what has changed and leaving me just as excited.
Set after the events of the first game, Whiskers of Winter follows a young rat named Arlo who ascends the throne as Warden of the Wastes after his father is killed by a group of evil bats known as the Dark Wings. The Dark Wings leave Winter’s Edge (Arlo’s home) in a state of destruction, and to execute his revenge plan, Arlo will first need to rebuild the village, where we find ourselves in the preview after playing through the game’s prologue. This preview took me to The Golden Forest in Nestminister, home of the Owls, with its warm auburn colours instilling a sense of calm before the storm as the preview eventually took me to The Rift, home of the Frogs.
As with the first game, players will need to manage their inventory, as every weapon and piece of gear has different stats, such as damage, weight and elemental perks like electricity or poison. Likewise, checking your bestiary will highlight an enemy’s strengths and weaknesses, contextualising the weapon perks and enabling you to equip yourself for the challenges to come. Where combat has been enhanced is through the addition of magical spells that Arlo can use as a weapon. In the preview I got to see two in action – fire and ice, both of which add another layer to the combat.
While a lot of the gameplay loop hasn’t changed much, there are some tweaks. One feature that has been scaled back is that Arlo is no longer required to frequently sharpen his weapon in order to deal damage. Instead, Arlo can find sharpening stones in the world and these are a one-time use item that will give damage a buff until it runs out. This mechanic was present in the initial demo that we previewed, and the feedback that players gave Odd Bug was that it was frustrating and a bit tedious, so it’s great to see the studio listening and acting on this to improve the game.
Nestminister is gorgeous
Like any Soulslike game, combat is a core part of the experience, and Tails of Iron has enough of a challenge to satisfy genre fans while appealing to those looking for a good time but not a frustrating time. This time around the game features adjustable difficulty options that make the entire experience more approachable than the first.
One of the things I loved about Tails of Iron was the combination of its anthropomorphic characters that reminded me of Redwall and its charming medieval storybook art style. Both of these elements are on full display in Whiskers of Winter, and I cannot stress enough how gorgeous the artwork is – it’s simply beautiful. What excites me about Whiskers of Winter is the expansion of the lore of the Tails of Iron universe and seeing more animals, such as badgers and herons, a part of the world that is equally endearing as it is dark and grim.
Rick ’em, rack ’em, rock ’em, rake Stick that sword into that snake
Honestly, January 28 cannot come quick enough for me – I’m in love with what Odd Bug Studio has created and expanded upon and can’t wait to explore the Lands of the North. And of course, who can say no to a fairy tale of sorts being narrated by the gravelly voice of Geralt of Rivia (Doug Cockle)?
Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter launches on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on January 28.
