Last year after a jaunt with Early Access, Defiant Development released its hit title Hand of Fate. We here at Marooners’ Rock absolutely love it, as seen in Andrew’s review last February. One of the only major downsides was the deck ran just a little short, as we wished there was just a little bit more to it. Well, it would appear as if fate has dealt us another hand, as Hand of Fate 2 was just announced!
Due to release on Windows, Mac and Linux in Q1 2017, Hand of Fate 2 picks up after the first game. With new cards and newly added companions, you must work with the dealer, whom you defeated at the end of the first one, and train to beat…yourself. Sort of. After you beat the first Hand of Fate, the protagonist, you, takes control of the world and outlaws all magic to maintain his rule. 100 years later, the new you appears, and you are put up to the task to beat the old you. To do so, you’ll need new gear.
Major upgrades have been made to the equipment structure in HoF2, including the addition of two-handed and dual-wielding weapons. Plus new cards have been added to the deck to keep you on your toes. For example, now you can’t just reach the end of the board and progress. Specific feats must be completed, including but not limited to saving 300 gold before progressing, surviving a 10-level descent, or even protecting a VIP from an endless wave of soldiers for a certain amount of time.
The previously mentioned allies are earned throughout play. They can offer support, allow you to pick exclusive options in the RPG section, and plus they have their own storyline! One of the new companions is Malaclypse, a mage who has disguised himself as a simple bard to protect himself from the Empire due to the magic ban. He provides ranged attacks and will shield the player, plus in the RPG/Board Game portion, he allows rerolls in certain segments.
New enemies are also in store to keep you from winning in the end. Enter the steel suit and the blight suit, which comprise of Imperial forces and corrupted and mutated men, respectively.
“Hand of Fate demanded players prepare themselves for any possible outcome with each overturned card,” said Morgan Jaffit, director at Defiant Development. “With the new mechanics we’ve added into Hand of Fate 2, even players who mastered the first game will once again be challenged by the luck of the draw.”
Be on the look out for more information on Hand of Fate 2 later this year, and get read to have dinner with lady luck in the first part of next year.
