Game: Beyond the Ice Palace 2
Genre: Action, Adventure, Platformer, Fighting
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam (Windows), PS4 & PS5 & Xbox)
Developer|Publisher: STORYBIRD STUDIO | PQube
Age Rating: EU 12+ | US Teen
Price: US $19.99 | UK 16.99 | EU €19,99
Release Date: March 11th, 2025
A review code was provided, and many thanks to Press Engine.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2: A Dormant IP Returns
Beyond the Ice Palace was an action platformer from the microcomputer era, a time when games were brutally tough and pixelated fantasy worlds ruled the industry. It’s not exactly a household name, and most players scrambling to find the original on the eShop will come up empty. Instead, we have Beyond the Ice Palace 2, a long-overdue sequel that takes cues from Castlevania while forging its own identity. The result? A game that’s intriguing, flawed, and definitely not for everyone. But for those who can embrace its quirks, there’s something special beneath its icy surface.
Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold
The game wastes no time summarizing the events of its predecessor. You, the hero, defeated the evil within the Ice Palace and returned home to be crowned king. But peace doesn’t last long; you’re suddenly struck by a cursed arrow, stripped of your powers, and left helpless as darkness spreads across the land once more. Fortunately, a group of survivors performs a ritual to restore some of your strength. Now, after breaking out of captivity, it’s time to reclaim your throne and exact a little frosty revenge.
The storytelling is efficient, delivering just enough context in a short but well-executed cutscene. It’s a nice touch for newcomers while also nodding to fans of the original. But once the exposition is done, the game wastes no time throwing you into the action.
A Weapon With Many Uses
At its core, Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a 2D action platformer with light RPG elements. Your weapon of choice is a pair of chained knives, evoking some serious God of War vibes. This isn’t just a tool for slashing through enemies; it also serves multiple functions, allowing you to swing from rings, pull open doors, and even strip shields from enemies.
The concept is solid, but execution is where things get tricky.
A Stiff Challenge and Stiff Controls
If there’s one thing that defines Beyond the Ice Palace 2, it’s its sluggish controls. Movement feels heavy, and platforming lacks the fluidity seen in modern games. It makes sense from a lore perspective; your character is still regaining strength, but it’s something players will need to adapt to. Combat is methodical rather than fast-paced, with a mix of standard attacks, a spinning move to deflect projectiles, and a stamina-based strong attack and dash.
On paper, this offers a decent combat system. In practice, it’s a mixed bag. Dashing to evade attacks doesn’t always register smoothly, and certain platforming mechanics, like swinging on rings or using a dash to gain extra height, feel awkward. There’s even an occasional glitch where jumping stops working until you leave and re-enter an area.
For those willing to stick with it, these quirks become manageable. But for players who demand precision and responsiveness, Beyond the Ice Palace 2 might test their patience.
Enemies, Upgrades, and a Brutal Difficulty Curve
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 isn’t just tough because of its controls; its enemy placement is downright cruel at times. Even basic foes pose a significant threat, and the game loves to position enemies just at the edge of platforms, making simple jumps a gamble. Expect plenty of moments where you take a hit and get knocked back into a pit.
To help even the odds, you can collect power crystals to upgrade your abilities, allowing for some customization. Coins found throughout the game can be spent at a vendor, mostly for more power crystals. But there’s a catch: if you die, all the currency you’ve gathered is gone. Combine that with a checkpoint system that can send you back quite a ways, and you have a game that embraces its old-school roots with a learn-through-failure approach.
This might be appealing to retro enthusiasts, but it’s sure to frustrate casual players.
A Dark and Beautiful World
Where Beyond the Ice Palace 2 truly shines is in its presentation. The pixel art is stunning, packed with detailed environments and fluid animations. The world exudes a grim, oppressive atmosphere, ruined catacombs, decaying castles, and a general sense of hopelessness. Even the protagonist reflects this bleak setting, clad in rags with ghostly blue skin. He’s not a triumphant hero charging into battle; he’s a weakened warrior clawing his way back to power.
While there’s no explicit gore, the game’s dark themes and haunting imagery make it clear this isn’t a lighthearted adventure.
Conclusion: A Unique Ice Sculpture
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is not an easy game to love. Its stiff controls and punishing level design will turn away many players. But for those willing to push through its flaws, it offers a rewarding, nostalgia-driven challenge. In many ways, it captures the essence of old-school action platformers, tough, cryptic, and requiring patience to master.
It’s not for everyone, but retro gaming fans may appreciate the icy gem buried beneath its rough exterior. I, for one, dug it.
Final Verdict: I Like It
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