Hand of Fate 2
{{Infobox video game
| title = Hand of Fate 2
| image = Hand of Fate 2 cover.jpg
| alt =
| developer = Defiant Development
| publisher = Defiant Development
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| composer =
| series =
| engine = Unity{{cite web|url=https://blog.unity.com/technology/staff-made-with-unity-favorites-from-2017|title=Staff Made With Unity favorites from 2017|author=|work=Unity Technologies|date=2017-11-29|accessdate=2023-12-23}}
| platforms = {{plainlist|
}}
| released = {{plainlist|
- Lin, Mac, Win, PS4 {{vgrelease|WW|November 7, 2017}}
- Xbox One {{vgrelease|WW|December 1, 2017}}
- Switch {{vgrelease|WW|July 17, 2018}}
}}
| genre = Action role-playing, deck-building
| modes = Single-player
}}
Hand of Fate 2 is a 2017 video game developed and published by Defiant Development. It combines action role-playing games with deck-building video games. It is the sequel to Hand of Fate.
Gameplay
Players progress through an overworld consisting of twenty-two levels, each of which has different goals. Each level must be cleared by facing challenges posed by cards dealt by the Dealer, a mysterious antagonist. Players also have their own deck of cards, as in deck-building games. Players can augment their decks with recruited companions, each of whom has their own story and associated quests. When cards indicate combat, players engage in third-person action sequences, as in action role-playing games. If players die, they must start the level over from the beginning.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hand-of-fate-2-review/|title=Hand of Fate 2 review|last=Watson|first=Eric|work=PC Gamer|date=2017-11-07|accessdate=2023-12-23}}
Development
Defiant Development released it for Linux, macOS, Windows, and PlayStation 4 on November 7, 2017; for Xbox One on December 1, 2017; and for Switch on July 17, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamepressure.com/games/hand-of-fate-2/z44736|title=Hand of Fate 2|work=Gamepressure|accessdate=2023-12-23}}
Reception
Hand of Fate 2 received positive reviews on Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/hand-of-fate-2/|title=Hand of Fate 2|work=Metacritic|accessdate=2023-12-23}} Although PC Gamer felt the combat was weak and repetitive, they said the strategic elements and storytelling make up for it. IGN called it a major improvement over Hand of Fate and praised the added depth, though they said it can still be repetitive.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/11/08/hand-of-fate-2-review|title=Hand of Fate 2 Review|last=Johnson|first=Leif|work=IGN|date=2022-03-02|orig-date=2017-11-07|accessdate=2023-12-23}} GameSpot said it is "a realization of the first game's promise" and praised the combination of genres. However, they said some quests rely too much on luck, and dying during a quest can be frustrating.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/hand-of-fate-2-review/1900-6416814/|title=Hand Of Fate 2 Review|last=O'Connor|first=James|work=GameSpot|date=2017-11-15|accessdate=2023-12-23}} Game Informer said the combat is "often boring or laborious", but they called the gameplay otherwise "fantastic and unique".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/hand_of_fate_2/b/pc/archive/2017/11/13/cutting-the-weak-cards-out-of-the-deck.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117004419/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/hand_of_fate_2/b/pc/archive/2017/11/13/cutting-the-weak-cards-out-of-the-deck.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=November 17, 2017|title=Hand of Fate 2 Review|last=Tack|first=Daniel|magazine=Game Informer|date=2017-11-13|access-date=2023-12-23}} Rock Paper Shotgun said it has more variety than Hand of Fate, but they said they missed that game's larger role for the Dealer.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/hand-of-fate-review-pc|title=Wot I Think: Hand Of Fate 2|last=Meer|first=Alec|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=2017-11-06|accessdate=2023-12-23}}