Beyond The Ice Palace 2 Review

Fans of the 'Metroidvania' genre have been eating well over the past decade, with acclaimed titles revitalizing the scene. The Metroid series proved it's still going strong with the release of Metroid Dread in 2021, while industry icon Koji Igarashi delivered a spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Igarashi's return with a new franchise was already a huge moment—but how about a sequel to a classic computer game from the 80s, 37 years in the making?

Beyond The Ice Palace, a platformer-adventure game released in 1988, was originally available only on PC platforms like the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, and Atari ST. Now, after decades in obscurity, it's making a comeback. While Beyond the Ice Palace did not quite reach the heights of its contemporaries, such as Ghosts' n Goblins, it remains a solid retro platformer in its own right.

Its gameplay didn't reinvent the platforming genre, but with the DNA of a Capcom classic running through its veins, that's hardly a bad thing. A new Metroidvania arrives on the scene in the form of Beyond The Ice Palace 2, a direct sequel to the original game.

Beyond The Ice Palace 2 features a dramatic overhaul in presentation compared to its predecessor, and not just for obvious reasons like releasing on newer hardware. Castlevania fans are going to have a field day with this one. It is quite evident from the first few moments of my time spent in Beyond The Ice Palace 2 that it is a loving tribute to the action-adventure titles of yesteryear. I felt like this was an actual title that could have existed on the SNES or PS1.

The premise is simple, you are the chosen king of the land who was shot by a sacred arrow, granting you all sorts of powers. Suddenly, your whole kingdom has been pulled from beneath your feet, and you set forth to embark on a quest to reclaim your kingdom.

Our afflicted hero begins his journey chained in a crypt illuminated by various shades of blue, and it is hauntingly beautiful. It evokes the same feeling as the ice cave in Donkey Kong Country. The accompanying composition compliments the scene further with an eerie tone that is sure to send shivers down your spine. This is not your grandpa's Beyond The Ice Palace, that's certain.

The crypt does an excellent job of acclimating new players to the mechanics, with button prompts aplenty. From your first chain swing to grappling on to hooks, it is quite evident that Beyond The Ice Palace 2 plays just like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and there is no bigger compliment. The gameplay feels a bit stiff initially, but eventually, you will get used to it.

Like Symphony and many Castlevania titles before it, the combat aims for simplicity over complex combos. Difficulty ranges from enemies made for cannon fodder to downright brutal. Certain boss battles you will encounter later should have been reserved for the earlier areas, as the difficulty isn't always consistent.

Small enemies you defeat need to be finished off with an execution move, which looks cool the first few times but quickly becomes tiresome to perform. It breaks the pacing of the game rather than enhancing it. Developer STORYBIRD would do well to shorten the execution animations by several frames to keep the action going.

That applies to the dodge mechanic as well. It took the king several moments to recover from an air dodge to the ground that broke my immersion a bit. It's a slight inconvenience rather than a game-breaking nuisance. The monsters of Beyond The Ice Palace 2 are classic fare in a medieval gothic world such as this. Skeletons, dragons, and giant-sized bugs, oh my! The high-definition pixel art brings this entire world to life.

There were several moments that left my jaw on the floor with pure joy, marveling at the art direction. Dimly lit caves highlight the world's beauty, as the king's body is partially illuminated on one side while the other fades into shadow. As I have previously mentioned, the graphics range from a late-life SNES title to 2D-pixel titles that were seen on the PS1, like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

As you explore this ruined world, stop and smell the metaphorical roses (or brimstone) and really take in the scenery, as this is easily one of the most gorgeous 2D retro-inspired titles in recent memory. One of the elements that stood out in the first game was its outstanding soundtrack, even on ancient PC hardware. In the spirit of its predecessor, Beyond The Ice Palace 2 features a stunning atmospheric soundtrack that brings you mentally into that space. It is best experienced with headphones.

As previously mentioned, areas such as the crypt and the church are laden with ghastly tunes that encapsulate the foreboding atmosphere. As you trek across the murky swamps filled with fungi and bugs, let the accompanying score wash over you in the misty expanse. The soundtrack featured in Beyond The Ice Palace 2 is a spectral masterpiece that knows how to set the mood for such a desolate world shrouded in darkness and wonder.

The audio design is also top-notch. Each swing of your chain is so satisfying as you hear metal and skeleton bones clash in a satisfying crunch sure to please the senses. Projectiles make their way down to the ground in an epic explosion, followed by heavy thuds that are brought alive with headphones. The only gripe in the audio department is sections with fireballs, where their crackles can be disruptive, as they feature unwanted static. Every hook that's chained, an enemy that cries out, or projectile spewed sounds satisfying and greatly enhances the overall experience.

As most elements of Beyond, The Ice Palace II feature those seen in past Castlevania titles, the level design is no different. Certain sections feature those infamous diagonal staircases that would make Simon Belmont cry out in agony. Luckily for the king, there are no signs of flying Medusa heads to knock him off his game. While it is apparent that the level design is strikingly similar to Castlevania, this only served to enhance my enjoyment factor, as developer STORYBIRD clearly knows their target audience.

Several sections will test your platforming prowess, especially as you gain access to new abilities. In typical Metroidvania fashion, you are teased with several areas that are inaccessible until you backtrack later with a particular ability. I mentioned that movement felt a bit stiff initially, but this is where those new abilities shake things up. For the sake of exploration and spoilers, no new abilities will be mentioned here, but if one critique you have is restricted movement, press on.

Beyond The Ice Palace 2 begs you to come back to find crystals in previously unobtainable areas, as you will certainly need all the upgrades you can get. Crystals can be traded in for upgrades for attributes such as increased health, stamina, and many other staples of any action-adventure game skill tree. The more areas you explore and the more treasure you find, the more fun you will have in this world, guaranteed.

Boss fights are decently fair in this game; however, if you are getting creamed over and over again, this is where backtracking for loot comes in to fortify yourself against the nasties. STORYBIRD has done their homework, and the developers behind the game are clearly fans of the genre. If you have played your fair share of 2D action-adventure games, you will not find yourself struggling to navigate each area.

If Beyond The Ice Palace 2 had been released back 20+ years ago, I firmly believe this game would be recognized as one of the greats of this genre or possibly a hidden gem in the spirit of games such as Demon's Quest for SNES. With stunning pixel art, excellent audio and level design, and a clear love for the classics that came before it, Beyond The Ice Palace 2 is worth every penny.

At $19.99 and 8+ hours of gameplay, you are getting your money's worth here. Don't let this one fly under the radar. Beyond The Ice Palace 2 is also newcomer-friendly, as the gap in years between releases for both games is so large, and the original title is not currently accessible on modern hardware. The 37-year wait for this title should be worth it for any fans of the original who still game to this day. Hardcore Metroidvania fans will want to sink their teeth into this one as well.

This might be one of the most unexpected indie game announcements in recent memory, as this sequel is vastly different from the original in almost every way. Any gripe I've had so far feels like something that could easily be addressed in a future patch. Beyond The Ice Palace 2 exceeds expectations as a follow-up to a forgotten gem from gaming's silver age. Set forth on a quest to reclaim your throne from the ghoulish fiends that await in Beyond The Ice Palace 2.