I was really excited to see this week’s game in the NExtfest queue for demos because I really enjoyed the first game and was anticipating the newest installment. Six years later I can play the demo and I was still pretty excited about it and it paid off. This week is the Wizard of Legend 2 demo.

Wizard of Legend 2 is a Roguelike from Contingent99 and Humble Games. The game is going to be released for the PC sometime, who knows.

This time around, Wizard of Legend 2 delves more into the overarching theme of the actual trial of becoming the Wizard of Legend. The demo explains that there is now a school or something dedicated to finding just that person, THE WIZARD OF LEGEND. The Floating Islands are a collection of trials created by The Wizard Supreme, Hieronymus who will do anything to find that one wizard.

The story is just a backdrop to the gameplay which is the bulk of the demo. I think it is safe to say that if you played Hades, then you will start off WoL2 in familiar territory. The game maintains the three abilities: Basic, dash, and special. These abilities can be from one of the five elements: Earth, wind, fire, lightening and water and they have various spells in those ability slots. It looks like each element has its own special that is accrued when damaging and defeating baddies.

You can buy ability upgrades and equip new ones with the money you receive in shops or scattered around the map. You are also given a roguelike upgrade upon exiting each level.

Roguelike stuff for a roguelike game.

Each area is broken up into sub-sections that end with a boss fight that I don’t think I ever got to because the game is actually so difficult. Enemies hit really hard and it feels like the player hits with a pillow. Each ability that isn’t the primary has a set cooldown time so it is imperative to still maintain a mental note of your skills and their cooldowns. Each hit charges up a meter eventually allowing you to perform a special, more damaging super ability. It is, again, fun to watch and it can turn the tide of some battle which is welcome again in an incredibly unforgiving game.

Health and other consumables are borderline nowhere to be found and it was like that in the first game sometimes it is frustrating but it feels more rewarding when you have a flawless run.

There are a ton of enemies to combat and for the most part, each enemy requires different strategies. Once you die you are given a Rogue Legacy kind of selection where you are given three new characters with different abilities that will influence your next run.

Wizard of Legend 2 has an eerily similar look to the original Hades, with the isometric view, the animations and dialog boxes, and art. Everything else though ties the game together really nicely so far. The demo section of levels are nice and vibrant woodlands and the university where everything else goes on is ornate and absolutely stunning.

The music so far matches the biome really well. In the woodland area, you have big drums beating back the melody and it makes the combat really bop.

Wizard of Legend 2 so far is still the same old game with updated visuals and a more cohesive plot and a lackluster combat system. I like the new isometric view as you can see more of the battlefield than the previous game. The combat is so much more than what is used to be. It is more flashy and has a more satisfying feel to it. Keeping cooldowns in check and maintaining health still makes all the difference. Wizard of Legend 2 is a difficult but fun game. You are required to dash and play properly and if you cannot then you will suffer for it.

Wizard of Legend 2’s demo has some issues, but it is fun  and I am awaiting its release