Role-Playing Games of the 2010s, Part 1 Codexery

Blackguards 2

A tactical RPG about escaping prison to claim a throne.

Blackguards 2

Blackguards 2 is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment for Microsoft Windows and OS X in January 2015. It is the sequel to 2014's The Dark Eye: Blackguards and was later ported to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game follows Cassia, a noblewoman who seeks to claim the Shark Throne by breaking out of prison and overthrowing the current ruler, Marwan.

Quick Facts

Developer
Daedalic Entertainment
Composer
Peter Connelly
Series
The Dark Eye
Released
Microsoft Windows, OS X · January 20, 2015 · Playstation 4, Xbox One · September 12, 2017 · Nintendo Switch · June 15, 2022
Genre
Turn-based tactics, tactical role-playing
Modes
Single-player
Platforms
Microsoft Windows / OS X / PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / Nintendo Switch

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

Three years after Count Uria's plots, the Vanquishers of the Nine Hordes have parted ways, but life in Aventuria continues. Cassia, a young noblewoman, is determined to claim the Shark Throne at any cost, even if only for a day. However, she is imprisoned in a dungeon, and Marwan already sits on the throne. Lacking diplomatic or political skill, she chooses a practical approach: escape prison, recruit an army of sellswords, and rally the Vanquishers of the Nine Hordes to overthrow Marwan. The game questions how cunning one must be to escape the dungeon and how reckless to command the realm's worst scum.

Reader's Guide

Blackguards 2 received average reviews from professional critics upon release, with a Metacritic score of 74/100 for the PC version. IGN rated it 7.8 out of 10, noting that it improved on its predecessor by allowing players to spend less time confused about details and more time fighting. The game's turn-based battles take place on hexagonally gridded fields, where units can topple stacked boxes, activate traps, cast spells, and drop chandeliers on enemies. Allies encountered during the story have skill trees and can be equipped with weapons or gear. Its legacy lies in refining the tactical RPG formula of the original Blackguards, offering a more streamlined combat experience while maintaining the dark fantasy setting of Aventuria.

Did You Know?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Blackguards 2?

Blackguards 2 is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment, released on January 20, 2015 for PC as a sequel to The Dark Eye: Blackguards. It centers on a noblewoman's campaign to break out of prison and seize the Shark Throne from the sitting ruler, Marwan.

Who is the main character in Blackguards 2?

The player follows Cassia, a noblewoman whose entire arc revolves around escaping captivity and dethroning Marwan so she can claim the Shark Throne for herself.

What platforms is Blackguards 2 available on?

The title launched on Microsoft Windows and OS X in January 2015, expanded to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in September 2017, and finally arrived on Nintendo Switch in June 2022.

Who made Blackguards 2?

Daedalic Entertainment served as both the developer and the publisher, meaning the game was produced and distributed entirely in-house without an external studio or distribution partner.

What is the core premise of Blackguards 2's story?

Cassia starts as a prisoner and must fight her way to freedom, then build a path to power by overthrowing the current ruler, Marwan, in order to sit on the Shark Throne. The narrative is structured around her single-protagonist climb from captive to sovereign.

More in Role-Playing Games of the 2010s, Part 1 1-24

Spotted an error? Know more?

Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced

Comments

Loading…
Open in the interactive codex →