Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter review

• Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and PC
• Released on 28 January 2025
• Developed by Odd Bug Studio

The original Tails of Iron charmed players back in 2021 with its dark fairy tale art style and punishing-but-rewarding combat. Now, Odd Bug Studio is back with a sequel, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, and it brings more of what fans loved, along with some welcome new features to freshen things up.

This time, the spotlight’s on Arlo, a brave young rat from the icy North. After a surprise attack by a vicious bat clan known as the Dark Wings leaves his kingdom in ruins and his father dead, Arlo decides to fight back. From here, you set out across the snowy region of Winter’s Edge, meeting allies, rebuilding your kingdom, and, ultimately, preparing to face the Dark Wings head-on.

Visually and structurally, things will feel familiar to anyone who played the first game. The gorgeous hand-drawn art returns, as does the deliberate, timing-based combat system. You’ll still be dodging red attacks, countering yellow ones, and managing your stamina carefully in tough battles. And once again, Geralt himself — Doug Cockle — returns to narrate the story in his signature gravelly tone.

But there are plenty of additions that help set Whiskers of Winter apart. A new grappling hook adds some verticality to the world, though sadly it can’t be used in combat. There’s also a weapon sharpening mechanic that gives your attacks a temporary damage boost, which is super handy in boss fights. But the real game-changer? Elemental magic.

Throughout your journey, Arlo can acquire spells based on fire, ice, lightning, and poison. These powers add a welcome layer of strategy, especially when used in combination with weapons that carry elemental effects. Exploring the world also lets you upgrade these abilities, giving you more tools to tailor your combat style and gear loadout.

The game’s new setting and characters make it approachable for newcomers, while a range of difficulty options means you don’t have to commit to a brutally tough experience unless you want to. Still, even on lower settings, some fights can be frustrating, especially when enemy attack indicators get a little hard to read. And if you die, you may find yourself respawning with an empty healing canister, requiring a quick search for resources before you’re back in fighting shape.

Despite the occasional frustration, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter is a strong follow-up that improves on the original in meaningful ways. Its world is richly drawn, its combat satisfying, and its upgrades and new mechanics add just enough spice to keep things interesting. Whether you’re returning from the first game or jumping in fresh, Arlo’s wintery tale is well worth playing.