Zero Punctuation Season 11 Episode 49 Hand of Fate 2

In the latest episode of Zero Punctuation, host Yahtzee Croshaw reviews Hand of Fate 2, a sequel to the original Hand of Fate. In this game, players take on the role of a hero competing in a tabletop game against the mysterious Dealer. The Dealer uses a deck of cards to dictate the hero's fate, from which encounters they'll face to which powers they'll gain.

Yahtzee praises the game's improved graphics, which now includes fully animated 3D combat and cutscenes. However, he notes that the visuals sometimes hinder gameplay, as the game's overhead view can obscure some enemies or traps. Yahtzee also mentions that Hand of Fate 2 includes more complex systems, such as dice rolls and choosing which cards to keep in one's deck. These additional mechanics can make the game difficult to understand at first, but Yahtzee applauds the game's tutorial mission for easing players into the game's mechanics.

The crux of Yahtzee's review of Hand of Fate 2 is that it feels like a game of two halves. On the one hand, the game's combat is more fluid and dynamic than its predecessor. Yahtzee enjoys the way the hero can move around enemies and pull off combo moves to take them out. He also likes the Boss Rush mode, which pits the hero against several bosses in a row. On the other hand, Yahtzee finds that the game's card-based elements fall somewhat flat. Despite the game's attempts to add more variety to its card encounters, Yahtzee notes that they often boil down to simple dice rolls or skill checks. Additionally, the game's replayability suffers from a lack of variety in encounters; once players have seen most of the game's card types a few times, they'll start to feel repetitive.

Yahtzee notes that Hand of Fate 2 is a game best suited for those who enjoyed the original game but wanted something more fleshed out. However, he also mentions that the game might not appeal to those who disliked the original's card-based mechanics. He ultimately concludes that Hand of Fate 2 is a fun game that offers plenty of replay value for those who enjoy its unique blend of tabletop and video game elements.