Spirit of the North 2 (2025)

I cannot stress enough just how much I enjoy Spirit of the North 2. It takes the all the strongest elements of the first game and builds upon them, while simultaneously eliminating the aspects that didn’t work as well before. It’s not without its share of flaws, but those are easily overlooked in favor the remarkable, wondrous adventure that lies before you.

In the end, Spirit of the North 2 successfully builds upon its predecessor, offering a more expansive world, deeper mechanics plus a richer narrative. With its visual beauty, atmospheric storytelling and engaging puzzles, this is a must play for fans of the original or for those looking for similar games such as Journey and Abzû, this mystical fox's journey is one worth embarking on.

For fans of the original, Spirit of the North 2 is a meaningful continuation. It respects the meditative tone of the first game while broadening its horizons with smarter mechanics, better pacing, and a more expansive world. This sequel doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it refines almost every part of what made the original special. It’s still more about reflection than action, more about feeling than plot—but with more tools, more challenges, and more world to lose yourself in. Ultimately, Spirit of the North 2 is a thoughtful evolution of a niche experience. It may stumble at times, but its beauty, ambition, and spirit are undeniable. This is a game that asks you to slow down, to observe, and to immerse yourself in a place where nature and magic intertwine.

As a fan of foxes, I couldn't wait for the release of Spirit of the North 2. So it pains me all the more that it's one of the biggest disappointments of this year. It's a game that's just bad, and what's worse, it's becoming more and more difficult to bear with each passing hour. It's a production that's poorly optimized, unstable and full of ill-conceived or non-functioning mechanics. The first installment may not have been perfect, but it had its own identity and a clearly defined vision. The same cannot be said of the sequel.

Spirit of the North 2 tried to innovate, it tried to expand, it tried to "raise the bar", but what it didn't do was become a better, more attractive game. Despite having good puzzle ideas and implementing interesting battles, these pillars alone don't support a product that fails in practically everything it does. Its gigantic, empty map and the questionable quality of its elements make it clear that the game needed more polish, and unfortunately the developers didn't see it in time.