Blackguards 2 is a turn-based tactical role-playing game that takes place three years after the original. Cassia of Tenos was the consort of Marwan, the First Kyrios of Mengbilla, until one day she was snatched from her bed and thrown to rot in the catacombs beneath the capital's arena. Frightened and clueless as to why she is deprived of her freedom, she soon finds out that the underground is a dangerous place, inhabited by venomous spiders and who knows what other manner of creatures. Her only companion is "The Good Ruler", a book on governing, which after countless reads has triggered a spark inside Cassia--she decided that she wants to rule, to see everyone bow before her, even if it's just for one day.
The game is based on the pen-and-paper role-playing game The Dark Eye , and borrows a lot of mechanics and the setting from it. The player joins Cassia as she escapes from her prison and tries to conquer the Emirate of Mengbilla. The gameplay is almost identical to the original Blackguards in terms of graphics and gameplay, with more significant changes to the skill tree and level progression. The focus turns to a wide array of special abilities, and a four-tier system for weapon talents, talents, and spells.
The world map plays as a sort of Risk -like board game, in which Cassia needs to take over different towns and points of interest. Conquering a specific location will give the player certain bonuses and possibly new types of mercenary units. After a few victories, the enemy will launch a counterattack which, if not defeated, will lead to losing the location and all of its attached bonuses.
The battles that take place on hex maps remain the core of the game. They are usually triggered via the world map, however there are some tied directly to the story as well. In all hex battles the player can employ different tactics using the heroes' individual abilities, spells, and the surroundings, including traps, difficult terrain, and wildlife. The gameplay involves employing different tactics, using mercenaries in battles, and managing initiative to determine when a participant's turn comes during a round. Winning a battle rewards the player with adventure points (AP) and loot. The former can be used later to improve the individual stats of Cassia and her three companions.
Between fights the party can travel to any of the towns under their control or set up camp in the wild. The towns are a good source of information and rare items. Basic equipment can be found in the camp, along with certain characters who provide knowledge on maneuvers or abilities.
Cassia can talk to other characters to learn something about their past or improve the bond between them. To the back of the camp there's an area with cages where prisoners are held and can be interrogated using multiple dialogue options. The outcome of such interrogations as well as other decisions the player has to take may change how certain battles play out and how people will view Cassia as she takes over the emirate.
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