| Beyond the Ice Palace 2 | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 revives the gothic legend of the Cursed King, bringing the classic platformer into a new era. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Review Overview
What is Beyond the Ice Palace 2?
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is an action Metroidvania developed by STORYBIRD Studio and published by PQube and PixelHeart. Launching on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, the game serves as a modern revival of the original Beyond the Ice Palace, a Commodore 64 title released over 35 years ago.
Players take on the role of the Cursed King, utilizing the chains that once bound them to navigate the remnants of a fallen kingdom. The game features exploration, strategic progression, and combat against a variety of enemies and formidable bosses. Hidden areas and upgrades encourage deeper exploration as players work to reclaim their throne.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 features:
⚫︎ A Sequel 30 Years in the Making
⚫︎ Retro Pixel Art Style
⚫︎ Metroidvania
⚫︎ Action Adventure
⚫︎ Puzzle Segments
⚫︎ Hidden Levels
⚫︎ Dark Fantasy Story
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Beyond the Ice Palace 2's gameplay and story.
 Steam |
 Epic |
 PlayStation |
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 Switch |
 Xbox |
 GoG |
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| Price | Wishlist ($19.99) |
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Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Beautiful Pixel Art Style Great Platforming Segments and Level Design Challenging but Fun Boss Battles |
Movement and Controls can Feel Clunky at Times No Run Button |
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Overall Score - 72/100
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is the sequel no one saw coming—35 years lost in the frost, only to emerge with a crown of nostalgia and a heart of ice. At times, it feels like it never thawed from the '80s, with stiff controls and a protagonist who trudges like he’s wading through a snowstorm. But beneath the frostbitten mechanics lies a game that fuses classic gothic charm with modern flourishes, delivering slick chain combat and rewarding exploration.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Story - 6/10
The hero-turned-king was struck by a cursed sacred arrow, bound in chains, and sealed away. Without its protector, the kingdom fell to ruin, overrun by a demonic army led by the king’s own treacherous advisors, the Pages. Now awakened, it's time for revenge—a thrilling crusade to reclaim the throne. Watching your enemies fall is undeniably satisfying, but the journey feels hollow at times. The protagonist lacks any real personality, and the lore, scattered in fragments, never fully grips you. It’s a fun tale of vengeance, but one that never quite reaches its full potential.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Gameplay - 8/10
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a solid Metroidvania with a combat system that truly shines—especially the chain mechanic, which doubles as both a weapon and a tool for exploration. Swinging through hidden levels, solving light puzzles, and uncovering secret areas makes for an engaging and rewarding journey. The boss battles? Tough but satisfying. However, the experience is held back by clunky controls that don’t always register inputs properly and a protagonist who moves at a frustratingly slow pace.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Visuals - 8/10
The visuals in Beyond the Ice Palace 2 carry a strong Castlevania vibe, drenched in dark fantasy aesthetics. The pixel art is stunning, bringing the gothic world to life with fluid animations and a rich atmosphere. But it’s not all gloom and doom—the game surprises with a vast, varied world, shifting from the eerie halls of the Ice Palace to towering mountain peaks. The bosses are just as unique as the landscapes, each adding to the game’s haunting yet mesmerizing charm.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Audio - 7/10
The game’s symphonic, haunting soundtrack sets the perfect eerie tone, though it can get a bit repetitive when the same notes keep looping. Still, it does a great job of pulling you into the dark fantasy atmosphere. The sound design shines, especially the satisfying clang of the chains as you whip, swing, and attack. There’s no voice acting, but honestly, with such minimal narrative, it’s not really missed.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Value for Money - 7/10
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a solid pick for Metroidvania fans, especially those who loved the original. At $19.99, it offers a good amount of gameplay to sink your teeth into. However, while it’s enjoyable, it doesn’t particularly stand out from the crowd, and the clunky movement might be a dealbreaker for some. If you can overlook its rough edges, though, there’s plenty of adventure to be had.
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Review: A Flawed Yet Welcome Revival
I stepped into Beyond the Ice Palace 2 with no baggage—no nostalgia, no expectations, not even a clue that the original existed. A quick dive into its history left me puzzled. How did a forgotten relic, neither a classic nor a cult favorite, earn a sequel after 35 years? But once I played its sequel, the answer became clear—Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a flawed yet undeniably fun Metroidvania that carves its own icy path.
Amazing Gothic Dark Fantasy Aesthetic
Let’s start with how stunning this game looks. Beyond the Ice Palace 2 fully embraces a gothic Castlevania-esque aesthetic, dripping with dark fantasy and eerie atmosphere. From the opening scene—where the Cursed King is chained before monstrous statues—you can feel the weight of a world that crumbled in his absence. It’s got that Berserk level of darkness, where every ruined landscape tells a story of a kingdom that fell apart without its protector.
I love that you’re not just confined to a castle; you actually roam your shattered realm, piecing together its tragic past through environmental storytelling. And the bosses? The Four Pages—once your loyal followers, now twisted betrayers—exude pure menace, their demonic designs straight out of Berserk’s Apostle nightmares. Meanwhile, the Four Guardians, who remained loyal, look just as incredible. My favorite? The Page of Mount Celeste—wicked, monstrous, and absolutely haunting.
The Ruined Kingdom is an Absolute Blast to Explore!
The kingdom may be in ruins, but wow—it's an absolute joy to explore. Jokes aside, a Metroidvania lives and dies by its world design, and Beyond the Ice Palace 2 nails it. Every hidden nook, secret passage, and shortcut adds to the thrill of discovery, making exploration feel truly rewarding.
What really elevates it is the chain—your all-in-one weapon, tool, and traversal device. It’s not just for combat; it’s your key to breaking doors, flipping secret levers, and even swinging across gaps. This adds a light puzzle-solving element that keeps movement fresh, like pulling a gate switch and racing through before it slams shut.
It never feels tedious because the platforming is tight, and honestly, I love the combat. Smacking enemies with the chain is satisfying, and collecting power-ups keeps things engaging. That said, enemy variety could be better, and health management is crucial—these foes hit hard, and resources aren’t always easy to come by.
Great Chain Combat but Clunky Controls
The platforming is tight, the combat is satisfying, and swinging that chain never gets old. Smacking enemies feels great, and power-ups keep things fresh. I especially love the variety in attacks—countering with a spinning chain, pulling off swinging dashes, and even executing certain enemies like skeletons to keep them from reviving. It adds a strategic layer that keeps fights engaging.
That said, the controls can be frustrating as hell at times. Platforming, especially in tight spaces, can feel clunky, and don’t even get me started on the stairs. You have to hold the direction to climb, and half the time, it doesn’t register, so you end up walking through them instead of going up. Eventually, I just started jumping onto stairs to avoid the hassle. Even simple movements, like dropping down from ledges, sometimes fail to register, leading to cheap deaths. It’s one of those things I wish they had smoothed out.
But despite the occasional input struggles, combat remains a blast. Unlocking upgrades like the double jump makes movement much smoother, and collecting power crystals adds depth to progression. At the end of the day, chaining enemies into oblivion is just too fun to stay mad at the janky controls for long.
The Cursed King is Cursed with Slow Walking Animation
The Cursed King must’ve been cursed with glacial movement because this guy walks like he’s wading through knee-deep snow. I get that it’s called Ice Palace, but come on—would it kill him to pick up the pace? Sure, upgrades like the wings and chain-pull help later, but dying and then trudging all the way back to your last save point? Painful.
A dedicated run button would’ve completely fixed this. In a Metroidvania, movement is everything—you’re constantly exploring, backtracking, and chasing curiosity. But when curiosity is met with a snail’s pace, it starts to wither.
Intense High Octane Boss Battles
The boss battles in this game are phenomenal—not just in execution, but in how they’re introduced. There’s a real sense of mystery before each fight, making you wonder what exactly you’re up against. And when it comes to the Four Pages? They’re absolute menaces, each with their own unique combat style that keeps you on your toes.
These fights are tough but rewarding. Button-mashing won’t cut it—you have to learn their patterns. One boss barrels toward you like an unstoppable force, while another hovers and snipes from a distance. Each encounter feels distinct, forcing you to adapt and strategize. Expect to die a lot, but every hard-fought victory brings a massive sense of accomplishment.
Is Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Worth It?
Definitely for Metroidvania Fans
Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a solid pick for Metroidvania fans, offering plenty to love—especially with its rewarding exploration and creative chain mechanics. Newcomers can still have fun, but it’s not necessarily a must-buy due to some noticeable flaws. That said, it’s a strong revival of a long-lost series, and I’d love to see it get a sequel.
| Steam |
Epic |
PlayStation |
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| Switch |
Xbox |
GoG |
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| Price | Wishlist ($19.99) |
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Beyond the Ice Palace 2 FAQ
Who are the Four Guardians in Beyond the Ice Palace 2?
⚫︎ Guardian of the Capital
⚫︎ Guardian of the Swamp
⚫︎ Guardian of the Mount Celeste
⚫︎ Guardian of the Ice Palace
Who are the Four Pages in Beyond the Ice Palace 2?
⚫︎ Page of the Capital
⚫︎ Page of the Swamp
⚫︎ Page of Mount Celese
⚫︎ Page of the Ice Palace
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Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Product Information
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| Title | Beyond the Ice Palace 2 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | March 10, 2025 (PC) March 11, 2025 (Consoles) |
| Developer | STORYBIRD Studio |
| Publisher | PQube, PixelHeart |
| Supported Platforms | PS5, PS5, Switch, PC, Xbox Series XIS, Xbox One |
| Genre | Metroidvania, Action |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | T |
| Official Website | Beyond the Ice Palace 2 Website |
