There’s something timeless about slipping into the paws of a lone fox, feeling the wind ripple through distant mountains and seeing ancient ruins flicker under soft auroras. That was the magic that hooked me years ago with “Spirit of the North,” and diving into its sequel, “Spirit of the North 2,” felt like stepping back into a familiar dream, only this time, the dream is bigger, deeper, and a touch more ambitious. Right away, the world calls to me. The team at Infuse Studio clearly poured their hearts into crafting a realm that hums with forgotten history. Vast landscapes stretch out in every direction, and whether I’m bounding through moss-laden forests, scaling frozen peaks, or padding cautiously into crypts long lost to memory, there’s always a sense of wonder tugging at me. The environments aren’t just backdrops, they’re silent storytellers, whispering tales of ancient guardians and broken legacies. My raven companion, wise and enigmatic, is a perfect contrast to my fox’s quiet determination, and together, we wander in search of those legendary beings trapped under the dark shaman Grimnir’s spell.
I found myself repeatedly pausing just to soak in the atmosphere. The shimmering runes tucked away in hidden corners and the subtle music swelling at just the right moment kept me immersed. Even as the world expands and the scale increases from the first game, that signature tranquility, the thing that made the original so beloved is still intact. It’s meditative, a quiet adventure that encourages patience and curiosity rather than breakneck pace. But as much as I reveled in exploration, cracks did start to show. The customization options for my fox were a lovely touch, and tailoring abilities through runes felt like a natural evolution for the series. Yet sometimes, these systems seemed to sprawl out without the polish I hoped for. Acquiring new abilities gave me short bursts of excitement, but there were moments where the interface fumbled, menus felt clunky, and guiding mechanics left me second-guessing where to head next. Part of me appreciated the minimalist approach since it fits with the meditative tone, but another part couldn’t ignore the frustration when vague objectives slowed my momentum.
Puzzles still anchor the experience, and cleansing corrupted guardians made for some of the game’s most thrilling moments. These encounters struck a nice balance between cerebral and cinematic. Yet occasionally, I wished the game nudged me more clearly when introducing new mechanics or layered challenges. The visuals, while often stunning from afar, sometimes wavered on closer inspection. Textures could blur, and technical hiccups popped up here and there, gently pulling me out of the immersion. That said, when everything did click—the puzzle design, the atmospheric storytelling, the swelling soundtrack—I was reminded why I fell in love with this series to begin with. It’s not just about gameplay loops or graphical fidelity; it’s about a journey that stirs something quiet and ancient inside me. I always go back to 2012’s “Journey” as the one that started this kind of game. Since then, some have been more successful than others, but when these hit, they become truly memorable.
“Spirit of the North 2” doesn’t radically reinvent itself. In many ways, it’s a case of “more of the same,” but with a little more muscle under the hood and wider horizons to wander. It builds on the lore beautifully, giving me more reasons to care about the world and its forgotten legends. Sure, it stumbles with technical polish and some bloated mechanics, but for those of us who yearn for quiet, atmospheric adventures that let us lose ourselves in the folds of myth and nature, it’s a journey still well worth taking. By the time I helped the final guardian break free, I wasn’t thinking about the occasional janky interface or the visual hiccups; I was thinking about how far I’d come, how vast and mysterious this world was, and how bittersweet it felt to step away from it again. And honestly? That’s the kind of feeling I’m always chasing in games like this.
7/10
For more information, visit the official website.
Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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