CI Games continues its rundown of Lords of the Fallen 2 with a new instalment of its "Lifting the Veil" video series, this one titled "Steel & Sorcery". It's already their 11th appointment with players, and it's devoted entirely to the combat system, which has had a significant overhaul since the 2023 game. The video reveals that the studio wanted to give players more freedom, with smoother chains and the ability to combine melee weapons, magic and ranged attacks far more easily. In fact, the difference is already clear in the sheer number of moves available, as this sequel will offer close to 30 distinct animation and technique sets for weapons, compared to around fifteen in the previous entry. Each class now has its own quirks, whether that's strikes that let you reposition, extended combos or attacks capable of hitting several enemies at once. Boss weapons will get their own specific movesets too, with signature attacks that give them a distinct identity.
Otherwise, the most interesting addition is surely weapon swapping mid-combo. In Lords of the Fallen 2, you'll be able to start a string of attacks with twin daggers, for example, then instantly switch to a scythe to finish the chain with a wide sweep. The system will also allow you to shift from a one-handed to a two-handed stance without breaking the rhythm of the fight. It's a change that should make encounters far less rigid than in the first game. Granted, we're still a long way from the snappiness of a Phantom Blade Zero, but that probably wasn't the developers' aim either. We had to mention it anyway.
The presentation is also a chance to remind everyone that the studio is working with experienced players drawn from the Soulslike community. Part of the Launch Creative Team, Travis "Pastorgainz" Hughlett and Chandler Huddleston are collaborating directly with the developers, so that they can properly represent a demanding community.
Elsewhere, CI Games has also rethought the role of special abilities, as each weapon loadout will be able to hold two 'Quickfire' skills, accessible directly during fights. Players will be able to throw a projectile, call on a magical ability or buff their weapon without having to change stance. Not bad. A javelin can even be hurled mid-combo, to keep the pressure on an opponent trying to back off. Magic, for its part, gets more thorough treatment too, and will now have its own stance, with freedom of movement comparable to melee combat. But that's not all: spellcasters will be able to equip up to 4 spells on a first catalyst, then switch instantly to 4 other abilities tied to a second one. Some incantations can also be charged to produce different effects. Finally, the game will feature 7 schools of magic, each with its own approach, and mana can be topped up using the Sanguinarix, with no need for consumables.
The presentation is also a chance to remind everyone that the studio is working with experienced players drawn from the Soulslike community. Part of the Launch Creative Team, Travis "Pastorgainz" Hughlett and Chandler Huddleston are collaborating directly with the developers, so that they can properly represent a demanding community. Their recruitment hinged on a rather unusual requirement, too: proof of at least 1,000 hours played in the Souls-like genre. Since then, they've been involved in testing and tweaking various aspects of the project, from combat and exploration to progression and storytelling. Ryan Hill, Chief Creative Officer at CI Games, says the team took extensive account of the feedback received after the first Lords of the Fallen when reworking its mechanics. Other adjustments concern quality of life, with the option to reclaim the upgrades invested in a weapon for a small fee.
Due for a worldwide release in the first quarter of 2027, Lords of the Fallen 2 is sticking with the transparency approach via these lengthy videos. Let's hope the strategy pays off.
