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What is it?

Infinity Blade II is the perfect video game sequel. The visceral and cinematic melee combat has been expanded from a glorified quicktime event into a proper, fleshed-out fighting system. IB1's thin storyline has been replaced with a voice-acted narrative full of twists and turns. And players now have an entire castle to explore, full of branching paths and secrets, in place of the original's short and linear path to the God-King. Chair successfully accomplished all this while also setting a new standard for mobile game visuals.

Infinity Blade II picks up right where the original left off. Our hero (retroactively named Siris) needs help from The Worker of Secrets - the titular blade's creator. The catch? The Worker has been imprisoned and can only be released if three "Deathless" are defeated. Each resides in the Vault of Tears, at the end of a lengthy gauntlet of enemies. Along the way players learn much more about Siris' true nature, and why he is seemingly doomed to repeat a never-ending cycle of violence.

Cue dozens upon dozens of enemy encounters, as Siris explores the Vault's varied branching paths. After every battle gamers earn a helping of XP and Gold, allowing players to increase Siris' stats and purchase new weapons and equipment.


Did we like it?

Infinity Blade's touch-powered sword-slashing combat has always been a blast, but the sequel infuses it with much more depth. Each and every enemy encounter felt fresh and fun for the duration of the 5-6 hours it took me to reach & defeat the final boss.

I especially appreciated the two new combat styles at my disposal. Players can still use the IB1-standard sword and shield, but it's tough to go back after experiencing the sequel's devastating heavy weapon and explosive dual wielding systems. Heavy weapons allow for powerful critical hits by swiping in specific directions, and dual wielding enables massive combos while dropping the ability to block. Any time I got tired of one combat system, I simply bought a new weapon and switched.

Little (and not-so-little) tweaks are abound in Infinity Blade 2, making every aspect of the game more enjoyable than its already-polished predecessor. Enemy patterns seem more dynamic. Far more bags of gold litter the environment. Enemies can now cast magic. Players can slot gems into weapons and armor for special bonuses. The entire menu UI has been re-worked, sorted by equipment slot. It's clear a lot of care and attention went into virtually every aspect of this sequel.

The branching paths that make up The Vault of Tears represent the next evolution of the "looping" game structure pioneered in the original Infinity Blade. Players still have to travel through the Vault several times to complete the game, but I was still finding new rooms and connections between areas of the castle several hours in, reducing the grindy feeling of these loops. Chair is seemingly one step ahead of other mobile game makers – just as other studios are beginning to ape the original's repetitive loops, Infinity Blade 2 reinvents its own formula.

Of course, it certainly helps that Infinity Blade 2 is absolutely gorgeous. The game is incredibly impressive on a technical level, with realtime shadows, improved particle effects, and other abstruse bells & whistles. But more importantly, the game represents a maturation in Chair's ability to create memorable set pieces and enemies. The game's entire aesthetic is a clear cut above what anyone else is even attempting on iOS.


Should you buy it?

Infinity Blade 2 is a perfect representation of what iOS games are capable of. Chair has created a near-flawless combination of best-of-breed visuals and touch-controlled gameplay.

Best of all, the entire package is a bigger and better value than the original in virtually every way. Four times the number of combat locations. Nearly triple the volume of equipment. Double the number of unique enemy types. And once you complete it all, a robust and challenging New Game+ awaits. Chair is also promising aggressive post-launch support, including cooperative multiplayer "Clash Mobs."

Infinity Blade 2 is a must own - it is the App Store's killer app.

Closing Comments
I didn’t love the original Infinity Blade as much as most gamers, but Chair addressed each and every concern with the sequel, and made the game more than four times bigger to boot. I’m now a complete believer. I can’t wait for what else the studio has in store.
Justin is Executive Editor of IGN Wireless. He has been reviewing cell phone games since the dark days of Java flip phones. You can follow him on Twitter and MyIGN.
IGN Ratings for Infinity Blade II (iPhone)
Rating Description
out of 10 Click here for ratings guide
10
OVERALL
Masterpiece
(out of 10)
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