Review: Beyond the Ice Palace 2 (Nintendo Switch)

Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is an action platformer for the Nintendo Switch. It actually serves as a sequel to the 1988 Atari title, Beyond the Ice Palace. After such a long break, was it worth the wait?

The original Beyond the Ice Palace was a side-scrolling action title in the vein of Ghosts ‘n Goblins. This time around, we’re treated to a Castlevania-esque approach, complete with whip-like weapons and an undead vibe. When I started playing, I immediately appreciated the homage to Castlevania. I hadn’t heard of the original title, but some quick YouTube research shows a much simpler adventure. 

The plot sees our nameless hero crowned as King following his victory against a witch in the palace of ice. Although peace has now spread across the land, it’s short-lived. When a cursed arrow is fired at the hero, the land is overrun by a demonic army led by the King’s own Paiges. The King is resurrected by sages to seek revenge against these traitors.

The game begins with our hero in chains. Once he’s freed himself, these lengthy metal rings serve as both weapon and tool in a whip-like fashion à la Simon Belmont. It adds to the strong Castlevania comparison, but it works well and fans will feel right at home.

Whips (or chains that act as whips) open up many possibilities in terms of gameplay. While it’s nothing we haven’t seen before, our hero can use his chains to latch on to special rings dotted around the environment to reach higher areas. He has other moves at his disposal, too, including a force field of sorts that deflects attacks. This move uses energy, which recharges automatically. A separate power gauge also fills up over time, allowing you to unleash a burst of extra power. Tip: It’s useful to save this full meter for boss fights.

Graphically, Beyond the Ice Palace 2 sports a dark retro look. The 16-bit style includes settings such as a corrupted swamp and graveyard. The murky colors help set the scene without being anything special. The enemies vary from skeletal warriors to giant bugs, with some tough foes along the way. Oh, and let’s not forget boss fights. These are plentiful and memorable, with some hideous, gigantic creatures to test your skills.

Speaking of skills, be sure to level up as often as possible. This is achieved via the collection of special stones, known as Power Crystals, which can be traded in for boosts to your health, strength, and other stats. One of the most fun aspects of Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is seeking out these gems in the game’s many hidden rooms. It adds an element of exploration to proceedings with some hard-to-reach areas just begging to be discovered.

Of course, that’s on top of the combat, which is tricky to say the least. There are no difficulty settings, helping to keep things old-school. If you like the feeling of dying repeatedly and restarting levels, then you’ll feel right at home. There are save points, and the levels aren’t overly long, so it doesn’t become too frustrating, thankfully.

Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a sequel to a game I hadn’t heard of from systems I never played. While it has traded in its weapon choice, the dark style remains intact. This sequel, 35 years in the making, may not necessarily appeal to fans of the original, but Castlevania fans should find enjoyment here.