Beholgar 2 PS5 Review | Brutal Barbarian Badassery Awaits!!!

Developer Serkan Bakar and publisher Dolores Entertainment brings back the badass Barbarian Beholgar in an upgraded, and visually updated sequel that sees him on a new arduous adventure for a legendary sword. Starting off in search for an imprisoned blacksmith Beholgar braves the underworld, and the minions of the Djinn King as he quests onward. The task at hand is no easy undertaking though. Beholger must utilize new weapons including sub-weapons, and an array of abilities to delve deeper towards his prized possession. 

Starting off Beholgar 2 looks like a simple straightforward indie experience from the main menu point of view. You've got your language settings, and one optional retro filter for that nostalgic appearance, if you so wish, After that it's down to business with the "Start Game" option, and it's 3 save slots. It is here Beholgar's new adventure truly begins. Dropped off in the dungeon-like underground you, as Beholgar, are appointed to fulfilling the latest objective. That objective being the locating of the Blacksmith and, eventually the legendary sword. 

At your disposal is a main weapon, of which you'll find a total of five, hidden throughout the Metroidvania style map. Each which can be upgraded multiple times using found resources (steel, moonstone) and dropped currency. These main weapons allow your to parry attacks including projectiles, and deal the bigger damage compared to the limited use throwing weapons you find along the way. Along with those two types of attacks you can also roll for evasion. A useful tool for avoiding boss attacks and rolling past smashing barriers, among other things. Additionally you'll find that as you rescue prisoners and meet new NPCs new quest items, rings, and added abilities become available that will help you along the beaten path. Things like wall climbing open up access to previously inaccessible locations, for example. 

As badassas Beholgar is death comes quickly if you are not careful. Pitfalls, and hazards spell almost instant doom should you fall victim to their damage during the platforming efforts. Not only that, but enemies and bosses are also unforgiving, and aggressive in their pursuit of ending Beholgar's quest prematurely. As Beholgar you are beholden to a health bar that has limited health which can only be refilled via found fruit. Losing health not only gets you closer to a bloody demise, but is also reflected in Beholgar's portrait/avatar that reflects his wounds and death status much like Wolfenstein's infamous portrait. Thankfully there are save statues situated at key points on the map that function as a save point, weapon upgrade station, and a fast travel portal for traversing the map more easily. Getting to these statues is imperative for sustained progress.

As a souls-like Metroidvania, 'Beholgar 2' definitely requires some backtracking for items that will help you move forward. The map, in traditional Metroidvania sense, is laid out in a maze-like fashion with gated areas requiring the flipping of switches, the breaking of barriers, and the use of keys and doorway entrances for getting further in. At points you'll also run into bosses that lie in wait, bosses that have specific attack patterns and a beefy health bar. Once beaten they don't reappear, unlike the lesser enemies that will reappear after saving at a save statue, or upon returning to life after a death from said save statue. The end goal is to collect all the quest items, rings, and abilities needed to get to the final boss, and your legendary sword. All while strengthening your weapons, making use of sub-weapons, and utilizing Metroidvania mechanics while surviving the threats at hand.

The Presentation ...

Beholgar 2 is an upgraded experience in the visual department. It features 32-bit graphics with well articulated character and enemy sprites as well as impressively detailed backgrounds and environments that bring this dark fantasy world to life. The inspired hero portrait that takes bloody damage in sync with his fight with enemies is a nice touch. The soundtrack, itself, is mostly instrumental with a 'Conan the Barbarian' vibe that fits the barbarian adventure theme. It's nothing spectacular, but it works.

The Verdict ...

For a game of this type, it being a mix of soulslike and metroidvania, Beholgar 2 doesn't exactly offer an experience that is fitting for modern gaming. It is set back by stiff controls, awkward enemy encounters, and brutally unforgiving hazards that will have you dying more times than any boss fight in the game will. Even with the save points, evasive rolls, and parrying mechanics Beholgar doesn't function as fluidly as he should in an experience that demands such quick responses to quick attacks. It is this impeded movement, and stiff combat that makes for a frustrating time when it comes to seeing it through to the end. Design issues like the game not pausing while in the save statue menu are also problematic.

While it's visually updated and upgraded Beholgar 2 is ultimately held back by retro era gameplay that limits what the modern genres it falls under are currently capable of, but if hardcore retro is what  Serkan Bakar was going for then he nailed it. If I recommend the game to anyone it would definitely be to an audience who likes retro oldschool Metroidvanias with a soulslike challenge.