Category: Gaming

Key Takeaways

1. Dark Storyline: Tails of Iron features a whimsical yet dark plot, where players control Redgi, a young rat seeking to reclaim his fallen kingdom from a cruel frog army.

2. Combat Mechanics: The game emphasizes real-time combat with swift and fluid gameplay, allowing players to choose from various weapons without a stamina meter complicating their strategy.

3. Visuals and Atmosphere: The hand-drawn 2D graphics and voice acting by Doug Cockle enhance the game’s immersive experience, contributing to its positive reception.

4. Mixed Reviews: While praised for its combat and visuals, the game lacks an easy mode and offers minimal exploration or puzzle-solving elements, which may deter newcomers to the genre.

5. Sequel Released: A sequel, Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter, was released on January 28, 2025, introducing new gameplay features and continuing the story in a different setting.

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Tails of Iron is a 2D action RPG that draws a lot from Souls-like games. At first sight, the game’s world and its delightful hand-drawn graphics give off a vibe of a fun, family-oriented story. But don’t let that fool you. You take on the role of Redgi, the young successor of a fallen rat kingdom. Although the animal characters may remind you of classic fables or medieval tales, the plot turns much darker, mixing whimsical features with a serious, often bloody storyline that echoes the original Grimm’s fairy tales. The kingdom is under attack by a cruel frog army. After seeing his father killed, Redgi embarks on a dangerous quest to save his brothers, take back his throne, and rid the land of the amphibian menace.

Combat and Gameplay

Just like expected from a Soulslike game, Tails of Iron focuses heavily on combat. Redgi has to tackle not only swarms of lesser enemies but also fierce boss encounters. The real-time combat requires quick reactions and precise timing. However, due to its 2D viewpoint, the challenge isn’t as severe as in 3D games like Dark Souls or Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. The combat feels fast-paced and smooth, partly because there’s no stamina meter to keep track of. Players can choose from various weapons such as swords, axes, and spears, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. Armor is also crucial, affecting both defense and agility, allowing you to customize your combat approach.

Reviews and Reception

In a review by the German site Eurogamer, Tails of Iron was commended for its tough yet fair combat mechanics and beautifully crafted 2D visuals, which highlight an impressive attention to detail. The unique story about a conflict between rats and frogs is voiced by Doug Cockle, known for portraying Geralt in The Witcher, contributing to the game’s rich atmosphere. With playtime around 10 to 12 hours for both main and side quests, the review described the experience as compact but fulfilling, providing a rounded adventure without overstaying its welcome.

Critiques and Feedback

Despite the praise, Eurogamer pointed out a few shortcomings. The lack of an easy mode could make the game intimidating for newcomers to the Soulslike genre. Moreover, Tails of Iron heavily focuses on combat, with little else to offer. There are nearly no puzzles or exploration aspects to break the continuous action. Eurogamer opted not to give a final score. On a broader scale, the game has received favorable feedback. On Steam, more than 10,000 players have reviewed it, with 88% giving it a positive rating. On Metacritic, Tails of Iron has a Metascore of 81 and a User Score of 8.0, showing its good reception overall.

Tails of Iron was created by Odd Bug Studio and published by United Label in September 2021. It typically retails for around $25 on Steam, but it’s currently available at an 80% discount, bringing the price down to just $5 until April 21. If you’re not in a hurry, it might be wise to wait a bit. SteamDB indicates that the game sometimes drops to a 90% discount, so with some patience, you might grab it for even cheaper.

Sequel Information

By the way – a sequel was just released: Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter came out on January 28, 2025, and is now offered at a 25% discount for around $19 instead of $25. This time, you play as Arlo, the heir to the Guardian of the Wastelands, whose home has been ravaged by a horde of bats. The game expands on the original with new features like magic, elemental damage, a grappling hook for movement, and the ability to upgrade your fortress. If you liked the first game, you’ll likely find a lot to enjoy in this new installment.

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