Home Behind 2

Home Behind 2 is back to continue the game franchise that won some hearts and minds with its predecessor. For those who haven't played it, it's a strategy roguelike RPG based in a modern-day civil war. Although the locations and characters are fantasized, the premise comes from real-world struggles of overthrowing an authoritarian government.

Technically, Home Behind 2 is still in early access to continue garnering player feedback on the game. However, the title is relatively complete, so we can get the full scope of gameplay. So what's this roguelike RPG going to offer against not only its predecessor. But the entire wave of titles from the genre? Let's get warmed up and enter the world of Home Behind 2.

A Different Kind of Battle

Should anyone have played the first Home Behind, what you'll find in the sequel is gameplay that far stretches beyond the survival RPG mechanics. Home Behind 2 is a roguelike strategy that puts players into the thick of the action rather than focusing on resources and base building to accomplish your goals.

Similarly, Home Behind 2 is narrative-heavy, so there is a rich story to follow that enhances the strategic gameplay. What's slightly bothersome about the game is that most of the combat is automated, though. Yes, the battles are engaging visually, adopting a comic-book art style that brings immersive exchanges of gunfire and explosions. However, not having ultimate control over your actions would bother many.

But the revolution storyline is gripping and will keep you engaged with the game. The strategy elements thread into the match against the civil war backdrop nicely. It is fun to customize characters to enhance their best abilities and build up your war machine to beat the opposing authoritarian army.

Getting more stuck into Home Behind 2, you can still tell why it's in early access. The game needs work in places like dialogue, polishing, and overall combat could undoubtedly be a bit more flexible. But the minor issues don't detract from the idea that the game is a good roguelike experience.

We Dream of Revolution

Many would argue that Home Behind 2 is a copy of Darkest Dungeon with modern aesthetics and a different story. In many spots, it's hard to disagree. However, it's still an enjoyable game, and there's enough unique gameplay and mechanics that would separate the two experiences entirely.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A fantastic narrative and great characters
• The strategy element of the game is well-designed
• Immersive art style

Cons:

• Not all dialogue is translated
• Combat is semi-automatic, detracting from player engagement
• Some gameplay elements feel like a grind