DaRmaZat The release of Spirit of the North 2 marks the long-awaited return of Infuse Studio’s serene yet adventurous fox-led saga. Published by Silver Lining Interactive, this sequel invites players back into a vast, open world steeped in forgotten history and Norse-inspired folklore. Released on May 8 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this new chapter expands every facet of the original cult hit.
A tale woven through silence and memory
Spirit of the North 2 once again tells its story not through words, but through atmosphere and discovery. First, you need to customize your fox’s appearance and abilities, though curiously, a pure white arctic fox option is missing at the outset. Your journey begins on the isolated shores of Fox Island, where the red-furred protagonist, now joined by a wise Raven companion, awakens. Narrated exposition is absent; instead of dialogue, the world itself whispers its tale as you explore. At the heart of the quest lies the mission to free legendary guardian beasts from the dark influence of Grimnir, a shaman whose corruption has spread across the land.
New elements enrich the lore this time: scattered manuscripts called “Words of Memory” reveal fragments of the past, piece by piece, encouraging players to comb through every ancient ruin and windswept peak. Despite encountering other foxes along the way, they remain spectral and intangible, adding a bittersweet note to this lonely but hopeful pilgrimage.
Refined exploration, puzzle challenges, and a touch of … grinding
Spirit of the North 2 also introduces several gameplay tweaks that both enhance and slightly complicate the formula fans loved. The controls start from scratch, reintroducing players to basic actions like crouching and jumping, but soon layer in new mechanics: doors now open when your fox tugs on ropes, and glowing statues must be carefully placed to solve environmental puzzles. Movement has evolved into a smoother, more parkour-like flow—platforming feels less frustrating, with jumps that naturally land, though fall damage now punishes missteps, a change that slightly undercuts the series’ traditionally relaxing vibe. Death now also carries a price, as you’ll need to retrieve lost items from beacons marking the spot of your fall.
Movement has evolved into a smoother, more parkour-like flow.
Combat remains puzzle-based rather than action-focused, with encounters requiring you to cleanse corrupted guardians using powerful runes. These runes are the backbone of progression: each one, once found, enhances your abilities and marks your fox with a visible symbol on its tail. Some boost your senses to detect hidden lore scrolls, while others unlock access to previously unreachable areas. There’s now a subtle RPG layer, too, as collectible skill points let you upgrade health, spirit energy, and reduce fall damage. Even traversal has been reworked—blue arrows now indicate climbable paths, and a new map with custom waypoints helps navigate the sprawling world. Fast travel dens, day-night cycles, and interactive obelisks that unveil more of the map flesh out the world’s sandbox structure, though some mechanics, like claiming fast travel points, are explained in ways that can initially frustrate. The shop system, operated by mischievous raccoon merchants, adds an incentive to collect wealth, though it introduces an element of grinding that may not appeal to everyone.
A captivating beauty, tinged with some rough edges
Visually, Spirit of the North 2 is simply breathtaking, showcasing a variety of biomes—from rugged mountain peaks to vast, open plains and long-abandoned crypts—all brought to life with the game’s signature, painterly style. The world-building benefits greatly from subtle environmental details: misty lakes, desolate monasteries, and shattered bridges waiting to be repaired through puzzle-solving, from placing objects on pedestals to unlocking symbols.
Visually, Spirit of the North 2 is simply breathtaking.
However, some elements feel rushed, such as other foxes glitching into scenery and collectible indicators whose color schemes (often blue and red) are confusing rather than helpful. Yes, beneath its surface beauty, some technical blemishes persist. Performance was a bit underwhelming in the early review build, with frame rates dipping to 55 FPS even on high-end hardware like an RTX 4090. Texture clipping is frequent—your fox’s head often phases through rocks and trees—and camera angles occasionally zoom in too tightly during confined exploration, obscuring the view.
Luckily, on the audio front, the fox’s sharper, more piercing cry stands out, cutting through the ambient soundscapes. It’s a change that may divide returning players, though small touches—like your fox curling up to doze off when idle—preserve the charm that defined the original. As in its predecessor, the soundtrack quietly elevates the experience, weaving in soft piano notes and gentle flute melodies that gently ebb and flow throughout, without ever becoming overbearing.
Final Thoughts
Spirit of the North 2 is shaping up to be a grander, more ambitious sequel that retains the heart of its predecessor while layering in deeper mechanics and a richer world. Infuse Studio has crafted an open-world adventure that rewards patient exploration and puzzle-solving, even if technical polish and difficulty balancing still need refinement. For fans of serene exploration punctuated by light challenges—and for anyone who fell in love with the first game’s mythic tone and endearing fox hero—this sequel already shows the potential to deliver another memorable journey. If the remaining rough edges are smoothed out, Spirit of the North 2 will not only be its most expansive and ambitious entry yet, but also its most polished and rewarding.
Additional Information
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Reviewed On: PC. Download code provided by the publisher and PR agency.
Developer: Infuse Studio
Publisher: Silver Lining Interactive
Official Website: https://www.silverliningint.com/games/spirit-of-the-north-2
Relevant links: Spirit of the North 2 on STEAM
