Aggelos 2
Aggelos 2
Game
Game2025
Beyond the Ice Palace 2
Developer STORYBIRD Studio
Arise from the dead as the 'Cursed King' in an enthralling action platformer. Wield the chains that once imprisoned you to vanquish foes and traverse your fallen kingdom. Uncover hidden areas, strategically level up, and reclaim your throne by banishing colossal bosses! From the Steam store page
115 reactions from 4 sources (Bluesky, Steam reviews, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Sep 18, 2026 · last updated Oct 13, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
78
LovedLoved
39 positive · 11 negative
95% range 65–87%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 7 | 1 | 52 |
| Steam reviews | 39 | 11 | 0 |
| Mastodon * | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
44 of 55 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
78% recommend · 40 yes, 11 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 51 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mixed (89 of 132 positive).
Some reviewers note it is not a true metroidvania but a linear action-platformer with Castlevania influences. [1][2][3][4] A few players find the game frustrating due to janky controls and lack of checkpoints near the end. [5][6][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [6]
EDIT: I gave this a thumbs down for the increasingly frustrating level design, especially toward the end. Many levels force you to start over from the beginning after you die. I DON"T WANT TO FIGHT 10 MINUTES OF SKELETONS AND PLATFORMING JUST TO GET A SECOND TRY AT A BOSS. Blasphemous, Hollow Knight, and many other games can keep a game challenging without being mind-numbing. I can't take back my frustrating time …
- [9]
First off, I played the game after the patch was released, so I have no idea what it was like before then. But basically I thought this game was great. Extremely awesome pixel art graphics that are closer in line with the look of old games like Actraiser or Symphony of the Night more so than many other sidescrollers on Steam. It starts a little slow for the first hour or so, but has possibly some of the most fun and …
- [1]
Sequel to the old C64 classic. This one is more in style of Castlevania, compared to the original, which played more like Ghost n Goblins. Superb graphics and soundtrack. The whip has many fun uses and combat combinations. The only thing lacking, is some polish in the controls, but you get used to them, and it gets better, when you get double jump and other moves. It's neither a metroidvania (even though you can go …
- [3]
I remember the original Beyond the Ice Palace on good old Commodore 64. It had great graphics for the time, a typical punishing trial-and-error difficulty, and could be completed in about 10-15 minutes if you knew what you were doing. The soundtrack stood out—foreboding yet filled with a strong sense of adventure. Now, more than 30 years later, the arrival of a sequel feels almost surreal. Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is …
- [2]
Unfortunately this game is just fine, nothing special really. Sometimes pretty frustrating with how it controls. A ton of other indie games on steam like it and do it better. Not really a metroidvania either, just a side scroller. 6/10 average
Summarised from 34 of the 123 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
78% of the 51 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Beyond the Ice Palace 2. The complaint that keeps coming up: frustrating checkpoint placement, especially late game. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
60 of 115 · most liked firstEDIT: I gave this a thumbs down for the increasingly frustrating level design, especially toward the end. Many levels force you to start over from the beginning after you die. I DON"T WANT TO FIGHT 10 MINUTES OF SKELETONS AND PLATFORMING JUST TO GET A SECOND TRY AT A BOSS. Blasphemous, Hollow Knight, and many other games can keep a game challenging without being mind-numbing. I can't take back my frustrating time spent with my game but you all can prevent yours. A solid, well-made game with a…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It pains me to change my review to not recommend but checkpoints near the end of the game are so few and far between, that if you don't beat the boss in your first try, you need to replay the entire level and that's just no longer acceptable in 2025. I love the art style, the music and the gameplay in general, but that design choice ruins the entire experience.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →First off, I played the game after the patch was released, so I have no idea what it was like before then. But basically I thought this game was great. Extremely awesome pixel art graphics that are closer in line with the look of old games like Actraiser or Symphony of the Night more so than many other sidescrollers on Steam. It starts a little slow for the first hour or so, but has possibly some of the most fun and satisfying mechanics I've ever experienced in a platformer. All the feel…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a good game but it definitely isn’t going to be for every MV fan. If you value fluid platforming, fast pace movement and a lot of exploration, you should probably sit this one out. The Good: This game does a great job of making you feel strong with a lot of weight to your attacks. The enemy variety is vast and the boss designs are absolutely beautiful. Every area is visually great with the stellar pixel art and sound design. Everything about this game visuals and combat I thought were…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 PC and Consoles Storybird Studio, 11th Mar 2025
neutral · AI labelView post →It's an OK game at best. It has issues with ledge grabs not always working (making the same jump doesn't always trigger a ledge grab), and the fact that it prioritizes grabbing rings instead of your attack hitting an enemy if a ring is in range will get you hit more often than not. Having so few checkpoints in the latter part of the game especially before big fights and the fact that mid-bosses respawn makes rushing through sections while only fighting immediate threats the best choice for…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Sequel to the old C64 classic. This one is more in style of Castlevania, compared to the original, which played more like Ghost n Goblins. Superb graphics and soundtrack. The whip has many fun uses and combat combinations. The only thing lacking, is some polish in the controls, but you get used to them, and it gets better, when you get double jump and other moves. It's neither a metroidvania (even though you can go back and search for more secrets), or a Souls-Like. This is a proper…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →toby fox releasing the spring 2025 newsletter on the same day as the release of Beyond the Ice Palace 2
neutral · AI labelView post →Me: i just finished a very hard level with impossible jumps and very accurate evasion, i just reached the mid boss, i died here like a dozen, finally beat the boss, leave the boss room, no checkpoint, no warp gate, u still move along the level with even more impossible jumps. Me: dies after the mid boss, didn't reach a new checkpoint, so go back to the checkpoint at the beggining of the the level. Me: ''Hey, game, i killed the mid level boss, shouldn't he still be dead ? shouldn't there…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beyond The Ice Palace 2 (PS5) is $19.99 on Amazon amzn.to/4oKC6I4 #ad $12.99 US PSN buff.ly/y0QAxJ5 (Steam) $10.95 Gamebillet buff.ly/WMawLX9
neutral · AI labelView post →Do you love jank? Do you love epic hit boxes? Do you love random difficulty spikes? Are you a nostalgic 40 year old who never even heard of the first one? This is the game for you.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 PC and Consoles Storybird Studio, 11th Mar 2025 No Mercy!
neutral · AI labelView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 (Switch) is $14.99 on Amazon amzn.to/4myVgzn #ad
neutral · AI labelView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 PC and Consoles Storybird Studio, 11th Mar 2025 Strong Castlevania vibes
neutral · AI labelView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 will now launch on March 10, three days earlier than previously announced. Wishlist here: store.steampowered.com/app/2384730 #indiegames #indies #pixelart #steam #indiegame
neutral · AI labelView post →This game has an identity crisis. When it sticks to its roots as an old-school platformer, it succeeds—while the slower, less responsive controls might not be for everyone, there are moments in this game when it really feels like I'm playing as Richter in Rondo of Blood. If you're a fan of that gamefeel, as I am, there's a sense of coziness to Beyond the Ice Palace 2 that I really enjoy. Jumping, attacking, walking to the right—it's simple, but it works. However, BTIP2 isn't ACTUALLY an…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of the poorer metroidvanias I've played. Stiff and horrible controls, mediocre balancing, badly placed checkpoints, an ancient upgrade system, some bosses have weirdly high health while others have weirdly low health, and keyboard and mouse seems like it was not even playtested prior to release. Great soundtrack, good locations, but overall just insanely mid and clunky. Update - the game really has the worst checkpoint system in recent releases ever. Update 2 - after beating the game, it…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Each attack the whole screen will shake and makes me feel uncomfortable. I have requested a refund.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I think this one might need another 30 years in the oven. In a game that's exclusively platforming and combat, both the platforming and combat are extremely stiff and clunky. I understand some of that is out of reverence for the original game and classic Castlevania, and that this game's billing as a metroidvania is somewhat undesired. That being said, it's still 2025. There's a basic desire for responsiveness, consistency, and respect for the player's time that is wholly unmet here.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beyond The Ice Palace 2 is $14.99 on Amazon Switch buff.ly/6kx61qa PS5 buff.ly/QiFYuF9 #ad
neutral · AI labelView post →Slow and clunky action/platformer. Hardly what I'd consider to be a Metroidvania.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unfortunately this game is just fine, nothing special really. Sometimes pretty frustrating with how it controls. A ton of other indie games on steam like it and do it better. Not really a metroidvania either, just a side scroller. 6/10 average
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Wield the chains that once imprisoned you ⛓️ 🚨 Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is coming to Steam, PS4/5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on March 13, 2025 🚨 Wishlist now: buff.ly/3B3xSHU www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV_W...
neutral · AI labelView post →Decent piixel art but it's a mid game. Checkpoints are poorly placed. It seems that there's artifical difficulty added to pad the game length which is already short as it is. Also, mini-bosses respawn... and no checkpoints before those, either. Lack of respect for player time is egregious.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I too would be super pissed if some lowborn nobles in my court kill me, imprison my soul and steal my babes
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Tried out the demo of Beyond The Ice Palace 2 by @pqube.bsky.social Definitely has that retro feel to it with floating movement and slow pace attack animations, but with really impressive pixel art and a fun storyline. Looking forward to try out the full game! #metroidvania #indiegames #gaming
positive · AI labelView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 (Switch) physical release is 50% off on Amazon: bit.ly/4bHcu9L $14.99 maybe only $10.49 if you have a coupon to clip on the page
neutral · AI labelView post →✨New week means two new games! Starting Bayoneta 2 and the original Paper Mario this week! Yakuza 3 as it builds toward it's conclusion! Beat Bayonetta, Beyond the Ice Palace 2 & Bloodstained's Classic Mode 2! Come enjoy these classics with us~ 💚 #vtuber #envtuber #streamer #twitch #youtube
neutral · AI labelView post →I was kindly asked to try out Beyond the Ice Palace 2, which has new demo on steam out today! ❄️ Along with the release of Monster Hunter Wilds, we have a busy schedule this week! 💚 Come take a seat on Momma's lap for some gaming! #vtuber #envtuber #streamer #twitch #youtube
neutral · AI labelView post →Master your skills 🛡️⛓️ Challenging demons will push you to the limit in Beyond the Ice Palace 2 😈 Wishlist now: buff.ly/3B3xSHU
neutral · AI labelView post →💚Another comfy week of daily streams down. Thank you @pqubegames.bsky.social for Beyond the Ice Palace 2 & Gal Guardians! Shout out to @mommarbvt.bsky.social @aistradargon.bsky.social @evelynaddisonvt.bsky.social for the twitch raids! Follow these beans! #vtuber #envtuber #streamer #twitch #youtube
neutral · AI labelView post →I remember the original Beyond the Ice Palace on good old Commodore 64. It had great graphics for the time, a typical punishing trial-and-error difficulty, and could be completed in about 10-15 minutes if you knew what you were doing. The soundtrack stood out—foreboding yet filled with a strong sense of adventure. Now, more than 30 years later, the arrival of a sequel feels almost surreal. Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is not a metroidvania, but rather a classic action-platformer in the vein of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I downloaded this game hoping it would be different from Dead Cells. I was really excited when I saw the release of his game, because there are just not enough Castlevania-like games out there. While the map is well designed, the controls and game mechanics are poor. The characters are even worse, making me unwilling to continue playing. If you are a big Castlevania fan, think twice before downloading this game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My eyes tell me you're a sequel to a niche multiple decade old game but my soul tells me you are a remake to Super Castlevania IV
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →7th review. If your a fan of castlevania & blasphemous..... you'll enjoy this. Not a big fan of the walk pace but the visuals make up for that 😁
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My video review for Beyond the Ice Palace 2 can be watched by following this link: https://youtu.be/_XK-GYDCV9M For those who do not wish to watch the video: Playtime: 6 hours and 40 minutes Completion Rate: 99% (I'm missing a single accessory upgrade) Pros: - The game's narrative went a bit deeper than I had anticipated, functioning, both, as a framework for your rampage against legions of demons but also doing a decent job of fleshing out certain characters even through a few lines of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →⭐️ The #SteamNextFest has begun! ⛓️ Beyond the Ice Palace 2 takes part with a free demo Play it now on #Steam 👉 bit.ly/4aw7cvM #indiegame #indiedev
neutral · AI labelView post →Breaker and wielder of chains ⛓️💥💥 Use the shackles that once bound you and lift your curse once and for all 👹 Wishlist Beyond the Ice Palace 2 now! 💎 bit.ly/3TW1Anp 💎
neutral · AI labelView post →Beyond The Ice Palace 2 (S) $19.99 via Amazon (Prime Eligible). ow.ly/IV0X50WSQuy Target. ow.ly/YcBm50WSQuz
neutral · AI labelView post →I ended up quite liking this game! At first it seemed a bit janky and the controls take some getting used to, but after a while the enemy variety and creativity in design is a fresh air from the typical powerups and gear you get in a lot of other games similar to this. It's not really a strong metroidvania game. It's more focused on going through stages and then returning to open up a new stage and progress through the game somewhat linearly. 6.9/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've been gifted a key to Beyond the Ice Palace 2 which just released across steam and consoles!❄️ We'll be starting the Bayonetta series as voted on by the community! Along with some DLCs from games we've previously played on stream! 💚 #vtuber #envtuber #streamer #twitch #youtube
neutral · AI labelView post →Feedback from the attacks feels great. The movement that is available from the beginning is really satisfying. Level design is focused and keeps you engaged. Ran into a few bugs here and there (fell through the ground on the part of the tutorial that teaches you how to slide, if you hold the opposite direction after walking through a door the character walks back into the room before the screen fades, money from chests respawns if you exit the screen and come back) but nothing…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →what a cool game! I love the sound design. the music is great and immersive.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →#NintendoSwitch Video: #BeyondtheIcePalace2 - A relatively solid Metroidvania with plenty of old-school feels and puzzles galore #IndieGames youtu.be/8B1Fqbq0YoY
neutral · AI labelView post →Review Beyond the Ice Palace II is, although linear, an MV, aesthetically nice, with basic combat, a versatile weapon, and notable game design issues. No map, bad checkpoints, and erratic difficulty. The Highlights Really enjoyable pixel art. It looks to me very faithful to the old 16-bit era. It has a lot of resemblance to Super Castlevania IV. Your main weapon is a chain. The combat itself is not complex, but that isn't negative or amazing either. You can basically sling the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Making more progress in Beyond The Ice Palace 2
neutral · AI labelView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 [PC - 69] www.metacritic.com/game/beyond-... "Its stiff controls feel straight out of the ‘80s, but beneath the frost lies gothic charm, slick chain combat, and rewarding exploration." - Game8
neutral · AI labelView post →Pretty decent. 1 part classic castlevania 1 part ghosts and goblins and one part dark souls and dead cells. Pretty fun the grab mechanics are interesting i like exploring the world and the little parkour. for the price point its very affordable and recommend if you are into classic difficult pixel games.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's definitely a bit clunky but I think it deserves a positive review
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Highly recommend. Loving every bit of this
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is an Action Packed Platformer and is a sequel released after 35+ years from the first game which came out first in 1988. The story is about the king who was getting shot by a celestial arrow from the sky every year and continue to rule the kingdom until one year everything goes off track and disruptions happen in the world causing demons to overtake it. You get revived as the Cursed King to continue your mission of revenge. The game offers multiple biomes each with…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beyond the Ice Palace 2 release date set for March, new trailer nintendoeverything.com/beyond-the-i...
neutral · AI labelView post →Beyond The Ice Palace 2 (PS5) $22.40 via Amazon (Prime Eligible). ow.ly/htl050X1e6f (S) $24.99 via Woot (Amazon Prime Eligible). ow.ly/m4GQ50X1e6c
neutral · AI labelView post →Beyond The Ice Palace 2 (PS5) $24.09 via Amazon (Prime Eligible). ow.ly/ueb650WBgFZ (S) $24.99 via Woot (Amazon Prime Eligible). ow.ly/PO0K50WBgG3
neutral · AI labelView post →There are some rough spots in the gameplay and platforming, but those are few and far between compared to the rest of the game. Really great art and music plus fun bosses really make this game wroth checking out. This is one of the rare cases where a long forgot IP was picked up by a new studio and it still ends up being really respectful to the original.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I like stomping skeletons.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beyond the Ice Palace II is a sequel 37 years in the making that was well worth the wait. Metroidvania fans should scoop this up for the attractive price point of $19.99 for 8+ hours of gameplay, beautiful pixel art, that classic SNES-PS1 era feeling, and more.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An Excellent 2D action platformer with both Metroidvania and Souls-like elements. A great throwback to the SNES action adventure genre. Good: Gorgeous pixel art and atmosphere. Great responsive controls. Rewarding combat feel. Great exploration and secrets. Bad: A bit too easy with the right upgrades. Boss difficulty is a bit underwhelming Full Review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EytLHDAghg&t=1s
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beyond The Ice Palace 2 (PS5) $24.59 (S) $25.49 via Amazon (Prime Eligible). S ow.ly/mT2u50WCnM7 PS5 ow.ly/UK6s50WCnM6 (S) $24.99 via Woot (Amazon Prime Eligible). ow.ly/refi50WCnM9
neutral · AI labelView post →ICYMI: yesterday’s video about #BeyondTheIcePalace2 !! Beyond the Ice Palace 2 | A Castlevania-inspired Quest for Vengeance youtu.be/yPmxUdDmlio
neutral · AI labelView post →
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