ENDLESS Legend 2: Be Warned, This Early Access Might Surprise You (For Better or Worse)
Eleven years after Endless Legend, a “strategic diamond” that redefined the 4X genre, its sequel is finally arriving in early access. Endless Legend 2 carries the weight of a colossal legacy and the expectations of a community marked by its predecessor’s flawed combat system. This first foray onto the planet Saiadha is a complex journey, a mix of brilliant triumphs and frustrating missteps that deserves a thorough analysis.
The Legacy of a Legend
To understand what’s at stake, we must remember the first game. Endless Legend (2014) was a masterpiece acclaimed for its art direction, immersive atmosphere, and especially its asymmetrical factions. Playing as pacifist merchants or knights feeding on life energy radically changed the strategy, offering near-infinite replayability. The game also innovated with concepts later adopted by giants like Civilization, such as city development through districts and narrative quests as a victory condition.
However, the game had a major, universally criticized flaw: its combat system. The player gave general orders and then passively watched chaotic and frustrating battles unfold. The promise of Endless Legend 2 was clear: to fix this Achilles’ heel while preserving the original’s magic.
The Good Surprises: A World That Reinvents Itself
Fortunately, Endless Legend 2 innovates boldly. Its most brilliant idea is the “Tidefall” system. The planet Saiadha is an ever-evolving ocean world. At regular intervals, the oceans recede, revealing new continents. This mechanic constantly revitalizes the game, making exploration a recurring event and preventing the mid-to-late game stagnation typical of the genre. The map becomes a character in its own right.
Faction asymmetry, the soul of the first game, is pushed to its extreme here. The five early access factions are “radically different.” From armored ghosts who consume money instead of food to warlike insects using burrows for ambushes, each faction offers a completely distinct gameplay experience. The game also deepens its RPG aspects, with heroes forming relationships, getting married, and building residences, creating a much stronger emotional investment.
Discover the five major factions available in Early Access!
From religious and scientific zealots to a relentless hive of semi-insectoids, experience how faction asymmetry shapes every moment of the game.#EndlessLegend2 #EndlessUniverse pic.twitter.com/Q11SK8qBpQ — Endless Universe (@EndlessUniverse) September 18, 2025
The Bad Surprises: Tenacious Ghosts
Despite its qualities, the game reveals significant flaws. The combat system, while now giving the player full control, is considered disappointing by part of the community. The lack of melee counter-attacks and a balance that heavily favors the first striker are the main complaints, making battles less tactical.
The other major issue is the pervasive influence of Humankind, the studio’s previous game. Endless Legend 2 inherits its cluttered interface that drowns the player in notifications, and its district system that leads to a city sprawl deemed “ridiculous” and hard to read.
Finally, this is an early access release with its limitations: only five factions, no multiplayer mode, bugs, and a general lack of polish. Diplomacy is still shallow, and no detailed roadmap was shared at launch.
Provisional Verdict: Should You Dive In?
Endless Legend 2 is a fascinating mix of genius and clumsiness. To provide a clear overview, here is a summary table.
|
The Strong Points (The “Good”) |
The Weak Points (The “Bad”) |
|
✅ Dynamic World: The “Tidefall” mechanic reinvents exploration and breaks the monotony of the 4X genre. |
❌ Frustrating Combat: A combat system with counter-intuitive mechanics and punishing balance. |
|
✅ Exceptional Factions: Asymmetry is pushed to its peak, offering radically different and original playstyles. |
❌ Cluttered Interface: A direct legacy from Humankind, the interface is often confusing and overwhelms the player with information. |
|
✅ Narrative Depth: Quests and the hero relationship system create a strong RPG immersion. |
❌ Controversial City Management: The district system leads to unrealistic urban sprawl that harms readability. |
|
✅ Impeccable Production: The art direction and soundtrack are, as always with Amplitude, absolutely superb. |
❌ Incomplete State: Limited content (5 factions), major features missing (multiplayer, etc.), and a general lack of polish. |
For veterans of the first game and innovation lovers, the answer is likely yes. The brilliance of “Tidefall” and the faction design are powerful arguments that can make one overlook the current flaws, hoping for future fixes.
For newcomers or players demanding a polished experience, the answer is a firm wait. The frustrating combat, confusing interface, and limited content make it a risky investment. It’s wiser to wait and see how the studio, recently independent again, will use community feedback via its co-creation platform Game2Gether. The potential is immense, but the road is still long for this rough diamond to become the legendary sequel it aims to be.
Learn more on Endless Legend 2: Release Date, Factions, Gameplay and What to Expect!
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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