The Wolcen 2 conundrum: can lightning strike twice, or will it just get stuck in development hell like its predecessor? I spent some quality time with the pre-alpha test at gamescom 2026, and I’ve got some thoughts. Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem was, shall we say, a mess, but WOLCEN Studio is back for another bite at the apple with Wolcen 2. The big question is, can they redeem themselves and deliver a game that’s actually worth playing? The pre-alpha test was a small snapshot of what’s to come, but it’s a start.
A new beginning, or just a rehash?
The demo I played felt like a playtest or proof of concept, with some core mechanics in place, such as progression, basic abilities, and combat. The game’s visuals have gotten a serious upgrade, thanks to the switch from CryEngine 3 to Unreal 5. It’s a smart move, but let’s not get too excited just yet. After all, we’ve seen countless games with pretty graphics and not much else. The world of Wolcen is still a dark fantasy setting, and the demo did a great job of drawing me in. The level design, on the other hand, was serviceable but nothing special. With ten biomes promised for early access, I hope to see more creativity in this department.
Character creation and progression
Character creation was limited to a simple male or female choice, but I’m hoping for a more extensive character creator in the early access release. The progression system follows a similar path to the original, with a skill mastery system that gives players total freedom to customize their skills. The passive skill tree is back, similar to Path of Exile, but with a rune system that allows for more flexibility. It’s a good start, but I’m curious to see how it all comes together in the final product.
Combat and movement
Combat was a bit clumsy, with delayed or unresponsive ability usage. Movement felt stiff and awkward, but the dodge mechanics were surprisingly smooth. The game slows down movement for half a second after a roll, which integrates dodge into the combat rhythm nicely. It’s a small victory, but I’ll take it.
The real challenge ahead
WOLCEN Studio has a tough road ahead, trying to win back fans after the debacle that was Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem. They’ll need to listen carefully to feedback and work hard to deliver a game that’s actually worth playing. The early demo of Wolcen 2 has piqued my interest, but I’m still cautiously optimistic. After all, we’ve seen countless games with promising demos that ended up being disappointments. Only time will tell if Wolcen 2 can rise from the ashes and become a game worth playing.
In conclusion, Wolcen 2 is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, dipped in a vat of uncertainty. Will it be a glorious comeback, or a mediocre rehash? One thing’s for sure: I’ll be keeping a close eye on its development, and I’ll be ready to pounce on any sign of trouble. After all, as any seasoned gamer knows, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and the gaming industry is full of them.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
