Wizard of Legends 2 – A Sequel Without a Soul: Ask the Right Questions

[Das Panoti]

When a sequel to a beloved game is announced, it’s natural for fans to feel excited. That was the case for Wizard of Legends 2, the follow-up to a game that captivated players with its retro charm, fast-paced roguelike gameplay, and unique vision. But what fans hoped for and what they received are two very different things.

The name may be the same, but the soul of the game is gone. What we’re looking at isn’t a true continuation of the first game’s vision – it’s a hollow imitation. And the deeper you dig, the clearer it becomes that this game is less a sequel and more a product of corporate mechanics.

But before we simply dismiss Wizard of Legends 2, let’s take a closer look. Let’s ask the right questions. And let’s examine the roles of everyone involved – from the publisher, IGN, to the new developers, Dead Mage, and even the original creators, Contingent99. Only by uncovering the truth can players decide whether this game, and the companies behind it, deserve their support.

1. IGN and Humble Games: The Real Owners of Wizard of Legends
To understand why Wizard of Legends 2 feels so different from its predecessor, you have to start at the top. IGN, the media giant, has owned Humble Games since 2021. But IGN’s connection to the Wizard of Legends brand goes even further back – as publisher, they likely held the rights to the game from the very beginning.

This is important because it means the original developers, Contingent99, probably had no say in what happened after the first game. As is often the case with publisher contracts, the rights to the Wizard of Legends brand likely stayed with IGN, leaving Contingent99 out of the equation.

With the power to dictate what Wizard of Legends 2 would become, IGN didn’t turn back to Contingent99 – the team that built the original game from the ground up. Instead, they gave the project to Dead Mage, a studio known for the highly acclaimed Children of Morta.

2. Dead Mage: A Studio with Proven Talent, but What Happened?
Dead Mage’s work on Children of Morta is proof that they’re a talented team. That game was a beautifully crafted roguelike with emotional depth, stunning visuals, and a clear creative vision. But here’s the question: If Dead Mage is capable of making such great games, why does Wizard of Legends 2 feel so lifeless?

The answer lies in the constraints. Unlike Children of Morta, which was published by 11 bit studios – a publisher known for giving developers creative freedom – Wizard of Legends 2 was developed under IGN’s control. And IGN is not a company known for nurturing artistic vision. They’re a corporate entity focused on profit.

The result is a game that feels like it was designed by committee. The unique pixel-art style of the first game has been replaced with a polished, modern look that screams Hades. The gameplay mechanics are solid but lack the originality and spark that made the first game special. It’s hard to see Wizard of Legends 2 as anything more than a calculated attempt to cash in on popular trends.

3. Contingent99: The Original Creators and Their Role
What about Contingent99, the studio that made the first game? While they’re not involved in the sequel, it’s worth asking: What do they think about Wizard of Legends 2?

As creators of the original, they still have a voice in this conversation. They may not own the rights to the Wizard of Legends brand, but they can speak to their fans. They can explain what happened after the first game, what role they played in the sequel (if any), and how they feel about what IGN and Dead Mage have done with the brand.

But for them to speak out, someone needs to ask them the questions.

4. What Players Can Do: Ask, Research, and Decide
If you’re disappointed by Wizard of Legends 2, here’s what you can do: Start asking questions.

Ask Dead Mage: Why does Wizard of Legends 2 feel so different from Children of Morta? What creative input did they have, and how much control was dictated by IGN? What do they want players to know about the game’s development?
Ask Contingent99: What happened after the first game? Do they feel the sequel reflects the vision of the original? How do they feel about what IGN has done with the brand?
Ask IGN and Humble Games: Why was a new studio chosen? Why was the sequel designed to imitate Hades rather than continue the unique identity of the first game? And why do they ignore regional pricing issues in countries like Argentina, where players struggle with economic instability and inflation?
Only by asking these questions can players form a clear picture of what happened behind the scenes. And only with that clarity can they make informed decisions about whether to support this game – and the companies behind it.

Final Thoughts: Breaking the Illusion
The reality of Wizard of Legends 2 is this: It’s not a sequel in the truest sense. It’s a product created under corporate conditions that prioritized market trends over creative vision.

But that doesn’t mean players are powerless. By questioning the companies involved, by seeking transparency, and by making informed decisions about where to spend their money, players can take back control.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you: Will you support a game that feels like a hollow imitation of the original? Or will you demand better – from publishers, from developers, and from an industry that too often prioritizes profit over passion?

[Agreus]

A whole wall of text and you say nothing anybody who is interested in this game doesn´t already know.
All these things got discussed and the result is: there are 3 groups of people here.

group1 : New people who just want to play and have fun

group2 : people that came from game 1 and are (like with every game that gets a new part) heartbroken that it is not just the first game but better (and better is not strictly defined becourse they all have other views on what is better and what not)

group3 : People that came from the first game and see the new things and not only have fun but understand that these things are mostly good for the game.

This is no longer a question of "is this game good or not" but it is a fight feeling/nostalgia vs reality.

Work your way through the topics in this forum und you will find all the arguments you need to understand why the game is what it is right now and why these changes are either preference like the visuals or mostly good for the game.

As long as we give constructive feedback instead of constant whining and hating the game will be good and as of this point in time there is no sign that it is on a bad way.