Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Witchaven II: Blood Vengeance builds on the frantic first-person hack-and-slash action of its predecessor while introducing several welcome refinements. The dual-wielding system allows Grondoval the Witchbane to swing an axe in one hand and cast a fireball in the other, or block with a shield while bashing with a mace. This change alone adds a satisfying layer of tactical choice—do you focus on crowd control with spells or go in swinging steel? Combat feels weighty, and mastering the timing of weapon swings and block parries can turn a tight situation into a thrilling victory.

Level design in Blood Vengeance takes you through creepy castles, torchlit catacombs, and eerie forest glades, each filled with ambushes and hidden potions. Enemies range from shambling skeletons and snarling hounds to hellish imps and fire-breathing gargoyles. The Build engine editor integration lets players create custom arenas or redesign sections of Witchaven, extending replay value far beyond the main quest. Fan-made maps and mods can refresh the challenge, keeping the action as unpredictable as a trapdoor in a wizard’s lair.

Puzzle elements also pepper the adventure. You’ll find lever-activated gates, pressure plates, and rune-inscribed doors that demand you to explore every nook. While not as intricate as modern action-adventures, these environmental challenges break up the combat lulls and reward backtracking with secret weapons or health orbs. The pacing remains brisk—one moment you’re fending off a demonic horde, the next you’re searching for the key to a treasure chest or a mystical glyph to progress deeper into Cirae-Argoth’s stronghold.

Graphics

Powered by the classic Build engine, Witchaven II adopts a gritty, medieval-fantasy aesthetic that stands up surprisingly well for its era. Textures feature wood-planked floors, mossy stone walls, and splashes of blood that lend the world an oppressive, lived-in feel. Though sprite-based monsters can appear flat from certain angles, detailed animation frames—especially for boss encounters—convey powerful blows and monstrous transformations with palpable impact.

Lighting plays a vital role in atmosphere. Flickering torches cast uneasy shadows that can hide lethal foes, while glowing runes illuminate secret passages. The color palette shifts from the cold blues and grays of the abandoned Witchaven ruins to the fiery reds of demon-haunted battlegrounds. This visual contrast enhances the game’s mood swings, making you feel like you’re traversing realms of both despair and wrath.

Weapon and spell effects may seem rudimentary by today’s standards, but each fiery projectile or shimmering energy barrier pops off the screen in its own distinctive way. Gore splatter and weapon sparks punctuate every successful hit, underscoring the visceral nature of Grondoval’s quest. Add-on fan packs and the built-in level editor have produced more ambitious texture sets and lighting tweaks, demonstrating that even two-decade-old tech can still delight when used creatively.

Story

Witchaven II picks up the narrative immediately after the fall of Illwhyrin, tying the events of the first game into a grander tapestry of sisterhood, vengeance, and rescue. The plot kicks off when a mysterious golden dragon contacts Grondoval, warning that Illwhyrin’s sister, Cirae-Argoth, is gathering demonic legions to abduct Princess Elizabeth and ravage Stazhia. This “call to arms” unfolds over minimal but atmospheric cutscenes—more evocative than expository—allowing the gameplay to drive the story forward.

Dialogue is sparse yet purposeful, conveyed through on-screen text and brief character portraits. While you won’t find branching dialogue trees or elaborate cinematics here, the tale’s urgency comes through in your mission objectives: rescue innocents, vanquish the witch, and restore peace. Subplots hint at political intrigue within Stazhia’s royal court and the tragic backstory of Cirae-Argoth, leaving room for interpretation and encouraging players to imagine the broader lore.

Boss encounters punctuate each major act, dramatizing the conflict between Grondoval and Cirae-Argoth’s demonic champions. These set-pieces are more than damage sponges; they force you to combine dodges, spell triggers, and precise strikes under pressure. The final showdown against the vengeful witch herself ties gameplay and narrative neatly together, delivering a satisfying payoff to your perilous journey through blood-soaked halls and infernal realms.

Overall Experience

Witchaven II: Blood Vengeance may wear its Build-engine heritage on its sleeve, but it remains an engrossing medieval action romp. Its strength lies in relentless melee combat, creative level design, and the flexibility afforded by its integrated map editor. You’ll find yourself honing dual-wield combos, hunting for hidden secrets, and reliving epic moments crafted by fans long after the main quest is done.

Some modern players may stumble over dated controls or sprite-based visuals, but those willing to embrace retro charm will discover a game rich in atmosphere and challenge. The soundtrack and ambient effects—clang of steel, distant growls, crackle of arcane energy—immerse you in a world teetering on the edge of damnation. With optional user-made expansions, Blood Vengeance continues to inspire under the banner of old-school creativity.

For fans of visceral melee action and gothic fantasy, Witchaven II: Blood Vengeance offers a rewarding blend of story and mayhem. Whether you’re storming demon-infested castles solo or exploring community-made levels, this sequel takes everything that worked in the original and escalates it. Prepare to leap into the breach once more, wielding axe and spell with equal ferocity, and reclaim Stazhia from the clutches of Cirae-Argoth’s vengeance.

Retro Replay Score

6.4/10