Spirit Of The North 2 (PS5) | Review : A Quiet Adventure With A Few Bumps In The Snow

Spirit of the North 2 returns players to a serene, mystical world where nature, spirits, and quiet exploration take center stage. As the follow-up to the original cult favorite, this sequel expands the adventure with a larger open world, enhanced visuals, and new mechanics that aim to deepen the experience without overwhelming it.

Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer curious about its calming charm, Spirit of the North 2 offers a unique journey that blends beautiful landscapes, light puzzle-solving, and emotional storytelling, all through the eyes of a fox and his raven companion.

Spirit of the North 2 is now available on Steam, Epic Games Store, Playstation 5 and Xbox X | S & One for €29,99.

Story – A Quiet Journey Through  A Corrupt Land

In Spirit of the North 2, you’re a mystical fox, accompanied by a raven, and set out to purify a once beautiful world now tainted by corruption. The story unfolds without words, dialogue or narration, and lets players immerse themselves in the story through scattered objects such as scrolls and engravings. The objective? Restore the fallen guardian spirits and confront a dark force known as Grimnir.

The narrative is subtle, almost dreamlike. For players who like to piece things together from environmental clues, it’s a rewarding experience. But if you’re looking for a well-structured plot, the vague narrative may leave you with more questions than answers.

Gameplay – Relaxing, With A Few Frustrations

Gameplay is straightforward, favoring exploration and puzzle-solving over action. You roam vast open environments, unlocking abilities through a light skill tree and collecting mystical items to progress. While the puzzles are never too difficult, they do start to feel repetitive after a while. Boss battles offer some variety, mixing puzzle elements with a slight challenge, but don’t expect a traditional fight.

There’s plenty of backtracking and a healthy dose of running, sometimes in visually beautiful but functionally empty spaces. Wisps, which are required to unlock progress, can be frustrating to catch, and many mechanics are not clearly explained. Fast travel exists but is poorly introduced, and some players may find themselves wandering around more than they’d like.

Controls can also be hit or miss. The targeted jumping mechanism is useful for tricky platforms, but its sensitivity sometimes makes them unreliable. Although the experience is essentially meditative, these moments of awkwardness can make you forget the moment.

Graphics And Sound – A Beautiful, Immersive World

Visually, Spirit of the North 2 stands out. The Nordic-inspired world is painted with breathtaking environments, from snow-capped peaks to windswept valleys to glowing ancient ruins. Light effects and color contrasts turn even the simplest exploration into a real pleasure. This is the kind of game that encourages you to stop and soak it all in, especially with the photo mode at your disposal.

The sound design perfectly complements the images. Soft, ambient music builds up at key moments and fades out when necessary, letting the atmosphere speak for itself. The result is a calm, immersive atmosphere, ideal for players looking to relax.

This review was done on PS5 with a key offered by Merge Games.