Hands of Necromancy II is an action indie first-person shooter set in a dark fantasy world. Players control either the returning Necromancer or a new female character, each equipped with unique weapons, spells, and transformation abilities. The game emphasizes exploration across sprawling levels filled with enemies, secrets, and environmental hazards while using necromancy to raise fallen foes as allies.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on fast-paced combat combined with puzzle-like navigation and resource management. Movement feels quick yet slightly floaty, with options for melee and ranged attacks that require charging in early stages. Players collect health items, avoid falling damage, and hunt for keys to progress through linear yet maze-like stages. Destructible elements such as flammable trees, exploding barrels, breakable vases, and windows add layers to encounters, while new traps demand careful positioning.
Combat revolves around enchanted weapons and spells. Returning abilities include the Tornado Spell that launches enemies upward, the Ring of Ice that freezes targets, and the Unholy Hand Grenade for area blasts. The new character introduces a life-draining Dagger, a Bracelet of Fire that launches projectiles, and a Hell Grenade that fragments into smaller explosions. An improved necromancy system lets players raise defeated enemies to fight alongside them, turning hordes against their former allies.
As power grows, characters unlock monstrous transformations with distinct attack options and traversal perks. These forms allow passage through narrow gaps, underwater breathing, lava walking, or flight. Each playable character accesses different sets of these abilities, encouraging multiple playthroughs to experience varied approaches to the same levels.
Twenty-four levels spread across three chapters feature distinct environments including ancient castles, arid deserts, picturesque villages, and dreary caves. Twenty-six enemy types populate these areas, ranging from basic threats to more complex foes that require specific tactics. Four bosses cap the chapters with demanding confrontations that test mastery of weapons, spells, and transformations.
Game Modes
The game operates entirely in single-player format with no multiplayer components. Progression follows a campaign structure divided into three episodes that players select after an optional tutorial. Each episode contains multiple stages that emphasize exploration, combat, and backtracking through interconnected spaces.
Difficulty selection occurs before starting, with options labeled Apprentice, Experienced, and Master. These adjust enemy aggression, damage output, and resource availability without altering core mechanics. A random episode option exists for players who prefer less decision-making upfront.
Secrets scattered throughout levels reward thorough searching, while environmental interactions like flammable objects create opportunities for creative problem-solving during combat sequences. The structure supports replayability through character choice and difficulty scaling rather than separate modes.
Exploration and Progression
Levels encourage backtracking and discovery, with pathfinding enemies that actively pursue the player across open spaces. Transformations serve dual purposes in combat and navigation, opening shortcuts or bypassing obstacles that would otherwise block progress. The two characters provide contrasting experiences, as their distinct arsenals and monster forms alter how players approach the same environments and enemy groups.
Power progression ties directly to level completion and item collection, unlocking stronger spells and forms incrementally. This system rewards experimentation with different transformations during fights and exploration segments alike.
Is It Worth Playing?
Hands of Necromancy II delivers a focused single-player experience for those who enjoy classic-style first-person shooters with magical twists. The combination of necromancy mechanics, character-specific abilities, and detailed level design creates engaging loops of combat and discovery. Steam user reviews rate the game Very Positive based on feedback highlighting its atmospheric levels and satisfying progression.
The title suits players comfortable with exploration-heavy campaigns that require backtracking and secret hunting. Its indie scope keeps the content tight, with a clear beginning and end across the three chapters. Those seeking fast action paired with strategic summoning and shape-shifting will find the mechanics rewarding without unnecessary complexity.
