Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 66 | 41 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 68% | 65 | 65 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 68% | 65 | 57 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 18, 2025) · 57 reviews sampled · 33 total reviews in window · weighted 19.9 up / 9.5 down · computed 5h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (25)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a sequel to a game I hadn’t heard of from systems I never played. While it has traded in its weapon choice, the dark style remains intact. This sequel, 35 years in the making, may not necessarily appeal to fans of the original, but Castlevania fans should find enjoyment here.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“Storybird Studio invites us to save the kingdom from a demon invasion in Beyond the Ice Palace 2, a sequel that took more than 35 years to arrive. It can be an exciting and fun experience for those willing to overlook technical issues and accept some artificial difficulty, such as the lack of a checkpoint in certain sections of the game. Undoubtedly, with a little more polish, it could become a great Castlevania-like game.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Anyone expecting a solid, well-playable retro indie platformer with nice pixel art graphics should keep in mind that what they’ll actually get is more of a VGA-era platformer, one whose gameplay mechanics feel like they’re from the first half of the ’90s and don’t offer much beyond that. Beyond the Ice Palace II is truly retro through and through. For fans of the old Castlevania, which it most closely resembles, it may seem like an interesting title. In that case, add one point to the rating. For new players, it will be more of a chore.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Beyond The Ice Palace 2 is a fun-if-very-challenging linear-style 2D action platformer that may be plodding and methodical for some, but still enthralling for many of us who need their Castlevania jollies sated. For the rest of the world, it's going to make you break your controllers, especially in the latter half where checkpoints are very sparse.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a game full of heart and nostalgic charm, though held back by some technical and structural limitations. If you’re a casual gamer looking for a retro distraction, or a Metroidvania fan who enjoys uncovering indie hidden gems, you’ll likely find something to enjoy despite its flaws. It’s not a masterpiece, nor a genre-defining title, but it delivers a few hours of nostalgic adventure and plays nicely on the Steam Deck. It’s not perfect, but it’s sincere, and sometimes, that’s exactly what we look for in a game.”
read full review ↗ - 81
“While mechanically not perfect, this Metroidvania mixes a classic feel with an abundance of smart puzzles and works well”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a good choice for fans of the metroidvania genre, especially those who want something closer to the platform and action side of the old games.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“Beyond the Ice Palace 2 has nearly all the makings of a great action-platformer. It’s got gorgeous pixel art, satisfying combat, and music that sets up a brooding dark-fantasy tone. Some frustrating platforming sections and somewhat unresponsive controls hinder the game from attaining greatness. A quick refinement of these will make a 50-year-old somewhere very, very happy.”
read full review ↗ - 68
“Beyond The Ice Palace 2 isn't perfect, but it definitely has much to say about time and the gaming world as well as how things progress or regress while still staying a fun, nostalgic game with easy-to-grasp gameplay and great graphics alongside impressive world-building.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is the sequel no one expected, 35 years frozen in time, now reborn with nostalgia and a heart of ice. Its stiff controls feel straight out of the ‘80s, but beneath the frost lies gothic charm, slick chain combat, and rewarding exploration.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Overall then, Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is a competent entry in the modern ranks of Metroidvania-style games. The graphics and sound are a good selling point and provide atmosphere, and the boss battles are fun and generally challenging without being unfair. However, the general gameplay is all a bit slow and the traversal awkward, which prevents it from being a classic of the genre. Worth a go if you go mental for this stuff or you find it on sale, otherwise try the demo and see how you get on.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is not an easy game to love. Its stiff controls and punishing level design will turn away many players. But for those willing to push through its flaws, it offers a rewarding, nostalgia-driven challenge. In many ways, it captures the essence of old-school action platformers, tough, cryptic, and requiring patience to master. It’s not for everyone, but retro gaming fans may appreciate the icy gem buried beneath its rough exterior. I, for one, dug it.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
La Orden del Pixel
Gaming Professors
Kakuchopurei
Gamesource Italia
Nindie Spotlight
Pizza Fria
Gameffine
GamesCreed
Game8
Games Freezer
LadiesGamers.com…and 13 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- 🛠️ Beyond the Ice Palace 2 – Latest Patch Update Now Live! 🛠️Mar 18, 2025significant · resets scoring window