Decades after the events of ENDER LILIES, Homunculi — sorrowful, artificial life forms — roam the land. In this dark fantasy Metroidvania, face formidable enemies and explore a bewitching post-apocalyptic world. Humans and Homunculi — what awaits at the end of the quest for their salvation?
Players praise the revamped movement mechanics, noting a significant improvement over the original. Within the first hour, players obtain a double jump and dash ability, granting them far greater control and maneuverability during combat and exploration. The combat system has also been overhauled, allowing players to freely chain together attacks from their Homunculi companions. These artificial life forms now have unlimited uses for their abilities, with short cooldown periods instead of limited ammo. This flexibility encourages experimentation, as players discover synergies between the various Homunculi attacks.
Reviews highlight the tight, responsive feel of the combat. Gone are the frustrations of contact damage from enemies - players can now safely navigate through crowds without fear of taking incidental hits. This change, along with the ability to dodge and evade attacks, creates a much smoother and more satisfying gameplay experience. Boss encounters, while initially described as easier than the first game, still provide a sense of challenge and accomplishment when overcome. The developers have included difficulty options, allowing players to tailor the experience to their preferred level of challenge.
Navigating the game's world has been greatly improved thanks to the enhanced map system. Players no longer have to deal with abstract representations of areas, as the map now accurately depicts the actual layout and platforming challenges. The addition of fast travel further streamlines the exploration process, reducing tedious backtracking. As players progress, they can unlock new Homunculi abilities and equipment, providing a tangible sense of character growth and progression. This encourages thorough exploration, as players seek to uncover all of the game's secrets and upgrades.