A new hero rises to challenge the Dealer in Hand of Fate 2! Master a living boardgame of infinitely replayable quests - unlock new cards, build your adventure, then defeat your foes in brutal real-time combat! Draw your cards, play your hand and discover your fate!
At the heart of the gameplay, players construct a deck of encounter cards and equipment before each quest. These cards represent the challenges, characters, and items they will face on their adventure. The deck-building allows players to strategically prepare for the specific obstacles of each quest, encouraging them to replay quests with different configurations to overcome new obstacles. As players complete quests, they unlock new cards to add to their deck, expanding the possibilities for future runs.
The core gameplay plays out like a living, digital board game. Players move their character token around a board made up of the encounter cards in their deck. Landing on each card reveals a new scenario or challenge, unfolding the story organically based on the player's decisions. This creates an unpredictable experience where the narrative branches in unexpected ways, determined by a blend of player agency and random chance.
When the player lands on an encounter card, they choose how to handle the situation. These can range from simple binary choices to complex minigames and puzzles. Outcomes depend on both the player's decisions and random chance, represented by dice rolls or card draws. Successfully navigating these encounters requires carefully weighing the risks and rewards of each option.
In addition to the card-based encounters, the game features real-time combat sequences. Players must use carefully timed blocks, dodges, and attacks to defeat their foes. While the combat has a methodical, skill-based approach, it integrates seamlessly with the deck-building and card encounter systems - the player's unlocked equipment and abilities can provide significant advantages in battle.
As players progress through the game's 22 unique narrative quests, they unlock new cards, companions, and other permanent upgrades to their deck and character. Optional "gold" challenges for each quest provide additional unlocks, further encouraging players to engage deeply with the systems to overcome increasingly difficult obstacles. This sense of continuous progression and character growth is a major draw of the experience.