The first thing that happens is a big crash! Sharp rocks carve into the ships belly like butcher carving into a pig. With a jolt of forward momentum your small cage is flung into the inside of the ships hull and you're rendered unconscious. It's chaos, cold water is forcing it's way through the ships newly created opening and is literally ripping it apart, carving bigger breaches in the hull, tearing the vessel up like paper and dragging is down towards the ocean floor.
The sound of wood groaning and crying remains unheard as a tree falling in the woods, until it cries no more.
But somehow, with the help of some miracle, your cage is spared the ships fate, and you, together with you fellow prisoners, are slowly being guided by a gentle current towards a lone island.
Welcome to Legend of Grimrock 2!
What makes Grimrock 2 so great is the ever growing scale and the mystery that drives you ever forward. In the beginning you are more preoccupied with learning how to navigate the local "play area" and how not to get cornered by monsters. Later, finding descent gear, food, and health items. And even later still, trying to figure out how to get in this huge castle and why you have been brought to this island. Are you just here for some wizards entertainment or is there a greater purpose to all this.
The game never really slows down and though there are a few moments and rooms that halted my progress like a an egg hitting a brick wall, I would always return a few days later with a more tactical approach to overcome a difficult boss or monster-closet. (Except for the true last boss, that guy is bullshit and I find no enjoyment in trying to take him down. So eff that noise)
Eventually after conquering the whole island and all the caves, ruins, and dungeons, you have both a strong and well versed party, plus the skills to circle-strafe around enemies while drawing a spell-pattern to fireball them in the back. Something that was almost impossible at the the start, when it was not running into walls when you just wanted to turn.
What also sets Legend of Grimrock 2 apart from other titles is the map creator. There are several other fan-made campaigns you can download that rivals the main game in both puzzle design, map layout, and combat balance. Whenever I get bored and want a relaxing getaway, I usually download a new fan-dungeon and start exploring the deep and mysterious caverns.
Legend of Grimrock 2: a game for the ages.