@PC Gamer Hand of Fate 2 has received a significant patch that has added improvements to combat.

That's set to change with the latest update, which developers Defiant are calling "Combat reforged". Among its changes are improvements to responsiveness, "addressing a number of issues from sticky animation transitions to unreliable dodge vulnerability." They've also changed the way artifacts work—where before they all had a limited number of charges before they were used up for good, now some artifacts have uses-per-encounter that recharge between fights.

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Hand of Fate 2 has added mod support.

Hand of Fate 2 Game Master's Toolkit is now live!

Today’s Hand of Fate 2 update includes the HoF2 SDK - The Game Master’s Toolkit! These are the same tools used at Defiant to create the HoF2 campaign our future DLC content. They’re powerful content creation tools and we’re excited to see what you make with them! With the Game Master’s Toolkit, you’ll be able to create anything from a simple encounter all the way up to a full-fledged challenge with its own win conditions, blessings, curses and artefact rewards.

Important note: the tools are still in beta! While they’re fully functional, there may be unexpected issues to be patched later. If you do run into trouble, be sure to head over to the Modding Discussion Board in our Steam forums.

To get up and running with the toolkit, look for the Hand of Fate 2 SDK in the Tools dropdown of your Steam library. You’ll also need to download version 2017.2.1f1 of the Unity Engine, found here.[unity3d.com] More detailed instructions are contained here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1b38u34JAH-16A3PRC5y6fUe9ycGk851mTy5cgjohznY/edit?usp=sharing

Good luck! The Game of Life and Death is now in your capable hands!

The Xbox Hub has reviewed Hand of Fate 2:

Hand of Fate 2 Review

When the original Hand of Fate dropped onto the Xbox One almost three years ago, it came out of nowhere. The intriguing concept of being an action-RPG/card game hybrid was enough to draw me in, and seemingly many others were drawn in too as its success has lead to a sequel. Even though Hand of Fate is a good game, there’s plenty of room for improvement and Hand of Fate 2 hopes to build upon that. Have Defiant Development dealt us a better hand in Hand of Fate 2, or will we be hoping for a redraw?
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So overall, the surprise success has spawned a fitting sequel in Hand of Fate 2, with deeper RPG elements, interesting lore and some really great challenges which all feel different. The tabletop side and the new action elements blend together well to keep the excitement levels high, as do the new mini-games to test your nerve, skill and luck. The only things holding it back are the lame character customisation options, the annoying Dealer, and the amount of luck needed to succeed. It could also do with some additional enemy types thrown into the mix.

That still hasn’t stopped me going back for one more hand though, because I’ll show this mystical bloke that I am the master of my own fate. You should take the plunge and purchase Hand of Fate 2; it’s your destiny.

Score: 4/5

@GOG Hands of Fate 2 has received a free add-on.

The Dealer's Apprentice
This is a high-stakes game, where weapons, companions, and monsters will enter the fight as the cards dictate. The stakes just got a bit higher, and it looks like 2018 will bring even more content and challenges!
But who better to talk about the future of Hand of Fate 2 than the architects of the game? Read on!
"Today sees the release of the first of our free add-ons for Hand of Fate 2 - The Dealer's Apprentice! On starting a new run, players will unlock new Dealer-inspired customization options, while those who have completed the final challenge will be awarded the ultimate prize: a Dealer companion of their very own! To claim the Dealer's Apprentice, simply head into the new Additional Content menu item at the start screen and select "Claim".

The Dealer's Apprentice is just a tiny taste of the cool ways we'll be expanding Hand of Fate 2 in the new year. It's no secret that we've been working on a full-featured Endless Mode - one that will provide both hardcore and casual players with fresh challenges and a ton of new unlockables. Beyond that (and without spoiling too much), we've got a brand new enemy faction in the works, even more companion characters, engaging new challenges, and some exciting new weapons and artefacts, as well as cool tweaks to a few already in the game (why should Estrella be the only one able to enjoy those flintlock pistols, amiright?).

2018 is going to be a big year for Hand of Fate 2, so stick around, folks. We've got plenty of tricks still up our sleeves."

AusGamers checked out the card game Hand of Fate 2:

 

Hand of Fate 2 Review

I fucking hate Goblins.

Well, specifically Goblins accompanied by other enemy types, but on the whole, the thieving little terrors are super-annoying. They steal your shit, then run around you playing a sick game of keepings-off. And you need to chase them, which means you're likely doing your best to avoid those other enemy types, while trying to kill the Goblins just to keep your precious stuff from being stripped away from you, and all within a time limit. Problem is, playing chasey while being attacked from all angles and ‘managing’ your companion, at the same time, can feel a bit like spinning plates.

Nail these encounters, and you'll feel relief and maybe even empowered. But lose them and you can wind up with little-to-no coins, foodless, better-than-base-weapon-less or worse, dead.

And all because of fucking Goblins. (Though, once you hit Goblin Town, it’s all gravy.)
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In the end though, what you get with this budget, Australian-made title is a game with endless challenge, with a sense of direction not necessarily ever seen in a wholly-made local product, and a lot of fun. Anthony Skordi returning as the ‘beaten’ Dealer serves up arguably the best voice-acting performance of the year and the game’s overall presentation and polish, outside of the negatives mentioned above, belie the budget constraints Defiant likely faced. This mature and confident game development in a genre they’re pretty much crafting on their own at the moment. Honestly, I can’t recommend Hand of Fate 2 enough.

Score: 9.3/10

KGK has reviewed Hand of Fate 2:

Hand of Fate 2 - The KGK Review!

Having not played the previous installment in the series, Hand of Fate, as I’m not a fan of card based games, I decided to give the sequel, Hand of Fate 2 a chance. May as well keep an open mind and see what all the hype is about. It’s also worth noting, that I don’t board the hype train these days, as I can guarantee that they will derail for me in some way or another. So it’s with caution that I installed, then booted up Hand of Fate 2 wondering what lay ahead for me.

After the game had loaded, and shown me that I’d be face to face with a mysterious card dealer and story teller, who is fully voiced and covered in wraps to hide his identity, I realised that this was taking place in a dark, wooden caravan. The table at which you sit, is where the cards are placed, and this is where your adventure begins, and it was far from what I expected. Cards are taken from a deck and placed down in front of your where a small character to represent you will move along one card at a time. Seems reasonable enough and even though it’s not something I’d have ever imagined myself playing, considering something like this boring, I was entranced. Each card had a different effect on me, and the world around me. Would I find treasure, a place to stay on my journey, a troop of ne’er do wells to hand out justice too? I was genuinely intrigued, and wanted to find out more about the world around me.

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Overall, Hand of Fate 2 is a game unlike any other on Xbox One. There’s plenty of exploring to get yourself involved in, plenty of equipment to discover and unlock, and a mysterious man who doesn’t seem to have picked a side, and instead guides you gently further towards your end goal. I couldn’t recommend it more, even to those who wouldn’t normally consider purchasing a game like this. The price isn’t to be sniffed at either, and it’s a worthwhile investment. You will get your value for money, and once is all said and done, you won’t regret it.

Overall Score 9/10

Cultured Vultures checked out Hand of Fate 2:

Hand Of Fate 2 (PS4) REVIEW

This ain't your daddy's card game.

In terms of novel ideas, Hand of Fate 2 ranks pretty highly. The original game was a dungeon crawling RPG played out as a tabletop card game. Players would work their way through a board, revealing cards as they go. Each card represented a new encounter, a chance for loot, or something else entirely.

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Summary
The Dealer has returned for the second iteration of his card game, making Hand of Fate 2 a much more well-rounded and enjoyable experience. Though it’s not perfect, and the element of chance won’t be to everyone’s taste, Hand of Fate 2 is worth checking out for anyone with an interest in fantasy RPG’s.

Score: 8/10

TSA and Gamezone have reviewed Hand of Fate 2:

TSA:

If the combat were just a touch more dynamic, Hand of Fate 2 would be essential. As it stands, it’s still a great sequel and perfect for anyone wanting the thrills of an RPG without feeling loss. Defiant constantly prod players into the unknown and the results are always fun and rewarding.

Score: 8/10

Gamezone:

Hand of Fate 2 is a game that rewards skillful selection of cards to be put into a luck-of-the-draw situation. Set up good situations and hope that they play out the way you plan.

Score: 8.5/10

PushSquare has reviewed Hand of Fate 2:

Review: Hand of Fate 2 (PS4)

A mysterious dealer sits in a rickety wagon, casting your fate across the table in an ominous game of cards. He offers cryptic insight into the game itself while dictating your destiny as if it were preordained.

This is the basic premise of Hand Of Fate, Defiant Development’s brawler cum tabletop RPG. The dealer presents your hero's journey as a cosmic sequence of chance; familiar fantasy tropes, dice rolls, branching decisions, and random encounters litter your quest through series of increasingly fiendish levels. An ornate map in the corner of wagon contains 22 challenges, each of which forms a level of multi-tiered card mazes to traverse.
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Conclusion

Your fate is decided by a scattering of cards across a table; dice rolls mean death or fortune and your next step could warp you to an insurmountable brawl. Hand Of Fate’s mix of strategic planning, random chance, and meaty combat is both rewarding and addictive. Fighting lacks complexity and doesn't quite stand up to the eventual repetition, but this game within a game is still well worth your time overall.

Score: 8/10

Hand of Fate 2 will be released tomorrow - here are two pre-release reviews:

Gameplanet:

Hand of Fate 2 improves on its solid predecessor, but it's a couple of cards from a royal flush.

Score: 7/10 "Draw"

Finder:

Defiant Development has proven that the first Hand of Fate was far from a fluke. Hand of Fate 2 one-ups its predecessor in every way, delivering a unique and enthralling role-playing adventure that easily sits among the best games this country has produced.

Score: 9/10 "Amazing"

PC Gamer reports that Hand of Fate 2 will be released on November 7:

Hand of Fate 2 will be out in November, fourth companion revealed

Ariadne is a powerful melee warrior with 'boundless optimism.'

The action-RPG card game Hand of Fate 2 was announced last year as a "more nuanced" take on its predecessor, with a greater emphasis on smart deck building and a focus on "improving and expanding the concepts and systems of the original." Things seemed to be coming along well half a year later when we caught up with Defiant Development at PAX West 2016, and today the studio announced that the work is just about done, and the game will be out on November 7.

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Thanks henriquejr!

The deck building game Hand of Fate 2 will be released early 2017:

September 2016 Trailer:

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In the 100 years since Hand of Fate, the world has changed.
Coming Q1 2017-> Steam.

PC Gamer reports that a successor to the 2015 sleeper hit Hand of Fate has been announced:

Hand of Fate 2 doubles down on the original's cool concept

A little over a year ago I reviewed Hand of Fate, an action-RPG with deckbuilding strategy and a lot of tough choices. The concept was unique and clever—you create a deck from encounter and equipment cards, the dealer mixes in some nasty ones of his own, and then a dungeon path is dealt out for you to traverse, making risky decisions and fighting real-time battles along the way. Unfortunately, the experience got bogged down by frustrating balance issues and repetitive combat. Now, Defiant Development has announced Hand of Fate 2, a more nuanced action card game that puts the emphasis on smart deckbuilding, and the original game’s good idea may get the execution it deserves.

I got a chance to play an early demo at GDC last month, and I was pleased to find tweaks to the deckbuilding, the encounter designs, and the decisions the player needs to make. The sequel doesn’t feel drastically different, but focuses more on improving and expanding the concepts and systems of the original.

Hand of Fate 2 is basically a board game with a series of Oregon Trail-style encounters, each of which gives you dialogue options and choices—the more risk you take the greater the reward. Some of those encounters drop you into combat, which is real-time and very reminiscent of the Batman Arkham games. Each encounter is represented by a card and the dungeon you’re exploring is randomly dealt from the top of a deck, but you get to choose the majority of the cards in that deck, giving you certain level of control over which encounters you may run into.

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