Lords of the Fallen II

 
Blood on the lantern: what the sequel is chasing
Lords of the Fallen II picks up about a century after the 2023 reboot and doubles down on its best idea: two overlapping realms that reshape routes, encounters, and risk. Hexworks aims for a 2026 release and a sharper combat cadence—snappier recoveries, more assertive bosses, and cancels that reward pressure. The Umbral lamp isn’t a gimmick here; realm swapping opens bespoke paths, realm‑exclusive enemies, and traps that punish greedy clears. Co‑op returns with shared campaign progression and opt‑in PvP, so running the game with a friend no longer feels like a side mode.
How it plays
The loop remains Soulslike, just angrier. You build around weapons, catalysts, and spell schools, then stitch perks and infusions into a kit that survives both realities. In Axiom, spacing and posture rule. In Umbral, the rules bend—enemy behavior shifts, hazards stack, and shortcuts tempt disaster. The goal is agency: choose when to flip, when to force a stagger, and when to disappear. If Hexworks lands consistent hit reactions and boss scripting, this could be the version that finally feels as good as it looks.
Key features

Two‑realm traversal: Swap between Axiom and Umbral to find routes, secrets, and realm‑exclusive threats.
Meaner combat: Faster recoveries, tighter cancels, and bosses that punish passive play.
Shared‑progress co‑op: Finish the campaign together and keep the gains; opt‑in PvP for spice.
Deeper buildcraft: Broader stat spread, infusion paths, and expanded sorceries for hybrid kits.
UE5 presentation: High‑contrast gothic art with readable telegraphs and heavier VFX clarity.
Current‑gen focus: Target platforms are PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Context for veterans
The 2023 entry matured after a sweeping 2.0 update that fixed co‑op flow, balance, and netcode. Hexworks says that learning is baseline here. Expect a bigger Umbral, better encounter logic, and fewer edge‑case deaths. If you bounced off the first for feel, this sequel is the second chance worth taking.
Quick facts

Release Date: 2026 (TBA)
Developer: Hexworks (CI Games)
Genre: Action RPG, Soulslike
Setting: Gothic dark fantasy across Axiom and Umbral, ~100 years after LotF (2023)
Features: Two‑realm exploration, fast‑paced melee and sorcery, online co‑op with shared progression, optional PvP
Special Features: Realm‑exclusive routes and enemies, infusion‑heavy buildcraft, boss design tuned for aggression