Hylics 2 (v2020.08.26)

A surreal claymation odyssey unfolds across a strange, hostile world where the defeated tyrant Gibby may not be as gone as everyone believes. You control Wayne, a crescent-headed wanderer whose mission grows from a simple investigation into a bizarre campaign to stop Gibby’s followers from rebuilding their master. Hylics 2 is a turn-based RPG, but its real identity comes from its dreamlike presentation: scanned clay figures, chunky low-resolution textures, and stop-motion movement give every location and enemy an unsettling handmade character. The tone is funny, opaque, and occasionally unnerving, like an old cartoon transmitted from another dimension.

Wayne travels through interconnected 3D areas, recruiting a small party and uncovering the odd systems that govern this world. Exploration is far more active than in many traditional RPGs, with rolling, air dashes, and gliding opening routes through vertical environments and helping you reach hidden spaces. Battles use turn-based party combat against a varied roster of enemies, with abilities that feel deliberately strange while still rewarding smart choices about offense, survival, and momentum. Progression comes through expanding your crew, collecting useful resources, learning new combat options, and gaining the movement tools needed to push deeper into previously inaccessible regions.

What separates Hylics 2 from most indie RPGs is how completely its mechanics and aesthetics support its absurd atmosphere. The clay models are not merely a visual gimmick; their tactile, lurching animation makes the alien creatures and impossible architecture feel genuinely distinct from pixel-art RPG nostalgia. Its world encourages curiosity without burying the player in endless checklists, while the concise structure keeps the adventure from overstaying its welcome. Fans of EarthBound’s offbeat humor, OFF’s surreal mood, or classic turn-based RPG exploration should find plenty to enjoy, though players who need straightforward storytelling may find its deliberate weirdness harder to parse.