Just Vibes and Jumping Foxes – My Time with Spirit of the North 2

First things first—a huge thank you to Infuse Studio and Silver Lining Interactive for providing a review copy of Spirit of the North 2 to us over at thedailygamepad.net! We always appreciate the chance to explore these unique worlds and share our experiences with you all.

So, let’s talk about Spirit of the North 2—the sequel to the quiet indie gem that took a lot of people by surprise. Once again, you’re a lone fox (but this time, with a raven buddy!) on a quest to restore lost guardians and find your way back home in a world drenched in mystery, beauty, and a dash of Norse mythology.

Right off the bat, let me just say—this game is stunning. The environments feel like a moving painting, and the ambient music really sets the tone for a chill, introspective journey. It’s the kind of game you sink into after a long day, letting the world just wash over you.

And the customization? Super cute. You get to pick from three furs, five eye colors, and even adjust your fox’s weight and tail fluffiness (yes, fluffiness!). I named mine Stormy—because, obviously, Stormy the Fox just sounds majestic.

The game supports both keyboard/mouse and controller, though I had a little hiccup with my controller not being recognized after clicking outside the screen—worth noting if you’re playing on PC.

The gameplay itself leans more toward the relaxed side of things. Platforming is streamlined—when you see an icon turn blue, you tap, and boom, you land right where you’re supposed to. It takes the edge off for those who aren’t huge on precision platforming. That said, there are some moments where you have to make a run jump, and those don’t come with any indicators. And yes, I learned the hard way—there’s fall damage. You can die. (RIP Stormy.)

Thankfully, if you’ve broken any pots, the game remembers that after you respawn. Also, if you’re not happy with your fox’s look after the fact, you can head back to the menu and tweak their fur or eyes—super convenient.

There’s even a little Souls-inspired mechanic here: if you die with collectibles on you, they end up stored in a fox statue effigy that you can break open later to get your stuff back. Neat touch.

Some of the UI and menus are a bit unclear, though. For example, the game told me I could equip runes, but it looked like mine were already equipped and I couldn’t tell how to change them. It didn’t break the game for me, but it might confuse a few folks at first.

The story is told mostly through collectibles, which works well with the game’s serene tone. From what I gathered, there’s a goddess (or possibly a magical child?) named Eona who rides into the world on the back of a fox. She creates seven animal tribes—Stag, Raven, Sun Wolf, Moon Wolf, Ram, Fox, and Bear. Naturally, Bear gets a bit power-hungry, causes a war, and our fox ends up as the last hope for peace. No pressure, right?

One of the biggest pain points for me? The camera. It clips through stuff pretty often, which can be very stressful when you’re trying to make precise jumps. But overall, the visuals and music completely outweigh the jank here. Plus, the open world has lots of hidden goodies and secrets to discover if you feel like wandering off the path.

Oh—and pro tip: the game auto-saves when you exit, but if you’re like me and want that extra peace of mind, try to quit after finding a shrine.

Spirit of the North 2 is available now on PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 for $29.99. If you’re in the mood for something chill, cozy, and filled with quiet wonder, this fox’s journey might be exactly what you need.