The heavy metal nightmare is spreading beyond PC. Slain 2: The Beast Within has officially been confirmed for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, bringing Steel Mantis’ blood-soaked action sequel to consoles alongside its previously announced PC release.
While console players will have to wait a little longer, those on PC can already get a taste of the carnage thanks to a newly released Steam demo.
Packed with brutal combat, gothic horror and the kind of thunderous soundtrack the original became known for, Slain 2 looks set to crank everything up another notch.
At A Glance
- Game: Slain 2: The Beast Within
- Developer: Steel Mantis
- Publisher: Silver Lining Interactive
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC (Steam)
- Release: TBA
- Demo: Available now on Steam
- Physical Edition: Confirmed for PlayStation 5 (£19.99 pre-order)
Prince Akran Takes Up The Fight
Set after the events of the original game, Slain 2: The Beast Within once again throws players into a grim fantasy world overrun by the demonic forces of Lord Vroll.
This time, players step into the role of Prince Akran, the last surviving Wolf Knight. Armed with the sentient sword Bathoryn, Akran must recover sacred relics capable of pushing back the darkness threatening to consume the land.
However, steel alone won’t always be enough. Hidden within Akran is a powerful curse that can be unleashed beneath the full moon, transforming him into a savage werewolf capable of tearing through enemies with claws and raw brutality.
Heavy Metal Combat Meets Beastly Power
Combat remains firmly at the heart of the experience, with players switching between precise swordplay and devastating beast form as situations demand.
Bathoryn once again grants access to elemental abilities, allowing players to wield fire, ice and other powers against increasingly dangerous enemies. Meanwhile, the werewolf transformation offers an entirely different style of combat built around speed, aggression and overwhelming force.
Across three handcrafted quests, players will battle through haunted castles, ghostly seas and nightmarish landscapes before facing an array of monstrous bosses, including witches, warlocks, ancient spirits and grotesque horrors.
Demo Available Now – Physical Edition Confirmed
Alongside the console announcement, Steel Mantis has also released a playable demo on Steam, giving PC players their first opportunity to experience the sequel ahead of launch.
Collectors also have something to celebrate. A physical PlayStation 5 edition has been confirmed, with pre-orders already available for £19.99, offering a welcome alternative at a time when boxed releases are becoming increasingly rare. We guess you heard about that though…
Building On A Cult Favourite
The original Slain: Back From Hell earned a loyal following thanks to its distinctive blend of pixel-art visuals, challenging combat and unapologetically heavy metal presentation.
When we reviewed it back in 2016, we said: “Slain: Back From Hell does one hell of a job reincarnating itself… The gore, the music and the gameplay reminds me of the brutal platformer games it takes so much inspiration from. Its 16-bit aesthetics are something you don’t see much of these days and it’s something we need more of… lots of blood, puzzles, metal and gore galore.“
Judging by this latest reveal, Slain 2: The Beast Within is aiming to build on those foundations with bigger battles, new transformation mechanics and an even darker world to carve through.
The game is currently in development for Xbox Series X|S (the Xbox Store page is up), PlayStation 5 and PC, with a release date still to be announced. We will, of course, keep you looped, but for now, check out the trailer.
