Classic Commodore 64 game, Beyond the Ice Palace, gets a sequel 37 years later - with strong vibes of Castlevania and Metroidvania

Get ready for one of those surprises that no one expected, but that every retro gaming fan will love. After 37 years, the classic Beyond the Ice Palace, originally released in 1988 for the Commodore 64, has just received an official sequel — and the best part: with a completely Metroidvania vibe that directly references the golden days of Castlevania.

Beyond the Ice Palace 2 was released yesterday (5), practically without fanfare, but is already garnering praise from fans and nostalgic gamers. Available on Steam, with a 10% launch discount and "positive" reviews so far, the game promises to deliver action, challenges, and much more than just nostalgia.

Directly inspired by classics like Castlevania and Blasphemous, the new title brings intense combat, brutal bosses, platform puzzles, and of course: detailed pixel art graphics and an immersive soundtrack. And yes, there are whips — lots of whips — as the protagonist's main weapon, bringing that classic "16-bit action" flavor reminiscent of the SNES and Mega Drive era.

"If you enjoy Castlevania and Blasphemous, you will love this," says one of the first player reviews on Steam.
Another user adds: "The graphics and soundtrack are superb. This is much more inspired by Castlevania than the first Beyond the Ice Palace, and the whip has several fun combinations and uses in combat."

In addition to PC via Steam, Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is also already available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, making the experience accessible to players on all modern platforms.

Even though the original Beyond the Ice Palace never reached the legendary status of games like Metroid or Castlevania, this sequel seems to renew the legacy and bring the title back into the spotlight, now with a gameplay style that promises to please both longtime fans and newcomers.

"A great tribute to the action-adventure genre of the SNES era," wrote another player on Steam, highlighting the community's appreciation for the game's concept.

Key features of Beyond the Ice Palace 2:

• Metroidvania style with classic Castlevania elements.
• Detailed pixel art graphics and a soundtrack inspired by the 80s/90s.
• Whip combat system, including various attack variations.
• Challenging bosses and platform puzzles.
• Available on Steam (PC), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch.
• Launch promotional price with 10% discount.
   

Despite the understated release, Beyond the Ice Palace 2 is already being described as a worthy sequel, not only paying homage to the original Commodore 64 game, but also positioning itself as a new and fun experience within the Metroidvania genre.

For those who have been missing games with this old-school vibe, this could be one of the most pleasant surprises of 2025. And the question remains: are we witnessing the rebirth of more forgotten classics? If the success of this title is any indication, the ice that kept some franchises frozen for decades is finally beginning to melt.