CI Games has revealed a major combat overhaul for Lords of the Fallen II, introducing nearly twice as many weapon movesets, seamless weapon switching, expanded magic, and improved ranged combat. The announcement arrives as the Polish developer secures €28.6 million in financing to complete the game following its decision to end PC exclusivity with the Epic Games Store. The sequel remains scheduled for Q1 2027, with a simultaneous release planned across Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
The improvements were detailed in the latest Lifting the Veil development video, titled Steel & Sorcery, published on November 4, 2026. According to CI Games' official announcement, the sequel features almost 30 distinct weapon movesets compared with 15 in the 2023 game, adding new weapon classes, counterstrikes, repositioning attacks, and continuous combo chains. Players can now transition between single handed and double handed combat or switch between 2 different melee loadouts during an attack sequence without interrupting their combos.
The Quickfire system further expands combat flexibility by allowing players to equip 2 instant abilities per melee loadout. These abilities can include magic attacks, ranged projectiles, and temporary weapon enhancements, encouraging hybrid builds rather than forcing players to specialize in a single combat style. Magic users also gain access to 7 schools of sorcery, with up to 4 immediately available spells per catalyst and the ability to switch between 2 catalysts. The Sanguinarix can now restore mana, while ranged weapons receive unlimited basic ammunition, making dedicated ranged builds more viable throughout the campaign.
Lords of the Fallen II Combat Improvements
| Feature | Lords of the Fallen (2023) | Lords of the Fallen II |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon Movesets | 15 | Nearly 30 |
| Weapon Switching | Separate combat setups | Seamless switching during combos |
| Quickfire Abilities | No equivalent announced system | 2 per melee loadout |
| Magic | Existing spell system | 7 schools, up to 8 equipped spells across 2 catalysts |
| Ranged Ammunition | Limited ammunition resources | Unlimited basic ammunition |
| Weapon Upgrades | Conventional upgrade progression | Upgrade recovery for a small cost |
The expanded systems are intended to address feedback from the original game's community. CI Games has also integrated experienced Soulslike players into its development process through its Launch Creative Team, allowing dedicated players to provide regular feedback on combat, exploration, and character progression.
"We want players to feel like a Swiss Army sword, ready to draw from an arsenal of combat options at any moment."
— Quote by: Ryan Hill, Chief Creative Officer at CI Games
Alongside the gameplay improvements, CI Games has confirmed an important financial milestone. According to its October 30 investor filing, the company secured a €28.6 million syndicated loan from Erste Bank Polska and Bank Ochrony Środowiska. The financing will refinance existing debt while supporting ongoing operations, the completion of Lords of the Fallen II, and its release. Approximately 80% of the facility is backed by Poland's export credit agency KUKE, with repayment scheduled for August 31, 2027.
The agreement follows CI Games' separation from Epic Games Publishing in May 2026, which restored the developer's freedom to distribute the PC version through multiple storefronts. CI Games will publish the sequel independently while retaining Unreal Engine 5 and Epic Online Services for features including cross platform multiplayer and cooperative progression. Although the new financing supports the transition to independent publishing, the loan should not be interpreted as the game's total development budget.
CI Games appears to be addressing one of the most important aspects of a successful Soulslike: giving players meaningful combat options without sacrificing responsiveness. Seamless weapon switching, expanded magic, and more viable ranged builds could make Lords of the Fallen II considerably more flexible than its predecessor, particularly for players who enjoy experimenting with hybrid character builds.
The decision to abandon Epic Games Store exclusivity is equally significant. Launching simultaneously across multiple PC storefronts gives consumers greater freedom to choose where they purchase and manage their games, while allowing CI Games to control its publishing strategy. However, that independence also introduces financial responsibilities, with the company's new loan placing additional importance on the sequel's commercial performance.
Both developments represent encouraging decisions. Greater gameplay flexibility and greater storefront choice directly benefit players, but the real test will come when the game launches and its combat improvements can be evaluated through actual gameplay.
Are you more excited about Lords of the Fallen II's expanded combat system, or the decision to release the game on Steam from day 1 instead of remaining exclusive to the Epic Games Store?
