Andro Dunos 2 Reviews
Andro Dunos II is a resounding success. That a small indie developer can bat alongside the likes of M2 and Platinum and, honestly, with greater overall success, is always uplifting. Further inspiring, is how - superficial IP notwithstanding - it manages to be so utterly exacting to arcade standards of the '90s, and at the same time feel breathtakingly original. Its craftsmanship, from weapon negotiations and experimentation, to the way each stage is cleverly built to aid a variety of approaches and play styles, is top notch. Andro Dunos II looks good, sounds great, and plays wonderfully.
Andro Dunos 2 is still a great time despite minor flaws, and a challenging one that is no pushover to one-credit.
Overall, Andro Dunos 2 is genuinely a brilliant shmup that feels like something that was released during this genre’s 90s heyday. From the gameplay, to the graphics and the music, Andro Dunos 2 is a pixel perfect shmup.
It’s shame that Andro Dunos 2 doesn’t have more modes. And a lack of online leaderboards and display options in this day and age is perplexing. But still, there’s a very well put together shoot ’em up here for anyone keen on some old-school action. It doesn’t do anything particularly new, but its gameplay truly shines, making this very much worth playing.
Andro Dunos II carries on the old-school Neo-Geo classic; almost to a fault. Its varied weaponry keeps things fresh, but there are far too many cheap shots for our liking.
Andro Dunos II is a solid side-scrolling shoot ‘em up that should please any fan of the original but one that also doesn’t have a lot going for it. It is very light on content in terms of modes and without it even having online leaderboards, you’ll probably be done with it in a couple hours. My overall stance on it is that it was fun while it lasted but I don’t think you need to rush out and play this shoot ‘em up right away.
The lack of online leaderboards is unfortunate, but the core gameplay and the interesting ways in which the stages scroll and enemies weave in and out, often appearing in the background first as a warning, makes for a satisfying way to spend a few hours. With a tough boss rush, three difficulty options, and a couple other secrets to unlock, it's fairly easy to recommend this one to those who enjoy a good side-scrolling shooter, with yours truly sitting firmly in that camp. It may not be revolutionary, but Andro Dunos II plays well enough and seems a worthy successor to its original iteration.
I absolutely recommend Andro Dunos 2 for any shoot 'em up fan. It may not be the most intricate or challenging example of the genre but its tight gameplay will push you to master the many enjoyable boss fights while taking in some impressive sights along the way.
The Switch has undoubtedly been blessed with a wide variety of retro shooters since release, pretty well representing all eras, tastes, and styles...
Unfortunately, the general package leaves a lot to be desired, as a good shooter is dragged down by a lack of options, with no local co-op, (despite the original game having it, oddly the only major thing from the OG game to not be improved on here) no border options, no visual display modes, and most disappointingly, no online leaderboards, which for a shooter in 2022 is a sad exclusion. Yeah, the main game has some minor frustrations such as enemies that surprise you from behind, and the latter half of the game leaning a bit too hard in the Bullet Hell realm, but all in all, you’ll still have a fun time with Andro Dunos II, and if you somehow grew up with the first game, this absolutely surpasses it in every possible way!
Small indie studio Picorinne Soft has made a sequel to a thirty-year-old game that feels faithful but original --one in which nostalgia or the passing of time never feel like a burden.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
While not perfect, Andro Dunos 2 is an excellent revival of Visco’s 16-bit shooter series that deserves your attention. With its killer retro-inspired presentation, driving music, and plenty of exhilarating boss battles to test your mettle, it’s a game that’s easy to recommend to anyone who has a passing interest in shoot-’em-ups. If nothing else, it makes me excited to see what else publisher PixelHeart has in the works for Visco’s other IP. If the upcoming Ganryu 2 is anywhere near as good, nostalgic Neo Geo fans should be in for a treat.
Great title for hardcore shmupers.