Costume Quest 2 Reviews
While Costume Quest 2 does take some getting used to as far as its simple presentation and tricky battle system go, it's still an enjoyable sequel that fans will want to indulge in. Just be careful with the tricks that come along with these treats.
Costume Quest 2 is still a charming game. The writing, look and over all feel of the game had me constantly coming back, even when the combat and health mechanics dragged the game down a bit. Seeing all the new costumes and areas/time periods made me want to keep playing, and while the RPG elements are simplistic, there’s enough here for the casual RPG player. It has its missteps, but overall Costume Quest 2 is an improvement over the first game, and a pretty entertaining game that fans should really enjoy.
Costume Quest 2 isn't a long game - it took me around six hours to complete, including almost all the side quests - but even a short game can outstay its welcome, and while there is still a great concept at the core of Double Fine's Halloween series, if anything this sequel is even further away from nailing it than its predecessor. Shallow and repetitive, Costume Quest 2's winsome appearance and occasional wit never quite obscure the busywork at its core.
Costume Quest 2 improves on the first's combat and funny campaign, but the health and navigation systems need a revamp.
Even with all of its Halloween charm, Costume Quest 2's greatest strength is that it knows its limits. It's a short experience, and it's to it benefit as it never feels bloated. It's the quintessential bite-sized RPG, wrapped in all the Halloween charm you could ever hope for.
Costume Quest 2 makes key changes to the way battles unfold, removing the unique play style of each costume. The streamlined mechanics work to the game's advantage, especially when you are trying to focus on bonus attacks, as well as blocking and countering. The dialogue is well-written, but the last hour or so of the game falls short of expectations. Parts of the narrative aren't explained as well as they should be, and the last battle in the game occurs rather abruptly.
Halloween may be over, but you should take the chance to go trick-or-treating once again with Costume Quest 2.
If, like me, you love the Halloween time of year and are nostalgic for the days of trick or treating and sugar-fueled nights… pick up Costume Quest 2 for its budget price of fifteen bucks and make it a new tradition every year. You'll be glad you did.
Costume Quest 2 delivers more of the sweet RPG mechanics and smile-inducing humor from the 2011 sequel.
Costume Quest 2 still has that Double Fine charm and any game that includes a Blazing Saddles joke in 2014 is okay in my book.
Lightweight but inventive, Costume Quest 2 feels like a Pixar adventure masquerading as an RPG. It goes out of its way to keep things simple... perhaps too simple at times. But its simplicity is redeemed by its terrific art and wry sense of humor, and most importantly, the sheer fun of its premise.
Costume Quest 2 has a lot to like, especially with its fun gameplay and witty, clever story. It isn't a particularly long title, but the five hours I spent with it was a blast. Some framerate troubles persist here and there, and the trick-or-treat aspect can get redundant after a while, but the faults I had with the game are minimal compared to the overall experience. It's definitely a game that is not only a treat, but won't rot out your teeth after finishing it.
In other words, despite its combat being such a chore, take that on the chin and Costume Quest 2 just about finds its way to being the sort of game we want Double Fine to make – a puzzle-adventure with gags and fun characters silly ideas. Only just about, though. Is it a children's game? Yeah, but so what?