Velocity 2X Reviews
Velocity 2X may be four-years-old at this point, but that doesn’t mean that the gameplay has passed its sell-by date. There’s a certain addictive quality to this ultra-fast reaction-based puzzle blaster that can risk making you feel useless at first until something in your brain finally clicks into beast mode. During the time that I spent with the game my fingers slipped, my brain momentarily lapsed, I swore a lot and blamed my age. However, once I did finally submit to the cockpit’s demands, it didn’t take long until I felt like a Jedi on a joyride.
On the whole there’s a lot of game here, and since both genres are well-represented it’s almost like a double bargain. The impressive thing is how well it all blends together with neither style clearly shining over the other and both genres being well-represented. The action is quick, smart, and often intense, making Velocity 2X memorable even in the wave of indies hitting the system every week. If you’re a self-respecting fan of action, it’s well worth checking out.
One of the better indie game on the market.
The actual story is pretty solid: After the events of the first game, one Lt. Kai Tana finds herself on the far side of a wormhole with vicious injuries. Her ship's repair systems attempt to keep her alive, integrating mechanical components into the very core of her being, and Kai eventually awakens to find herself with new abilities, and the would-be prisoner of an alien empire... This leads to the major twist of the gameplay. While the classic shmup gameplay is still here in spades, with the usual Velocity twists, 2x introduces a new element into the mix; sidescrolling platformer sections. At various points in stages, Kai can, and often must, exit her ship to go into a base and hunt down controls or resources.
Velocity 2X then remains an absolutely unmissable experience. The control issues may initially throw off the seasoned player, and you’ll have to adjust rather dramatically, even with a single button change it’s crazy the affect it has on your knowledge of the game. That being said, it’s still utterly, utterly brilliant.
"Full-speed forward."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Velocity 2X does a fantastic job of building upon what made the original game so great by introducing a new new style of game and managing to integrate it into the game like it was a natural fit all along.
Despite my issues with the game, I mostly enjoyed Velocity 2X. I can respect FuturLab for taking a chance with a complex control scheme, even if it didn’t entirely work. Coupled with a interesting plot and captivating characters, I’d still recommend this for fans of both genres. For $19.99, you get at least 10 hours of gameplay, and tons of extra stuff you can unlock. Just don’t go into it expecting a standard SHMUP or platformer, cause in many ways this feels more like a puzzle game. That said, I am glad this indie finally made the Switch, and I’m eager to see what else Curve Digital and the team have up their sleeves next time.
Velocity 2X is a truly characteristic video game capable of hosting two distinct gameplays in the same game formula. The challenge proposed by the developers is incredibly difficult, in fact users must necessarily have a pinch of patience to challenge all the spaceships with the Qwarp Jet and kill all the enemies impersonating the beautiful protagonist. The graphic sector, finally, highlights this small masterpiece and the soundtrack manages to satisfy the most demanding.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Velocity 2X is a great 2D action game that will reward any gamer that's up for the challenge.
Velocity 2X is a game that might not be for everyone, but it's certainly a nice pick for people looking to get lost
There are moments that can frustrate you if you are careless, but Velocity 2X also rewards the players who stick around. After hours upon hours just toying around with levels, I felt like an absolute boss nailing down every obstacle to a tee. Even now, I find myself experimenting and having a fantastic time doing so.
It feels really, really good playing Velocity 2X, whether you fly the teleporting spaceship, or run with the teleporting heroine - and all the while a pretty catchy set of tunes bop along. On the… not so bright side, though, the action can get a tad repetitive, and, somehow, this heavy focus on speed-running sort of damages what seems like the groundwork for a much more meatier experience.
Velocity 2X is an excellent digital title that delivers more than just a little substance for its modest price. While certain aspects could do with some slight refinements, i.e. some iffy controls and repetitive stages, the title as a whole is leagues better than most titles that claim to be as innovative as Velocity.
Velocity 2X has online leaderboards to keep players coming back for more, and with the inclusion of all previously released DLC as part of this Switch iteration of the game, this represents the most complete version of the title to date. It’s not an especially long experience, but length isn’t always the objective of a given game, nor is it always an indicator of quality. Velocity 2X is a delightful addition to the eShop exactly as is.
Velocity 2X is an awesome example of how shoot 'em up and platformer can share a coexistence. For people who find the typical shooter a bit dry and impersonal, the platforming sequences help to instill a sense of character and narrative that is refreshing for the genre. And for platformer veterans, the ability to jump into space adds a new dimension to a genre that often struggles to innovate. The result is a game that offers the best of both worlds while hiding some of their weaknesses.
Velocity 2X is the perfect example of simplicity with kick. The beautiful visuals and silky smooth animations never skip a beat, the music and overall artistry gives the game a singular appeal, the wonderful flow keeps us completely engaged, and for the most part, the game never skips a beat. You can't really avoid at least some semblance of repetition, and there isn't a gigantic difference between each gameplay segment, but that's okay.
Futurlabs have nailed two genres here with retro side-scrolling shoot em' ups and platforming thrown together to fantastic effect. Play the game at speed and you'll struggle to find a slicker experience on your PS4.
Futurlab made a bold claim that Velocity 2X is the game of the year 2014… They are not wrong.
Velocity 2X is a stellar 2D shooter that blends all sorts of different mechanics in a successful manner. Throw in the gorgeous visuals, the smooth framerate, and the imaginative design, and you have a winner. Sure, the controls take some getting used to and getting high scores requires dedication, but that doesn't weigh the game down all that much.