Guacamelee! 2 Reviews
The game actually puts more of a central focus on combat than a lot of Metroidvanias, too, with new areas often making you stop for a Lucha battle your first time through. These little combat challenges test various skills, from basic brawling to dealing with aerial foes to turning environmental hazards to your advantage. But where things get interesting, in my mind, is when you compare this to the first game. Because, see, I really liked the first Guacamelee. I thought it was a solid little game, but its single biggest problem was that it was slight and brief, over before I was done with it and kind of too easy for most of the experience. None of that is true in the sequel. Oh no. It starts off nice and low and lets you get used to things, but even early on, you've got these little optional challenge rooms to collect heart or mask pieces(for health and stamina, respectively) that give a real solid chunk of platforming to chew on. And the very last dungeon stands out as just plain brutal at times.
Guacamelee 2 gets lost trying to be too edgy, too funny and referential, falling into the pitfalls it tries to mock. Fun combat and smooth platforming lose their energy when you don't unlock any more abilities and end up doing exactly what you did in the first game.
Guacamelee! 2 is one of the best Metroidvanias on the market. The art style is fantastic. The writing is hilarious and will leave you in stitches on a whim. The world is diverse and chock-full of culture, life, and collectibles. And the game's unique focus on combat and precision platforming sets it apart from the pack. It's the kind of game you lose track of time while playing, and when it's over you'll just want more.
There’s an absolutely brilliant side quest that’s so tongue in cheek, it’s in danger of bursting through it. It’s hilarious in its deadpan, fourth wall breaking delivery that makes up for its usage of the word “dank”. I won’t spoil anymore, but it’s a testament to Drinkbox that they can take this all in stride and poke fun at themselves, the fans, the toxic community and the power of internet opinions and leave the player grinning throughout.
Of all the platformer games in the industry, there are few games with the essence of the old games that catch the player, both for its history and gameplay.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Guacamelee! 2 is not only a blast to play through but also one of the most stylish and recognizable Metroidvanias to date.
Without question, this is Drinkbox Studios best outing to date, and will propel them even further in the industry. With a writing style that is absolutely insane and a plethora of nods to pop culture and other video game franchises, a colorful art palette and beautiful graphics, to a soundtrack that is one of the best we’ve heard this year so far, you really owe it to yourself to play through Guacamelee 2.
This is a sequel that provides more of the brilliance of its predecessor, squeezing out an astonishing number of ideas from a familiar formula. A slick, challenging and tight action-platformer that further cements the series at the very height of its genre.
Caramba! Guacamelee! 2 takes everything that was good in the first part and makes it nicer, bigger and louder - as a bonus on-top there is a local co-op mode for four players. A must for all Metroidvania fans with PS4 or PC!
Review in German | Read full review
EB: You should play this sequel even if you missed the original thanks to its great homage to the Metroidvania genre.
Guacamelee! 2 is a deeply enjoyable mix of brawler and platformer on multiple levels. Drinkbox Studios has shown a clear mastery of its own iconic art style by bringing it to the next level with this strikingly beautiful game.
Guacamelee 2 is a stunning, slick platformer and a more than worthy successor to one of last-generation’s finest gems.
Guacamelee 2 builds on the same charm and platforming core as the first game.