The best way to look at Spelunky 2 is that it is not reinventing the wheel, but it is bigger and better in every way. The original game was and still is a fantastic roguelike platformer that once it got it hooks in you, never let go. The sequel is truly tremendous stuff and if you liked the original, Spelunky I see there being no way that you will not like this as well.
How to Download Spelunky 2
To download the game from the PlayStation Store or from Steam, click on the Download button below this review.
The Game Review
This time around we play as the daughter of the dude from the first game. While it may not be heavy on story. Spelunky 2 has more than enough to drive you forward and it has that same charm as the first game. It looks fantastic and is one of the better looking 2D games of this year in my opinion. It has a neat little soundtrack too that compliments the action very well.
In terms of the gameplay, not a ton has changed here. You still want to get to the end of each level, but getting treasure and items is what you will be doing as you make your way to the exit. These levels are much larger than the first game, but in typical, Spelunky fashion, if you keep heading down, you will eventually find the exit.
What I really liked was that when you came to the end of a world, you get to pick from one of two places to go next. The levels are still full of randomness, but giving us this option adds even more to the replayability of the game. Spelunky 2 is the kind of game that demands you have played its predecessor. I say this because that opening level is brutally tough!
There is not exactly a ton of new groundbreaking content here, but the smaller things they have added overall make the experience that much better. One of the things that I loved was the mounts. These come in all shapes and sizes and will allow you to take an extra hit, but each mount has a special thing, such as a turkey being able to flap its wings so you descend slower.
Each level is full of cool things to find, but even more things to kill you! This is the kind of game where you are always learning. Sure, you may have stepped on the wrong tile and got hit with an arrow, but next time you know it is there! Like in the previous game, you will die a great deal here, but that is all part of the experience.
You start off with your whip, a few bombs, and ropes just like in the first game. As you progress, you come across some color folks who sell you useful things and also some strange folks who offer just ridiculous stuff like a skull! You always feel like you are working towards finding something cool in Spelunky 2 and that is why I can see people playing this for hundreds of hours just like they did the first game.
I know that some people might argue that the game plays it too safe. After all, they have not added in a ton of big new things and I can see that argument. However, they caught lightning in a bottle with the first game so I am glad that they did not mess with the formula too much.
I know it sounds like a cop-out to say this. However, the simple fact is that if you enjoyed Spelunky, you will enjoy Spelunky 2 even more. The little things that they have added here overall make this a better game. As much as I loved that first game, I do not think I could see myself going back to it after this.
