Review for Spelunky 2. Game for PC and PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 15/09/2020 The version for PC came out on 29/09/2020
Spelunky is one of the first truly popular indie games. Arrived at the end of 2008 on PC as freeware, Derek Yu's game was so successful that it convinced Microsoft to publish a remake for Xbox 2012 among its Xbox Live Arcades in 360, a remake that then also arrived on Sony machines ( PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4) in 2013 and the following year.
Spelunky 2, released a couple of weeks ago on PlayStation 4 and coming to PC in a couple of days, is clearly the sequel to that remake.
Spelunky is a two-dimensional sliding platform (mostly) horizontal procedurally generated, so that each game is unique, even if there are still four reference worlds, characterized by settings and other peculiar characteristics. The goal is easy to say: starting from point A, you need to reach point B (the exit of the level), usually located lower. To make their way, the player has a standard kit at his disposal, consisting of a whip and some bombs and ropes, but can find other useful items around the schemes.
Among his sources of inspiration, we can mention not only the immortal Super Mario, but also the old Rick Dangerous and the fake old La-Mulana, released in 2005, but openly inspired by the MSX era. The random generation of levels brings him closer to the grumpy genre of roguelike, with which it also shares theno checkpoint, with the consequence that every death leads to start the game all over again. Inexorably. And you will die hundreds of times ...
The difficulty is one of the most evident - and for some discouraging - characteristics of the game, which adopts the very old modus operandi called trial and error, so dear to ancient gaming. The first tens of runs (lasting a few seconds or at most a few minutes) are used to get to know enemies, traps, power ups… in short, everything that goes beyond the tutorial commands. A hardcore approach that has rewarded the work of Derek Yu.
Spelunky 2, developed by Mossmouth (one-man studio of the aforementioned Derek Yu) and programmed by BlitWorks (which had taken care of the ports for Sony consoles), it does not set out in any way to revolutionize the formula that made its predecessor successful; on the other hand, its author has stated that he intends the sequels as "extensions of the previous games", so it is not surprising.
The first addition is the plot: we are on the Moon (which I thought was very different, Ed) looking not only for treasures, but also and above all for our family: Anna, in fact, is the daughter of the protagonist of the first game. Beyond these jokes, which do not impact the game, Spelunky 2 presents a whole series of additions and changes much more meaningful. Perhaps the main one is given byintroduction of mounts, however, also available for enemies: jumping on an animal (a tender dog, or a turkey, or much more), it is possible to tame it and then ride it, obtaining an important increase in one's mobility; of course, there are limitations (you cannot climb, for example), but it is also possible to keep the animal from one level to another.
Speaking of levels: in Spelunky 2 there are more, and the biomes have also increased, even if the variations on the theme are always the same, more or less: there is the volcanic world, there is the jungle and so on. However, the presence of crossroads (the first leads to the aforementioned worlds) dilutes linearity and predictability environments. Then, of course, there are still shortcuts and secret post-game levels that are very difficult to reach and overcome, but you will need a guide to get there. Or dozens of hours of experiments. Or superhuman abilities.
Is that enough to promote Spelunky 2 with flying colors? In our opinion, yes. The game definitely resembles its predecessor, and that's not bad since it was one of the best indies of the last decade. Everything that worked in Spelunky was brought into the sequel, flawlessly, starting with the control system. Some things have also been perfected - an example: in the online multiplayer mode, players are no longer limited in movement by the need to stay in the portion of the screen occupied by player one.
However, irremediably lacking that novelty effect which contributed to the success of Spelunky, which was part of a wave, so to speak, of hard and pure independent titles, such as Braid and, above all, Super Meat Boy. Spelunky 2 is also part of the list, but now it is not surprising.
Spelunky 2 is undoubtedly an excellent sequel, which does not invent (or reinvent anything), limiting itself to expanding the original formula with small adjustments and novelties more or less impacting on the gameplay. Once again you will have to arm yourself with a lot of patience and go into the caves, but the experience will prove to be rewarding.
► Spelunky 2 is a Platform-indie game developed by MossmouthGames BlitWorks and published by MossmouthGames for PC and PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 15/09/2020 The version for PC came out on 29/09/2020
