Guacamelee! 2 (2018)

Guacamelee 2 is everything Guacamelee was, but more. More moves, more enemies, more jokes, more dimensions and whatnot.

I found most of it quite fun, but had two issues which I didn't like so much: Some of the traversal puzzles were way too finicky for me, and frustration set as I tried to jump, flip worlds, launch from a wall and accurately land in a very short amount of time again and again and again. I can't remember which game was it that I played not long ago that after a certain number of deaths would suggest to you to skip a section. That would have saved me some finger pain. In addition, I found two or three times that I missed the right way to continue onward and I'd backtracked huge swathes of the map, got nowhere only to watch a walkthrough video showing I'd missed a small opening and now I have to traipse past back across a map (having to do again finicky jumping sections) back to where I last was.

With Guacamelee! 2 we come back to the world of Guacamelee! some time after the canon good ending of the first game. The game looks a little better and feels a tad more polished than the first. The game feels more linear than the first and now barely clings to the concept of Metroidvania. However now for better or worse the games puzzle-platforming seems to take central stage now.

The games combat is easy and largely unchanged from the first entry. Its a little easy but largely fine, enemies are mostly the same. The largest change is a greater focus on combat as a chicken, which is kind of a lark. The games boss fights are pretty easy, and should take at most two tries for even a below average player. None of the boss fights were particularly memorable and few compared with the better boss fights of the first game.

The game has a lot more platforming now, and on average I would say the platforming elements are harder. If you're an avid platformer player you'll probably enjoy these elements but for me they tended towards frustrating. Of special note, the second game has far more instant kill hazards than the first be it voids, spikes, or lava. Along with that prepare to see a five second wipe to black every time you encounter one of these hazards. Usually you get sent to the beginning of the puzzle as well. The chicken form gets used more often for the platforming elements, which was usually fun. Generally I found the platforming elements to be a drag.

The story is functional, if barebones. I found the villains less distinctive than the first. The game has a reduced number of side-quests to do in town which made them largely forgettable for me. More of the humour lands than the first one, many of the jokes are references so mileage may vary.

The game took me about nine and half hours to beat for basic playthrough. The game is longer than the first and for me was starting to wear out it's welcome by the end. I would also comment that each dungeon felt about a third too long. I'd rather the game had another major dungeon but each dungeon were slightly shorter. I felt some of the levels lacked the distinctiveness they had in the first game. Still most of the game's levels were good overall.

If you enjoyed Guacamelee! and are looking for more Guacamelee! 2 will be a good fit for you. If the first game didn't impress you, Guacamelee! 2 doesnt offer enough new things to be worth it. If you've never played either game and are looking for which one to try I'd recommend the first one over this.

Guac 2 is basically more of the same as it’s predecessor, with a couple of improvements. The level design and platforming challenges are equally excellent, as well as the exploration and map design. But this game also has better combat and comedic writing (my two biggest complaints with the first.)

It still has a dumb storyline that just rehashes the drama of the first entry. But the combat becomes challenging quicker, and there’s more mechanics introduced. The jokes land better (with many exceptions) but overall the game had a light and fun tone.

This series is pretty enjoyable, especially because the level design is top notch. I had a great time, but there’s not much beneath the surface here.

Metroidvania is one of those genres that I always come back to, and I haven't really found one I didn't enjoy. Guacamelee 2 is a solid experience in the genre, with some fun mechanics that set it apart, but still maintains a lot of what you've come to expect for the genre.

The story

I didn't play the first entry in the series, but the game opens with a fun recap scene that you get to play through, bringing you up to speed on the first game's story and conclusion. This rolls right into the story of Guacamelee 2, with the erstwhile hero being thrust back into the action again. The story is full of playfulness, jokes, self-deprecation, and even a secret hall of memes, and it never takes itself too seriously. In fact, it makes sure to do the opposite. That's one of the big pluses in my eyes!

The gameplay

This is one metroidvania that almost plays like a beat-em-up. You're a high-flying, super-powered luchador who gets to suplex and bodyslam Mexican-themed minions and folkloric devils, all while a combo counter rises in the corner! It's boatloads of fun to take on rooms full of enemies and watch that combo counter climb.

Finding secrets is an obvious hallmark of the genre, and those hidden walls and items abound here, with some being "locked" behind some challenging platforming sections. These were a nice respite from the general movement of the story. I enjoyed that the Chicken temples became increasingly difficult, but that final temple difficulty took such an insane spike that I quickly abandoned it.

Progression flows nicely, with power-ups unlocking from your various trainers as you earn money and progress the story. I did find that this eventually hit a plateau though, and started to drag a bit when combined with various backtracking through different zones.

The conclusion

Lots of fun, lots of laughs, lots of color. Worth your time!

I love Pollos! They are awesome, and this game does justice to them. Really, that's the best part of the game.

Besides that, Guacamelee 2 is a good game, but compared to the first one, I didn't see much improvement. It felt the same as the first game. Actually, I dare say that the first game is much more interesting and has a better story overall. Guacamelee 2 is filled with forgettable characters; I think I already forgot the main villain's name... Yes, I did forget...

On the other hand, I highly recommend this game if you are looking for some serious couch co-op fun! I don't think I would have had the patience to play this game on my own.

Guacamelee! 2 is a really fun and enjoyable Metroidvania, beautifully art directed but never taking itself too seriously.

I'm not sure why it falls slightly short of the original for me, which I adored on Vita back in 2013. Maybe that's the game's fault, or maybe my standards changed after playing games like Hollow Knight, Samus Returns and Gato Roboto. It's tough to say.

But this entry is incredibly solid and overall a great time. I'll play as many of these as DrinkBox wants to make.

Guacamelee 2 is like getting a slider version of the best burger in the city. It's still delicious, juicy, right ratio of meat / cheese / bun / lettuce / tomato / special sauce / pickles. It's still great! It's just too small and leaves you wanting more.

Guacamelee's formula is rock solid. A "Metroidvania" with constant ability unlocks bolstered by comprehensive platforming action with an absolutely gorgeous art style. Classically speaking, it is what people play games for. The only point of contention people really seem to have is the sense of humor... which I also like! Here is a joke from early on that made me laugh out loud.

I love it! It understands the medium it is using AND the joke is outstandingly dumb. It isn't as chuckle inducing as Shovel Knight for example, but it still gave me my jollies.

I do think the game has some pacing issues early on, but overall I unashamedly love this game. My main issue with Guacamelee 2 is it is over much too soon. The game sets up a three main dungeon structure, and it even cuts that short. You get two main dungeons followed by a closing area. There are certainly other things to do, but it ends up feeling a bit like eating crumbs because the meal was too small.

Drinkbox! I love you! I want as much Guacamelee as you are willing to give me. Just please give me more next time. I've been making a fool of myself licking my plate after the appetizers that are Guacamelee 1+2. I'm ready to pay full price for a Guacamelee 3 entree.

This is more like an addon rather than a sequel. It's still good but basically the same game.

Guacamele was a pretty good game despite certain flaws. This one follows the exact pattern and on its own I'd consider this a lot better than as a follow up. On that note, I'd suggest not playing this straight after the first one as it might be just too familiar.

The game is essentially a platformer metroidvania type of game. Where you play as a super luchadore trying to save the world or in this specific instance the mexiverse full of cheap jokes and memes.

Platforming is good and fun. Fighting with the use of special powers is challenging but rewarding and still fun. The fight system is where the game shines. Different combo combinations with super tight controls are really good. Same goes for platforming, some extra challenge rooms require quite a few tries to beat them but they're quite rewarding as well.

The story is silly, as is the whole world of the game. Bordering on culturally inappropriate humour. Full of puns and pop culture references. And it's a really mixed bag. I chuckled a few times - sure, but also wanted to face-palm myself from time to time. It's not as funny as it thinks it is.

Overall its a good game but I'd wish the devs would have went for something different than previously. Throwing the main character into different settings, greek or nordic would be much more interesting. As it stands you re-learn same moves as in the first game and fight the same enemies all over. Could have been better.

To adjectify it, it's prettier, longer, funnier, looser, fuller, easier & playfuller. It doesn't tower over its predecessor. It gives it a handshake & a hearty wrestle of which there's no victor.

Tripling down.

My biggest gaming crime of 2013 was writing off the original Guacamelee within the first 20 minutes. I wasn't keen on the artistic license of floating platforms - with the disposable cash, I can only assume, to support such a stupid conviction. My biggest crime of 2015 was writing it off after three hours of play. I got frustrated with the precision platforming required for an optional chest that I just couldn't let go. It's all or nothing with me it seems.

So with review code of the sequel in hand, I thought it only right that I repent and go all in. I finally played the two back to back. Guacamelee Gold, of course, as I unfortunately discovered too late, isn't the updated one. I think, however, I've since developed a sufficient appreciation of the UI, visual and mechanical overlap between the Turbo Edition and the sequel. Just as the reviews here might seem like a broken record of points I really wonder how I can add to, my double bill experience was very much a rerun in mostly the best possible sense, but also one that exposed the sequel in not always a positive light. It's definitely different.

Guacamelee is undoubtedly metroidvania excellence before the genre was steeped in yet more. The games are rich with robust combat and creative platforming whilst having the abilities required for both shared. This allows seamless bleeding of one into the other and adds real dynamism to the combat. Combat is a heavily encouraged chain combo affair of dodging, power moves and grappling to throw enemies at each other and hazards. This is complicated by requiring specific power moves or a dimension to then inflict damage, devilish arenas and challenging combinations of enemy types. Platforming by the end of both has such a dizzying wealth of options in an effective quadruple jump if you use your dash and uppercut, as well as wall running, dodging, flying and dimension-specific obstacles and platforms - it carves out endless potential that's then effectively capitalised on for engaging design. They have huge worlds filled with optional puzzles and hidden areas that demand specific powers and maybe even the limits of your ability to conquer. It has a lightheartedness and humour often unseen in other similar games (maybe Cave Story). clothed as it is in a very received idea depiction of Mexican culture, but in excellent humour and without overstepping the mark. They're just tremendous fun. 2 is such a similar beast, it can be dual-summarised easily in principle in a simple paragraph, it's true.

There's no actual way they get signal down there. He just sits and looks at his reflection.

With all the talk of this being a Guacamelee 1.5, I can't help but think the bar is simply set too high for sequels to ever surmount. The improvements are substantial and obvious from the outset. The presentation, thanks to that new rendering engine, is a gargantuan step up. Foreground and background details look ten times more detailed and colours are so darn vivid they burst off the screen unlike any other game I've ever played. This, supplementing as confident and stylish an artstyle as ever. Combat feels quicker and more responsive. The skill system is finally an interesting investment of satisfying requirements of various trainers. The enemy types have been doubled in subversive varieties and none feel out of place. The new soundtrack from the original composers and guests is predictably incredible. New mechanics are innumerable - from dimension shifts moving across the screen to yellow power move refresher orbs, timed spike platforms, bending platforms, time pressure and slow-motion enemies in combat, etc, etc. This is Guacamelee at its most playful and experimental. New mechanic after new mechanic being dropped into the mix and explored through expansion and evolution as it always did best.

There's certainly been somewhat of a tone change. The original was no stranger to humour, but the dial has been veritably pushed to eleven. Almost every free moment capitalises on the time for gags and references. No longer confined to posters, references consume whole gameplay sections - Limbo, Unfinished Swan, mobile games, turn-based games, etc. Nothing is safe. It's a satirical, very game-based self-awareness I wasn't expecting. One whole section lifts/paraphrases critical comments on the original's use of memes from the internet in what appears at first self-criticism and then seems more apologist - hilarious either way. I'm not sure I've laughed quite so much at a game for some time, but it won't be for everyone. Although it also capitalises on Mexican culture, its self-awareness and of gaming at large - injecting arcade ambience into some of its music, pushing gaming symbology, etc - push that further to the sidelines than it ever was before. It's a playfully weird decision, one that happened to work for me, but your mileage may vary.

On some fronts, like the humour and a reliance on precision platforming, it will frustrate some just like its predecessor. It seems to carry over, however, especially in the case of combat and some platforming, some of the Turbo Edition tweaks to difficulty. Unlike the Gold original, a section would only take me a few attempts to get past. Nor did bosses provide a significant block at any point to progress.

Steam devs after the indiepocalypse will have to share one big poncho.

In fact, as well as the inherent frustration that comes with retreading a lot of old ground with the slow road to regaining your powers of old, the difficulty in both combat and platforming actually seems overly lenient. On the combat side, upgrades imbue you with perhaps too much fist power. Super variants of the power abilities will annihilate many enemies in one or two strikes, which means later in the game you'll have no need to string combos together like you're taught in the excellent training rooms like Guacamelee of old (on normal at least). It assays to balance this by throwing more and a deadly synergy of types of enemies at you. It can work. Especially with the new insta-death timer enemies providing a welcome time and place pressure on you. Still, blasting through single enemies doesn't sit right with me. The platforming on the other hand, as I found with the first, gets to its most interesting when you gain the ability to run up walls and fly laterally from them. This is also when it reaches peak difficulty. I indulged every optional chest I came across, so I imagine some of the variation and difficulty in these helps even out the easier ride the route to the objective delivers.

With its new-found experimental chops it does have, though, it works in platforming sections into combat arenas and vice versa in increasingly novel ways. There's a lot of creativity and confidence on show here that I can only imagine is sequel-borne. The full realisation of the chicken form's abilities - making it an equal - is a masterstroke. Not only is it (and the chicken Illuminati) hilarious, but it almost doubles the mechanical wherewithal of the game. I only wish there had been more occasions the game took advantage of quick changes between the two and on top of that point, the full suite of abilities. I feel there are more challenging levels that could be born from what they've built here for sure. Workshop support? Pollo edition?

Supposed easier ride aside, there's a weird mix of design principles butting heads in the green thorns and various lava, spikes, dimension rips and otherwise red obstacles. The green thorns that predominated the original, would cleverly reset you to your last platform so you can recommence without skipping a beat. Other obstacles that are now here in a big way in both combat arenas and platforming, simply kill you and send you back to the last checkpoint - either where you saved or at its most generous, at the beginning of the room.

I like the devs being so transparent with their update schedule.

Now, these are clearly justified when the player failing demands the room be reset - if there are enemies that need to be respawned, for example. Too often this isn't the case. In fact, whole rooms will look like a salad of red and green. Since so much of the game is so impeccably designed, I wonder what the reasoning was behind it. Is it a gradation of penalty for how difficult a smidge of platforming is to perform? That would be some fine detail to the point of absurdity and highly unlikely. It doesn't work for the exact reason their original solution did. It breaks up the flow, it increases the time to get back to the same missed jump and it magnifies frustration.

Talking of confused design principles, it's a small thing, but it was always nice to be introduced to abilities and dangers by characters speaking to you. The yellow orb ability refresher is introduced by a box of text. It seemed another weird moment the ball was dropped. Unless a phantom character I forgot about an hour ago was the real conduit out of sight?

It's also longer. Objectively longer by a quite a few hours (it took me almost double the playtime), but it also feels longer. Guacamelee felt like it utilised its story to perfectly break up only a few combat arenas or platforming sections at a time. In Guacamelee 2, both the story and I got veritably lost. The temples, the utter labyrinths that all the areas are (the game is truly massive), are too long. Single sections will just drag on. With the chicken now fully outfitted with abilities to earn and introductions and cadences of all the different abilities and obstacles to flesh out, areas just have to be large to fit it all in. It can just feel endless.

Bunch of eggheads.

It's only an issue, I think, because the story itself doesn't feel any larger than the first. It's just stretched. And so in the end, the story doesn't quite land. The concept of the mexiverse is itself so enticing and it's the perfect platform for some good gags, but it doesn't particularly go anywhere other than every bad guy's perforce demise. Part of me was hoping Salvador would end up being Juan - your Juan being an inexperienced luchador having to rise up to stop him. It would have nicely explained the gameplay retread (although becoming an out of shape parent does an okay job of that too). Less a criticism and more of a preference. Even though it sinned by used the damsel trope, the original was overall a much more focused adventure of removing the henchmen one by one. At least we got the titular holy guacamole in there this time!

I didn't get to try the four-player co-op, but it looks like it turns the game into a delightful farce, with just enough of a guiding hand with the use of coloured floating bubbles and teleporting players upon entry into a new area, etc, to prevent a full descent into madness. More of its added playfulness on show. It's a shame online play isn't in play, but I think the sheer intensity and tendency of control to swing into one player's hands might have lead only to frustration. Also, they mocked this criticism in-game, and I don't want to a target of Guacemelee 3's satirical chops!

Guacamelee 2, to adjectify it (which is what I'm here for, I think), is a prettier, longer, fuller, funnier, looser, slacker, easier, playfuller (actually legit), satire (just about!) of a sequel that preserves so much of the good of the original whilst going veritably nuts with its humour and some of its novel exploration of mechanics. It doesn't pale in comparison to its predecessor or tower over it as much as it shakes its hand and gives it a hearty wrestle - of which there is no victor.

Guacamelee! was one of my favorite games when it came out, during a time where new Metroidvanias were far less common. I thought its combat and platforming were great and the universe and humor was charming.

Fast-forward to 2018, a year in which Metroidvanias is the reigning genre for indie games to an overwhelming and sometimes even obnoxious degree. Now don't get me wrong, this is probably my favorite genre and far from me the thought of poopooing this ubiquitous renaissance. However, this avalanche of titles has made me far pickier and less forgiving of some of these games's flaws.

In 2018, I played Hollow Knight and Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom for the first time, and they immediately catapulted to the very top of the pack, as well as redefined what I now look for in Metroidvanias. Add to that list genre-bending delights like SteamWorld Dig 2, The Messenger, or Yoku's Island Express, and the bar for what can be accomplished has significantly been raised in the past few years.

So it was with this in mind that I embarked to play the sequel to a game I thoroughly enjoyed. There is nothing I disliked in Guacamelee 2, except maybe one meta joke too many (although some of these, like the reluctant Mimic, or the "why can't Guacamelee crawl?" accomplishment were absolutely masterful), but there is also nothing I particurlaly loved. It felt far too similar to the first game, with a couple of mechanical improvements, but with none of the originality, none of the fresh gameplay idea that recent greats have come up with.

I enjoyed the 10 hours I spent playing the game, and if you are a fan of the genre who has already played the other titles I mentioned above and want to scratch that power-upping, backtracking, map-unveiling itch, than I can easily recommend this game. If not, do yourself a favor and pick up Hollow Knight and Monster Boy as soon as possible.

Did you know that Guacamelee and its sequel are two of Anita Saarkesian favorite games?

I just heard a podcast where she RAVES and explains how much she loves this games. She's obviously critical of some of its elements (the first one being about a damsel in distress and the fact that are games about mexicans made by a mostly white team), but it's still cool to hear her so passionate about a game. (I like her work, but always hoped her tone wasn't that cold).

Pueden leer mi review completo de Guacamelee! 2 en Gamerfocus.co (It's in spanish).

Me dejé muchas cosas en el tintero. Quería comentar más sobre la historia y el diseño de niveles, pero mi editor me mata si le envío algo de más de 1200 palabras.

If you didn't understood that, sorry. Enjoy this screenshot instead.