Guacamelee! 2 is exactly the kind of game a sequel should be in terms of its gameplay. Everything that worked in the first is back, but there’s more added to the foundation. It adds new powers and abilities to Juan’s arsenal that make him a more versatile character. He is far more agile and user-friendly now than he was before, and the game features even more polish to the gameplay. It’s easier and more enjoyable to jump, attack and move around the world.
Rewards are sometimes a little paltry for the effort
Expert reviews and ratings
90
Everything about Guacamelee 2 comes off as smarter and more thoughtful than the first game, even while indulging in its self-aware shenanigans and Rick & Morty-esque dimensional hijinks. The game never stops finding new ways to hook you in, to the point that even the most painstaking and intensive playthroughs feel like they just fly by. Saving the numerous timelines in Guacamelee 2 is just as much about partaking in a marvel of devious, meticulous game design as it is about saving Juan and his family from peril.
Guacamelee 2 is one of the best executions of the Metroid formula. Juan’s adventure stands apart in a crowded genre, even if it stands apart in the same ways as his last outing. Combat is always exciting, the upgrades change the way you fight and navigate the world in meaningful ways, the world is well-designed, and the optional challenges are substantial and rewarding.
Guacamelee! 2 is exactly the kind of game a sequel should be in terms of its gameplay. Everything that worked in the first is back, but there’s more added to the foundation. It adds new powers and abilities to Juan’s arsenal that make him a more versatile character. He is far more agile and user-friendly now than he was before, and the game features even more polish to the gameplay. It’s easier and more enjoyable to jump, attack and move around the world.
Guacamelee 2 is stuffed with warmth and fun and charm, with every cutscene and side quest adding an extra layer of colour to an already vibrant story. Sure, the whole "Mexiverse" thing may feel a little contrived at times, but don't let that mislead you. Beneath the neon signs and Mariachi music beats the stone cold heart of a devilish Metroidvania that absolutely enchanted me... even if it did kick off with a bloody boss fight.
Guacamelee 2 is a hilarious, challenging, and rewarding follow-up to Drinkbox’s original. It expands on the first’s ideas in so many great ways, and marries a complex but understandable set of moves to both its combat and platforming. While a few more additional moves would have been nice, this new adventure offsets some of the saminess with wacky, one-off gameplay experiments that are often a blast to experience. The same can be said for the improvements in its storytelling, which come courtesy of a surprising amount of heart, and referential humor that’s is much more frequently earned and explored rather than left at surface level. Drinkbox has taken what could have been simply a rehash and pushed Guacamelee 2 to be better in nearly every facet.