![]() ![]() Happily, our time spent tinkering with its incredible new set of systems (teleporting axolotls, anyone?) proves the sequel to be precisely the refinement of Spelunky’s magical propensity to surprise and delight that we were hoping for. To say we were ecstatic would be an understatement. And then the good people at Mossmouth agreed to let Edge Magazine (opens in new tab) be the first in the world to review it, and suddenly it was in our grasp within the day. The knowledge that Spelunky 2 – the sequel to one of the most influential indie games of all time, a Roguelike that set the benchmark for a whole new era of game design – would soon be in our hands was exciting enough. The unmistakable DNA of Spelunky is present from top to bottom, but with smart improvements/refinements.Spelunky 2 is so ambitious that even Derek Yu doesn't know what you'll find in its darkest depths (opens in new tab)īut there was one particular event this month that had everyone at Edge grinning from ear to ear more than anything else. And then stopping off at the shop can give even more tools to assist in that endeavor, like a webgun, teleporter, or spike shoes. Everyone has a strategy that they prefer but most will hone in on the tried and true approach of carrying an object to use to either spring traps or eliminate enemies. Spelunky has a way of convincing players that certain obstacles or enemies are manageable, but then an overlooked detail like a spider on the ceiling may completely derail things. ![]() The general setup is the same, so veterans should have an easier time progressing early on, but even they will have to adapt to the new traps and enemies. No doubt, Spelunky 2 is a harder game than the first. Mossmouth has clearly studied its playerbase to understand what would shake things up just enough to make the experience feel fresh but fair. Each run feels charming and varied, and every small eureka moment is exhilarating. Most of these new enemies feature completely unique behaviors that will force even hardcore Spelunky fans into trying new strategies. One of the new enemies, the hedgehog, burrows through the ground and can pop up right next to the player, preventing them from sitting on a pathway for too long. Spelunky 2 asks for a certain level of mastery but is happy to help you get there. Some of the classics have returned for Spelunky 2, like the spider, snake, and the wily shopkeeper, but there are a dozen or more new foes as well. Mossmouth has upped the ante when it comes to devices of death/injury in Spelunky 2 and one misstep can be the difference between a clean run through a zone and instant restart. Yes, speedrunners will be able to zip through Spelunky 2's levels in seconds, but the average player knows the dangers that lurk everywhere. Spelunky 2, like its predecessor, is all about the methodical approach. One wrong move and players restart from square one. A truly sensational effort from Mossmouth. ![]() Spelunky 2 takes what made the original so great, fixes that shortcoming, and leaves us with one of the best-made indie games you'll ever play. It’s charming, funny, polished, challenging, and incredibly rewarding when things work out for you. The original Spelunky's only obvious shortcoming was that its level design was somewhat limited. Going slowly lets players suss out danger, but the game has ways to punish those who linger for too long. Spelunky is now my favorite rogue-like game. Speeding through a level can lead to a quick death, since players start with only 4HP. They can go as fast or as slow as they like, but there is always a drawback to either approach. Spelunky 2 remains staunchly committed to its immaculate core design. Players work their way down past a number of enemies, traps, and obstacles while collecting gold to purchase useful items for offense, defense, traversal. The basics of Spelunky are completely intact for Spelunky 2. Spelunky 2 is better and more: there are more worlds, more secrets, interlocking paths, you can ride axolotls and rock dogs, and the causes of death have at least tripled. ![]() She must venture through four distinct biomes (each with around 4 stages) to try to find the mystery behind her parents' disappearance and maybe nab some treasure along the way. Although she has been warned not to follow her parents, the young girl ventures to the moon and finds a similar labyrinth of shifting "rooms" awaiting her. Spelunky 2 picks up many years after the original and puts players in control of the daughter of the main spelunker from the first game. ![]()
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