Andro Dunos 2
- March 24, 2022
- Picorinne Soft
Andro Dunos 2 is still a great time despite minor flaws, and a challenging one that is no pushover to one-credit.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Andro Dunos 2" is the sequel to the popular shoot 'em up arcade game from the 1990s. As the pilot of the Yellow Cherry, players must end a long-standing war with aliens using four distinct weapons, which can be upgraded throughout the game's side-scrolling levels. The game features music by renowned composer Allister Brimble and aims to recreate the classic shoot 'em up experience for fans of the genre.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Dreamcast
Nintendo 3ds
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Authentic retro presentation with vibrant graphics and a catchy soundtrack that captures the essence of classic shmups.
- Engaging gameplay with a variety of weapons and a strategic power-up system that enhances the experience.
- Smooth difficulty progression that makes the game accessible for both newcomers and veterans of the genre.
- Lacks multiplayer support and additional game modes, limiting replayability.
- Some stages may feel too easy, reducing the overall challenge for experienced players.
- The scoring system is flawed as continues do not reset the score, which undermines the competitive aspect of score chasing.
- music16 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy, diverse, and nostalgic 90's feel, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to immerse players in the action, with memorable melodies and fitting sound effects that complement the game's retro aesthetic. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
“The mechanical designs are detailed and cool, the backgrounds shift dramatically, and the soundtrack has a smooth feel to it that really gets you into the groove of shooting and dodging.”
“A fantastic shoot 'em up and an unbelievable soundtrack from the one and only Allister Brimble.”
“Enemy bosses are all fun, visually distinct and require careful thought on weapon selection and super-shot usage, especially when it's all punctuated with a catchy and diverse 90's feeling soundtrack that lingers with you as an earworm long after your play session.”
“Enemy bosses are all fun, visually distinct and require careful thought on weapon selection and super-shot usage, and each level gives the feeling of difference and progression, especially when it's all punctuated with a catchy and diverse 90's feeling soundtrack that lingers with you as an earworm long after your play session.”
“Old school shmup with a killer soundtrack!”
“Si te gusta el género de los matamarcianos con este juego vas a disfrutar, gráficos estilo retro, musicote y dificultad casi infernal.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics in Andro Dunos 2 are praised for their polished, vibrant pixel art that evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of 90s games, while also showcasing sophisticated design elements. Players appreciate the engaging visuals, which are complemented by a strong soundtrack and a variety of characterful sprites, making the overall aesthetic a highlight of the game. Despite some mixed opinions on certain graphical aspects compared to its predecessors, the game's visuals are generally considered a significant strength that enhances the gameplay experience.
“The graphics, the sound, and the simpler gameplay are all things I enjoy with this horizontal shmup.”
“It's a superb shmup, since the controls are tight and the visuals are jaw-dropping.”
“Graphics are vibrant, varied, and full of character.”
“Game play is improved with auto-fire and better use of special weapons, graphics and sound are sort of improved in some ways, but worse in others... ending up at a similar quality to the Neo Geo game.”
“The graphics, the sound and the simpler gameplay are all things I enjoy with this horizontal shmup.”
“Good challenge with pleasing sprite-based graphics.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by detailed mechanics and a smooth soundtrack that enhances the shooting and dodging experience. Players can strategically swap between unique weapons tailored for different enemies across various stages, with a well-balanced difficulty progression and the ability to level up weapons adding depth. However, some reviewers noted a desire for more game modes and challenges to further enrich the experience.
“The mechanical designs are detailed and cool, the backgrounds shift dramatically, and the soundtrack has a smooth feel to it that really gets you into the groove of shooting and dodging.”
“The weapons you can swap between feel unique and are better for certain situations, the timed power-up hyper shot adds mechanical depth besides just holding down the fire button, and being able to level up the weapons you like the most is super helpful.”
“Gameplay: dealing with ground, sea, and air enemies requires swapping weapons through each stage.”
“Continues were introduced into coin-ops for purely commercial purposes, but they are a contradiction for the gameplay of score-based games.”
“The gameplay has the right amount of complexity without being obtuse, having multiple weapons you can switch between as well as leveling them up at the end of a stage is a nice touch.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers replayability through a full campaign mode and individual stage selection for highscore challenges. However, the ability to carry over scores when using continues has been criticized as it undermines the competitive score-chasing aspect, which is essential for enhancing replay value in shooters.
“Replayability: you may choose from a full campaign or select a single stage to beat its high score.”
“The game offers a variety of modes and challenges that keep you coming back for more, enhancing its replayability.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the different strategies you can employ, making you want to replay levels to improve your score.”
“Okay then, I do like the game, but the devs have made a huge rookie mistake in my opinion. If you use a continue, your score carries over. It sounds subtle, but this little detail all but cripples the game for score chasing, a big ingredient of what makes shooters replayable.”
