Anomaly 2
- May 14, 2013
- 11 bit studios
- 6h median play time
Anomaly 2’s campaign isn’t especially original, but its multiplayer provides a fresh take on tower defense gameplay.
Anomaly 2 is a real-time strategy game where players lead a military convoy through a post-apocalyptic world overrun by alien machines. The game features tower offense mechanics, allowing players to tactically plan their path and manage their units to complete objectives. A multiplayer mode is also included, where players can take control of the alien faction for strategic battles against human forces.
Reviews
- Anomaly 2 offers a unique twist on the tower defense genre by allowing players to control the attacking units, providing a fresh and engaging gameplay experience.
- The game features impressive graphics and sound design, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion.
- The ability to morph units into different forms adds strategic depth and variety to the gameplay, making each mission feel dynamic and challenging.
- The campaign is relatively short, with some players feeling it lacks replayability and depth compared to the original game.
- Many players have reported technical issues, particularly with the Linux version, making it unplayable for some users.
- The story and dialogue are often criticized as weak and unengaging, detracting from the overall experience.
- story147 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally considered weak and generic, revolving around a typical alien invasion theme, with many reviewers noting that it lacks depth and engaging plot devices. While the game features 14 missions with creative gameplay mechanics, the narrative is often overshadowed by the gameplay itself, leading to mixed feelings about its overall impact. Despite its shortcomings, some players found the missions to be enjoyable and the presentation to be above average, though the lack of save options and repetitive gameplay detracted from the experience for many.
“Actually a really interesting follow-up to the original Anomaly, with some intriguing story concepts that push the world from the first game forward, and some more fully fleshed-out mechanics.”
“The presentation of graphics, music, voice acting, and story is all very good.”
“The story is getting more and more interesting... it's a great sequel to Anomaly: Warzone Earth.”
“The story that this game tries to tell is more interesting, but as with the first, it's done with fairly weak dialogue and characterization, and the mid-level intrusions never quite feel 'worth it'.”
“The story is just a sliver below average, and really only there so players won't complain about there being no story.”
“One major flaw for me: you can't save during a mission, and the last ones can be long...”
- gameplay98 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Anomaly 2 is characterized by its unique reverse tower defense mechanics, enhanced by the introduction of unit morphing and creative mission designs that build on the original game's formula. While many players appreciate the polished and challenging gameplay, some find it repetitive and lacking in depth, particularly regarding unit abilities and the overall campaign length. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing and engaging experience, though opinions vary on its innovation and replayability.
“Its extremely unique gameplay mechanics are done well, and is worth picking up and trying.”
“A very good game which offers polished and enjoyable gameplay first, and which can propose a great challenge in later levels.”
“Anomaly 2 is a sequel done right: it takes all the great mechanics of the first game and turns them up a notch, adding new interesting elements without losing what made the original special.”
“Good idea overall, but when on the first level there is much more nonsense talk than gameplay... it's not my cup of tea, I guess.”
“The game is like reversed tower defense with a story, but the gameplay is boring.”
“Expendable abilities are super boring (repair, distract, disable, manual targeting), unit morphing just adds more to micromanagement, rather than bringing new mechanics.”
- graphics65 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users praising the artistic design, attention to detail, and overall visual fidelity. While some reviews noted that the graphics could be improved or were only mediocre in certain aspects, the majority highlighted significant enhancements compared to previous installments, particularly in creating immersive environments. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the gameplay experience, making it visually appealing and engaging for players.
“One of the most striking improvements is the visuals: while the original sent you through some nice but generic cityscapes, you're now smashing towers in post-apocalyptic wastelands coursed by mysterious metallic structures, as well as some very recognizable ruins.”
“It's attention to detail is really good, artistic design is great and graphical fidelity is more than enough.”
“The graphics are awesome and the maps have many options.”
“There are few skills, mediocre graphics, but in combination with a low price, it is quite possible to try.”
“Graphic improvement - sadly less in single-player content.”
“The graphics aren't the best but they're meant to be somewhat reminiscent of a satellite view, slightly off color, not quite photographic, but with a lot of details like ruined buildings, ruined vehicles, and so on.”
- music16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its quality and how well it complements the gameplay and graphics. The soundtrack is noted to be particularly impressive, with improvements over the original, while the voice acting also stands out. Overall, the combination of music, sound effects, and voice work contributes to a polished and engaging presentation.
“Again, the dev team that made this game made it spick and span; it's good looking, the voice acting is good, the gameplay is challenging and the soundtrack matches brilliantly.”
“Even the music is good, and the voice acting is better than in the original.”
“The presentation of graphics, music, voice acting and story is all very good.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players criticize the grinding aspect of the game, describing it as tedious and detracting from the overall enjoyment. Many feel that the time constraints and the need for precise paths make it frustrating, especially for casual gamers. Overall, the game is perceived more as a "grinding simulator" than an engaging experience, leading to recommendations against playing it for those who dislike repetitive tasks.
“Until this game becomes a game instead of a grinding simulator, I do not recommend it.”
“Even then, the devs did not take into account that players might feel a bit screwed when the timer breathes down your neck while you try to do something that requires 1 second less than the timer or the mission fails. This requires knowing one perfect path and grinding situations that are nigh impossible for casual players to even commit to.”
“There are too many tedious tasks that have lost the fun.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while the campaign can be completed in under ten hours and offers challenging higher difficulty levels, there is little incentive to replay it for rewards. However, the inclusion of multiplayer modes and strategic gameplay elements adds some replay value, despite the absence of a single-player skirmish mode. Overall, players may find limited replayability unless they engage in multiplayer.
“Scores are still here and they help by offering replayability value.”
“[Strategic, intelligent gameplay, new morphing feature, very replayable].”
“The whole campaign can be easily finished in less than ten hours, but can be very challenging at higher difficulty, although there is no replayability at all and no incentive to replay the game at a higher difficulty (nothing to gain from it apart from personal satisfaction).”
“The campaign took me around 6.5 hours, and although I'm disappointed there's no single-player skirmish mode, there is multiplayer to add replayability.”
“Anomaly 1 was more playable.”
- stability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally praised, with no detectable glitches reported by some users. However, others experience significant issues, particularly on Ubuntu, where constant glitches and loading freezes render the game unplayable after a certain level. Overall, while some players enjoy a smooth experience, others face frustrating stability problems.
“Keeps loading or freezes loading after the intro.”
“I love everything about it other than the fact that it has constant glitches in Ubuntu that makes it unplayable after a certain level.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its strong story presentation and voice acting, surpassing many sci-fi B-movies. However, some users feel it lacks the compelling atmosphere of the original installment, citing an open ending that leaves much unexplained. Overall, atmosphere is considered a crucial element of the experience.
“The story presentations, voice acting, and atmosphere are probably better than most sci-fi B movies.”
“It just doesn't have that atmosphere as the first one had for some reason, also the open ending explains nothing.”
“Atmosphere matters a lot.”
“Also, the story presentations, voice acting, and atmosphere are probably better than most sci-fi B movies.”
Critic Reviews
March of the machines -- Anomaly 2
A tough-as-nails tactical challenge is hard to find in today’s console market, and Anomaly 2 will probably be enough to scratch your strategical itch. Without a strong multiplayer community behind it though, I would say skip the PS4 release and head straight for PC if you have the means.
65%Anomaly 2 Review
Anomaly 2 preserves the unique twist its predecessor brought to the tower defense genre but does little to expand on what came before it.
70%Anomaly 2 Review
Anomaly 2’s campaign isn’t especially original, but its multiplayer provides a fresh take on tower defense gameplay.
80%