Azkend 2: The World Beneath

57%
Game Brain Score Based on 109 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Azkend 2: The World Beneath Game Cover
In pride of place on Azkend 2's feature list is the phrase "8 different backdrops!" and that really seems to be all you're playing the story mode for here - the chance to see a different barely animated backdrop before more puzzling is thrust upon you. Luckily, the game is not overly pricey at $7.99 and the alternate modes help to keep the interest up, with score chasing on the leaderboard always available to be relied upon to add some interest. With that said, match-3 games are generally good for relaxation, but with the control gremlins to contend with, this isn't one that we found to be terribly restful.
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Azkend 2: The World Beneath is a beautifully polished match-three adventure game set in an awe-inspiring underground world. Enjoy superbly smooth casual matching puzzle gameplay, an engaging storyline with voiceovers, and hidden object minigames.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Windows Phone
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 109 reviews
story19 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and engaging audio, enhancing the overall experience.
  • There is a variety of gameplay modes and power-ups that keep the match-3 mechanics fresh and interesting.
  • The game offers a challenging experience, especially in the later levels, which can be rewarding for players who enjoy difficult puzzles.
  • The difficulty spikes significantly in later levels, which can lead to frustration and a sense of unfairness.
  • The game lacks an untimed mode, making it less relaxing for players who prefer a more casual gaming experience.
  • Some players found the storyline to be silly and poorly executed, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • story56 mentions

    The game's story is generally perceived as short, silly, and lacking depth, with many players noting that it can be completed in under five hours and lacks significant replay value. While some appreciate the attempt to integrate a narrative into the gameplay, they often find the voice acting cheesy and the storyline choppy or nonsensical. Despite these criticisms, the visuals and music are praised, and some players still find enjoyment in the story as a backdrop to the puzzles.

    • “I love the story, the music, the way the game looks... I'm still playing it.”
    • “There's a storyline behind the game and each puzzle solved is a step closer to resolving the tale.”
    • “The story was nicely done and kept me interested long after I usually am with match games.”
    • “The story is completely silly and terribly acted.”
    • “The story is nonsensical, stupidly crafted, and just silly.”
    • “The only real downfall is the fact that the story is not very long.”
  • graphics48 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and crispness, with many users highlighting the impressive visual improvements over its predecessor. While the visuals are often described as stunning and well-executed, some players feel that the gameplay does not always match the high-quality graphics, leading to mixed opinions on overall value. Overall, the game's visuals are a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal despite some gameplay criticisms.

    • “The graphics are wonderful and the premise is unique.”
    • “First of all, the graphics for this game are amazing.”
    • “The presentation and graphics are superb.”
    • “The graphics and sounds are okay, but not enough to justify the steep price tag.”
    • “In terms of graphics and music, it is better than the first one, but it doesn't offer a fresh perspective on gameplay and plot.”
    • “Better graphics than the first one, but it heats my phone up to unnecessary temperatures very quickly.”
  • gameplay22 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its diversity, featuring various power-ups and level types that incorporate strategy, luck, and skill. While the mechanics remain largely similar to previous installments, with a focus on match-three puzzles, some players find the experience can become repetitive and simplistic over time. Despite its smooth execution and appealing graphics, the lack of significant innovation in gameplay may not justify the higher price point for some users.

    • “Very diverse gameplay with many different power-ups, several types of levels, some involving strategy, others luck or skill.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, the music is wonderful, and the developer just makes good games.”
    • “The story mode includes both 'classic' gameplay from the first Azkend, where making matches turns those tiles blue, and a new 'fog' version where you have to dispel fog from certain tiles by making matches on adjacent tiles.”
    • “Great game...price and repetitive gameplay = potential setbacks”
    • “The gameplay itself is pretty simple.”
    • “Good graphics and music but doesn't offer anything new to gameplay.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its originality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, fitting well with various scenarios throughout gameplay. Many reviewers noted the impressive soundtrack, which includes engaging audio tracks and voice acting, contributing to a more immersive experience. However, some players felt that while the music is enjoyable, it does not significantly elevate the gameplay, and a few found it repetitive or intrusive at times.

    • “The gameplay is smooth, the music is wonderful, and the developer just makes good games.”
    • “The music is also really good, and it fits the mood of the game in basically every scenario.”
    • “A new audio track with engaging music and even some spoken word segments round out the polish to this sequel.”
    • “Azkend's first sequel is a huge step up in graphics & music, but a step down for casual gaming.”
    • “The music was annoying and I could do without the sections where you match one image to the other, but otherwise it was fun.”
    • “In terms of graphics and music, it is better than the first one, but it doesn't offer a fresh perspective on gameplay and plot.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the achievement system and various modes that enhance replay value, many feel that once the story mode is completed, there is little incentive to revisit the game due to its lack of engaging content and challenging levels.

    • “Lots of replay value due to options to change mode and powerups.”
    • “The replay value for the game is low.”
    • “I can't see any replay value in this game once the story mode is completed, and the levels so far (level 4) don't appear to be that difficult, nor is the story that engaging.”
    • “The 'achievement' system it has adds a decent amount of replay value without feeling too repetitive.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The game is praised for its monetization model, as it features no intrusive ads or in-app purchases, which enhances the overall user experience. Players appreciate the absence of bad permissions and glitches, contributing to a positive perception of the game's value.

    • “On top of that, there's no bad permissions for this game, no ads (that I've seen), and no crazy glitches (that I've noticed so far).”
    • “I am not playing online, and as it is paid, there shouldn't be ads.”
    • “The fact that there are no intrusive permissions and no need for an in-app purchase to actually own the game (unlike a rash of new apps I've seen) automatically earns it 2 stars.”
    • “Added a star for no in-app purchases or ads.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game is stable with no significant glitches or intrusive ads, although some mention minor bugs that do not detract from the overall experience.

    • “Fun but buggy”
    • “On top of that, there's no bad permissions for this game, no ads (that I've seen) and no crazy glitches (that I've noticed so far).”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is well-optimized for HD screens, showcasing stunning details in both the board and background visuals.

    • “It appears optimized for HD screens like mine, and the details are stunning, both on the board and in the backgrounds.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

61% average critic score

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