Blaster Master Zero 2

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 228 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • music
Blaster Master Zero 2 Game Cover
A great game in terms of design and presentation, Blaster Master Zero 2 showcases how to do nostalgia right; by tweaking the familiar mechanics to the games advantage, making it feel fresh and unique.
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In "Blaster Master Zero 2," join Jason, Eve, and Fred on an intergalactic journey to find a cure for Eve's mutant infection. Traverse various planets in the new battle tank, G-SOPHIA, using the Gaia System to convert impact energy into SP for weapons. Experience the continuing story of Jason and Eve from the previous game in this side-scrolling/top-down action adventure.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 228 reviews
gameplay22 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • Blaster Master Zero 2 builds upon the original with improved gameplay mechanics, including a new counter system that adds depth to combat.
  • The game features a charming story with engaging characters, continuing the narrative from the first game in a satisfying way.
  • The visuals and soundtrack are enhanced, providing a nostalgic yet fresh experience that captures the essence of classic 8-bit games.
  • Some players find the difficulty spikes and certain boss fights to be frustrating, especially with the introduction of instant-death mechanics.
  • The weapon variety is criticized, as many weapons feel underpowered or situational, leading to reliance on a few effective options.
  • The level design can feel less interconnected compared to the first game, with some backtracking that may seem unnecessary to players.
  • gameplay101 mentions

    The gameplay of "Blaster Master Zero 2" has been praised for its improvements over the first game, featuring new mechanics like the counterattack system and the Gaia system, which enhance combat and exploration. While the game maintains a similar structure to its predecessor, it offers a more polished experience with imaginative level design and a variety of weapons, though some players found certain mechanics, such as boss battles and fall damage, to be frustrating. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and challenging, making it a satisfying sequel for fans of the series.

    • “The gameplay improvements were immediately noticeable.”
    • “The gameplay is heavily expanded from the first Blaster Master Zero, with the Gaia system and countering system while still maintaining the platforming/top-down action hybrid the series is known for.”
    • “The gameplay can get quite challenging at times; thankfully, there are lots of checkpoints scattered around so it doesn't get frustrating.”
    • “Unfortunately, the gameplay doesn't really hold up, and I'm going to divide it up into different sections because each has positives and negatives.”
    • “In the very first stage of this game, you have pinpoint platforming all over the place with some instant death pits, a lack of instructions for about 80% of the mechanics, indecipherable English for what it does explain, and even if you don't have a controller plugged in, the few control prompts the game does display are Xbox controls despite that they're colored like Switch buttons.”
    • “However, the gameplay is just a little tedious again, like the first.”
  • story82 mentions

    The story in this sequel to Blaster Master Zero is praised for its depth and engaging continuation from the first game, introducing new characters and unique alien worlds while maintaining a light-hearted tone. While some players found the plot to be a mix of enjoyable and cliché elements, the overall narrative is considered a significant improvement, with a more complex storyline and better character development. However, familiarity with the first game is essential for fully appreciating the sequel's story and gameplay dynamics.

    • “The story continues from the true ending of the first game but with a twist: Eve, a deuteragonist, has been infected by a mutant that took over her body and slowly destroys the cells.”
    • “The story is amazing; I enjoyed the gameplay and the development of the characters.”
    • “This game's story is unsurprisingly just as engaging as the last one, and with some new faces along the way to keep the story interesting.”
    • “The story starts to get wack.”
    • “The new NPCs aren't that interesting and exist only to force a shallow plot forward.”
    • “Oh yeah, and the story that was simple but serviceable in the original just goes full on shonen tropes here to a degree where it’s just horrible to read and look at.”
  • music51 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising it as a significant improvement over the previous installment, featuring dynamic and catchy 8-bit compositions that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players noted issues with high-pitched sounds that detracted from enjoyment, and there were complaints about the lack of a purchasable soundtrack. Overall, while the music is generally well-composed and memorable, it has its share of detractors.

    • “The music in this game is very good and, in my opinion, better than the first game.”
    • “The music is very well composed, providing its own kind of energy, from the upbeat track of the first planet to the more brooding tones of the dungeon areas, and the quick-paced boss battle theme that motivates you to take on the enemy's set of attacks.”
    • “The music in Blaster Master, even before Zero, has been one of its high points, and its main theme is very memorable and easy to recognize. The team behind the soundtrack in this game did an amazing job.”
    • “The game is superb, but this version has one major, major issue that won't affect everyone: most of this version's music has an ear-gratingly horrible high-pitched sound, starting right from the music playing in the main menu.”
    • “In addition to gameplay issues, there's one thing that I've never encountered before in any other game — all of the sounds and music in this game have weird high-pitched screeching notes in them, making it physically uncomfortable to play.”
    • “In the very first stage of this game you have pinpoint platforming all over the place with some instant death pits, a lack of instructions for about 80% of the mechanics, indecipherable English for what it does explain, and several sound effects and even one or two music tracks that seem to have broken through the audio limiter and are assaulting my ears with blown-out treble that's triggering my tinnitus.”
  • graphics30 mentions

    The graphics in this game have received significant praise for their noticeable upgrades from the original, featuring a blend of retro aesthetics with modern enhancements that maintain a nostalgic feel. Reviewers highlight the hand-crafted quality of the visuals, well-animated sprites, and a successful mix of 8-bit and 16-bit styles, making it visually appealing while still feeling true to its roots. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the gameplay experience, with many considering them top-notch in the context of the genre.

    • “This game got a noticeable upgrade in visuals.”
    • “Great visuals that stay true to the era while spicing things up with some more modern 2D effects when it benefits the game.”
    • “The graphics seem to be handcrafted, and even though there are some sprites reused from the first game, they don't clash and are extremely well animated.”
    • “I didn't love the graphics in this game as much.”
    • “Like the original, the graphics & sounds are based on 8 & 16-bit games, but it looks more like a Game Boy Advance title.”
    • “You cannot complain that BMZ2 will, in my opinion, age beautifully, even if it has not the best 3D graphics the market can offer.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some upgrades and exploration options reduce tedium, many report that boss battles and certain levels feel excessively tedious, particularly in the late game where backtracking and unclear mechanics can frustrate players. Despite these issues, some still enjoy the game, noting that exploration can be rewarding and less punishing than expected.

    • “The final level (unlocked by doing 3 backtracking fetch quests) is slow and tedious, introduces many new and unexplained mystical powers, requires an obtuse mechanic for defeating the penultimate boss, and leans heavily on anime tropes.”
    • “It just feels like there is excessive padding at the end to try to lengthen the game, which was already a bit tedious in the first place.”
    • “Though, to be fair, the exploration is tedious in general here.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, particularly in comparison to its predecessor, as players express disappointment over the lack of unlockable modes and the absence of a hard mode. While some potential for replay exists, it heavily relies on downloadable content, making the base game feel limited in this aspect.

    • “Though I haven’t tried them, there is replayability here.”
    • “There is also no hard mode like Destroyer mode from the first game, so replayability is limited to DLC content.”
    • “Also upon 100%ing the game, I was upset to see no unlimited or destroyer modes that you could unlock, so replay value is pretty low compared to the first game.”
    • “Without DLCs, replayability is nonexistent.”
    • “There is also no hard mode like destroyer mode from the first game, so replayability is limited to DLC content.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted to be less impressive, with reviewers feeling that it lacks depth, though they appreciate the music, graphics, story, and character design. Overall, while the aesthetic elements are praised, the growth and complexity of characters do not stand out significantly.

    • “I'm not easily impressed when it comes to world-building and character development, but this game truly stands out.”
    • “The good: the music, graphics, story, and character design.”
    • “I'm not easily impressed when it comes to world-building and character development; I can't really say much more than that without spoilers.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with anyone in the story.”
    • “I expected more from the character arcs, but they felt predictable and uninspired throughout the game.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by a character who humorously laments about taxes, framing it as a catalyst for a war against their ruler, which adds a comedic twist to the backstory. This blend of relatable grievances and absurdity resonates well with players, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

    • “There's a character who shares a backstory and hilariously complains about taxes, claiming it's unfair, which leads to a war against their ruler. It's just so funny!”
    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and absurd situations that keep you laughing throughout.”
    • “I love how the game uses clever puns and unexpected twists in the storyline to create laugh-out-loud moments.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The original music significantly enhances the game's atmosphere, effectively complementing various areas and scenes to create an immersive experience.

    • “The original soundtrack is phenomenal and helps create a great atmosphere for every area or scene it accompanies.”
    • “The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
    • “The attention to detail in the visuals and sound design creates a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is largely positive, with users noting a lack of intrusive advertising, allowing for a more seamless gaming experience.

    • “Pretty much no advertising on this release, it slipped by me.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without pushing for purchases.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

86% average critic score

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Play time

17hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
7-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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