Costume Quest 2

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 687 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Costume Quest 2 Game Cover
Costume Quest 2 delivers more of the sweet RPG mechanics and smile-inducing humor from the 2011 sequel. Our review.
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In Costume Quest 2, players join Wren and Reynold on their adventure through time to save Halloween from the evil Dr. Orel White. Using magical Halloween costumes, they explore environments, battle enemies, and solve puzzles to progress through the story. This turn-based RPG features a unique blend of humor, creativity, and nostalgia that will appeal to players of all ages.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
  • Xbox Game Pass
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 687 reviews
story188 positive mentions
grinding31 negative mentions
  • Charming and engaging story that continues from the first game, with fun characters and humor.
  • Improved combat mechanics with the introduction of Creepy Treat cards and combo attacks, adding more strategy to battles.
  • Endearing art style and atmosphere that captures the Halloween spirit, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
  • Combat can become repetitive and lacks depth, with battles feeling tedious over time.
  • Removal of auto-healing after battles leads to unnecessary backtracking to fountains, which can disrupt gameplay flow.
  • Some players may find the new card system less enjoyable compared to the original's battle stamps, reducing customization options.
  • story704 mentions

    The story of *Costume Quest 2* continues directly from its predecessor, featuring a whimsical and humorous narrative centered around time travel and an evil dentist intent on eradicating Halloween. While some players found the plot engaging and filled with charm, others felt it lacked the depth and originality of the first game, leading to mixed reviews about its overall impact. Overall, the sequel maintains a lighthearted tone and offers nostalgic callbacks for fans of the original, though it may not fully capture the same magic.

    • “The story is fun, wacky, and cute.”
    • “The story flows freely from one game to the other and is engaging.”
    • “The story is clever and moves on from the first with just enough nods and references to induce nostalgia.”
    • “The story is cliche to say the least.”
    • “The story isn't quite as cheesy as the first game, but it definitely has some of those time traveling story tropes.”
    • “While the story of Costume Quest 2 is meant to continue on from the first game, and is meant to embody the same style, I would say that this sequel is not quite as strong as the original.”
  • gameplay162 mentions

    The gameplay in Costume Quest 2 retains the core mechanics of its predecessor, featuring turn-based combat and exploration, but introduces new elements like the creepy treat card system and improved combat mechanics that add some depth. While some players appreciate the enhancements and charm, others find the changes, such as the removal of passive buffs and the repetitive nature of battles, detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, lighthearted RPG suitable for all ages, though it may not offer significant innovation compared to the first installment.

    • “Such a wonderful atmosphere, fun gameplay, and charming story.”
    • “The turn-based combat system remains accessible yet strategic, keeping the gameplay engaging for all ages.”
    • “The main difference between the two Costume Quest games mostly lies in story and settings, and not much on gameplay that is very similar.”
    • “The gameplay is similar to Costume Quest 1, but the new combat system was awful and borderline annoying.”
    • “Not enough goofiness, plenty of turns to hate the new combat mechanics... they somehow managed to make it worse, enemies are just bullet sponges, changing battle stamps to creepy treats was a huge misstep, the game would be 50% faster if the fights weren't so long and boring.”
    • “The combat is somewhat more involved this time, but it adds a really annoying mechanic with the removal of post-battle healing, forcing you to backtrack to a fountain (or to eat some candy).”
  • humor99 mentions

    The humor in "Costume Quest 2" is widely praised for its fun, whimsical writing and clever puns, appealing to both children and adults. Players enjoy the charming Halloween setting, endearing characters, and the game's lighthearted tone, although some feel it lacks the depth and charm of its predecessor. Overall, the humor is a standout feature, making the game an enjoyable experience filled with laugh-out-loud moments.

    • “The humor is sharp, the characters are endearing, and the art style maintains its vibrant and playful allure.”
    • “The writing is fun and humorous, and the Halloween setting is charming.”
    • “Costume Quest 2 is a hilarious and charming adventure in the spirit of Halloween.”
  • graphics92 mentions

    The graphics of Costume Quest 2 have received positive feedback for their vibrant, cartoonish art style, which retains the charm of the original while showcasing improvements in detail and sharpness. Players appreciate the cute and playful visuals, although some express mixed feelings about specific elements, like the design of the creepy treat cards. Overall, the game is noted for its colorful aesthetics and enhanced graphical quality, making it visually appealing for fans of the genre.

    • “The graphics are a little bit better and the music is okay, though not very memorable.”
    • “A graphical uplift makes the already lovely, stylized visuals even sharper, and the time-traveling plot provides opportunity for a wide variety of locations.”
    • “I adored the art style that lead designer Tasha Harris gave the first game; I’m very pleased to see that the sequel has added to it in the best way, keeping the style consistent as new characters are introduced and fresh costumes take center stage.”
    • “The better graphics seem to have made this a poorly optimized game though; I only had to reduce the SSAA from 4x to 2x to eliminate the horrible framerate in sections, but I don't see how my 1080 Ti couldn't run this game at 4K without such horrible slowdown on any level with water.”
    • “You can tell the graphics were improved in this game, but I honestly didn't like the art better because the atmosphere felt so much colder.”
    • “Despite the graphics retaining their similarity with the original, there was a lot of added 'detail'; it felt cluttered.”
  • music34 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its improvement over the first installment, noting a more varied and enjoyable soundtrack. However, some players found certain tracks to be lackluster or annoying, particularly during combat, and felt that not all musical elements fit seamlessly with the gameplay. Overall, while the music enhances the game's charm and atmosphere, it may not be particularly memorable for all players.

    • “Audio/music: there's more music this time (compared to Costume Quest 1), and the music is great!”
    • “The soundtrack to this game is fantastic, and given that you rarely go back to previous areas, the tunes just do not get old.”
    • “Peter McConnell is back for the soundtrack, which stood out to me as one of his finest, with the themes in the past area making particularly fine use of slide guitar.”
    • “Not sure if it was because of all the said above, but the combat music annoyed me.”
    • “The music was pretty boring and lackluster too, and I found myself longing for the old battle theme a lot.”
    • “The music and design is nothing to gawk at... just more of the same except now you can double attack and use counter attacks.”
  • grinding34 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding in the game to be tedious and often excessive, with many noting that it detracts from the enjoyment of the story and exploration. While some appreciate the ability to grind for experience and currency, the repetitive nature of battles and the need for constant healing contribute to a sense of monotony. The changes made to the combat system have not alleviated these concerns, leading to a mixed reception regarding the grinding aspect.

    • “Not too grindy besides fights required for the main story; there are respawning mobs if you want to grind, but you can beat the main story without fighting any of them.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I wound up only using the cards that increased candy and XP payout to reduce grinding, and still never lost a battle.”
    • “In the end, combat started to become the tedious bits in between the story and exploring.”
    • “I have a really hard time getting into games with JRPG-style combat, which I've come to find pretty boring especially when coupled with endless grinding.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming visuals, cute humor, and engaging Halloween-themed setting, which many players find to be the most enjoyable aspect. While some reviews note that improvements in combat may detract from the overall atmosphere, the game's quirky characters and rich environments still contribute to a lovable and immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is highlighted as a standout feature, reminiscent of Double Fine's signature style.

    • “Such a wonderful atmosphere, fun gameplay, and charming story.”
    • “Not only did it look cute and have the right Halloween atmosphere, but it was also a simple yet fun game.”
    • “There are only a few settings to explore this time through, but each one is chock full of atmosphere with plenty of quirky characters to talk to and lots of candy to find.”
    • “This really took me out of the flow and the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The combat is better this time around, but at the cost of atmosphere.”
    • “You can tell the graphics were improved in this game, but I honestly didn't like the art better because the atmosphere felt so much colder.”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for frequent freezes and bugs, which hinder the overall experience. While some players report that it runs well at times, issues such as graphical glitches and awkward keyboard controls detract from gameplay. Overall, the game appears to suffer from a lack of polish, making it frustrating for many users.

    • “Besides these issues, the game runs great.”
    • “Game freezes up; I never got to play or get it to run.”
    • “Navigated to the options with keyboard -> game freezes.”
    • “They seem to be a bit buggy and slow, like everyone is saying.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Players find "Costume Quest 2" to be a heartwarming and nostalgic experience, filled with humor and originality that enhances its emotional impact. The game successfully combines fun and wholesome elements, making it a delightful adventure that resonates with fans of the series. Overall, it evokes a strong sense of joy and excitement, especially for those familiar with its predecessor.

    • “With a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, Costume Quest 2 is a sequel that not only lives up to its predecessor but surpasses it, offering a delightful and heartwarming adventure for fans of all things spookily fun.”
    • “All around this game really made me feel like I was playing a Double Fine game; this oozed originality.”
    • “Just a wholesome good time.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report that it runs well on various systems, others have experienced significant performance issues, particularly with high graphics settings and CPU demands. Users have noted the need to lower settings to achieve smoother gameplay, indicating that optimization could be improved.

    • “The game is so well optimized that pretty much any rig can play this in its full glory.”
    • “The better graphics seem to have made this a poorly optimized game. I only had to reduce the SSAA from 4x to 2x to eliminate the horrible framerate in sections, but I don't see how my 1080 Ti couldn't run this game at 4K without such horrible slowdown on any level with water.”
    • “Managed to play this without lag by disabling all effects; maybe it's not optimized..?”
    • “- Optimization needs work; it's harsher on the CPU than the first game.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Replayability varies among players; some find it endless due to achievements like the hardcorn challenge, while others feel it is limited unless they are completionists, as most content can be unlocked in a single playthrough.

    • “Playtime and replayability are significant aspects of the game.”
    • “There won't be much replay value unless you are a completionist, but unlike other games, it is still possible to get all the costumes and achievements in a single sitting.”
    • “The hardcore achievement adds a small bit of replayability.”
    • “The replay value, in my opinion, is endless.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization of the game is perceived as a cash grab, with players feeling that it capitalizes on the success of its predecessor without adequately improving upon its shortcomings.

    • “Feels like a cash grab.”
    • “For some reason, this game feels like a cash grab that aims to capitalize on the popularity of the first one without really addressing its flaws.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the reviewed games is generally praised for its storytelling and humor, with some titles like "Psychonauts" being highlighted as exemplary. While some sequels, such as "Costume Quest 2," may not reach the heights of their predecessors, they still maintain charming narratives and character designs.

    • “They aren't perfect (except Psychonauts, which literally is perfect, and when I die, I hope to be buried with it), but what they lack in one area, they more than make up for in storytelling, character development, and humor.”
    • “To be honest, it is definitely not as good as Costume Quest 1, but the narrative and character design are as cute as ever.”
    • “To be honest, it is definitely not as good as Costume Quest 1 - but the narrative and character design are as cute as ever.”
    • “They aren't perfect (except Psychonauts, which literally is perfect and when I die I hope to be buried with it), but what they lack in one area they will more than make up for in storytelling, character development, and humor.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
8-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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