Freedom Planet 2

Freedom Planet 2 takes everything great about the first game, adds a bit of polish and some extra mechanics, and gives us an absolute beast of a game. I cannot praise it enough, it’s just brilliant fun!

96%Game Brain Score

story, music

stability, grinding

96% User Score Based on 1,099 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Freedom Planet 2" is a thrilling platformer where players can choose from four distinct characters to stop the water dragon Merga's rise to power. In Adventure mode, explore the vast world of Avalice, interact with NPCs, and discover hidden treasures, while Classic mode offers direct action. The story tests friendships as the heroes are split between sides during a resurgent war.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,099 reviews

story159 positive mentions

stability21 negative mentions

Freedom Planet 2 is a significant improvement over the first game, with enhanced gameplay mechanics, beautiful pixel art, and a captivating story.
The addition of four playable characters, each with unique abilities and story arcs, adds depth and replayability to the game.
The soundtrack is fantastic, with many catchy and memorable tracks that enhance the overall experience.

Some levels can feel overly long and convoluted, leading to moments of confusion and frustration.
The story, while improved, still has moments of cheesy dialogue and pacing issues that can detract from the overall experience.
The new guard mechanic, while interesting, can feel awkward and is not always intuitive, making some boss fights more challenging than necessary.

story
632 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
70%
5%
The story of *Freedom Planet 2* has received mixed reviews, with many praising its depth and character development compared to the first game. While some players found the narrative engaging and well-paced, others criticized it for being overly long or convoluted, with certain plot points feeling underdeveloped. Overall, the game is noted for its improved storytelling, character interactions, and world-building, though opinions vary on its execution and emotional impact.
- “The story is engaging with a near perfect length.”
- “The story is a huge step up from the first game, the music is as solid as ever, the sprites are gorgeous, and the gameplay takes everything that worked in Freedom Planet and improves it to near-perfection.”
- “The story is delightful and engaging, and the characters all have strong personalities.”
- “The story overall had some odd plot holes, and it certainly wasn't the highlight of the game.”
- “The story is honestly weaker than the original; I won't deny it.”
- “The story is a huge step up from the first game, but the gameplay is god awful.”
music
432 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The music in "Freedom Planet 2" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its variety and quality, while some feel it doesn't quite match the iconic status of the first game's soundtrack. While standout tracks and energetic compositions are highlighted, several reviewers noted that some boss themes lack the intensity and memorability of their predecessors. Overall, the soundtrack is considered enjoyable and fitting for the game, but opinions vary on its impact compared to the original.
- “The music in this game is amazing.”
- “The soundtrack is a great listen, on par with the first game in terms of overall quality, some of my favorites being Shade Armory, Lightning Tower, and Ancestral Forge.”
- “The music is incredible, fits the theming and has a lot of earworms you'll want to listen to again and again.”
- “Also, I'm really sorry to say, but the OST is not as well received as the first one, and I agree with that take.”
- “The only flaw is that I'd say the music is more of an acquired taste when compared to the first game, which was love at first listen.”
- “The music here is generic and doesn't fit the energetic nature of the game or the tone of some of the things in it.”
gameplay
391 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
63%
2%
The gameplay in "Freedom Planet 2" has received widespread acclaim for its significant improvements over the first installment, featuring enhanced mechanics such as a dodge and guard system, diverse character abilities, and creative level designs that encourage exploration and replayability. Players appreciate the fluid controls, engaging combat, and the introduction of new items and potions that add depth to the gameplay experience. While some critiques mention the pacing and certain mechanics feeling overwhelming, the overall consensus is that the game successfully combines high-speed platforming with robust combat, making it a standout title in the genre.
- “The gameplay is refined far beyond the first game, giving the characters a new array of well-balanced abilities that give them versatility without making them more powerful.”
- “From the core gameplay tweaks, the level design bursting with really fun and creative gimmicks, more balanced bosses, the more appealing and improved character designs, the improved combat thanks to the new abilities and the guard move, and the gorgeous spritework--some of the best I've ever seen in a video game--there is a lot to love about this game.”
- “The gameplay is much tighter and more rewarding this time around and with four very distinct characters to use, it's also very replayable.”
- “But then there are the downsides of the gameplay; for one thing, the main campaign is twice as long as the first and ends up overstaying its welcome again.”
- “Now the game does have a 'guard' mechanic that's more or less a sort of lenient parry, but I don't think it's a mechanic that's fleshed out to the degree it should be.”
- “I know there's a guard mechanic, but it's very finicky and often results in you getting hit anyway; perhaps if they added a freeze-frame or a parry/counter mechanic then the guarding would make more sense.”
graphics
161 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The graphics of *Freedom Planet 2* have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, detailed pixel art and improved animations, marking a significant upgrade from the first game. Many reviewers praised the new art style for its distinctiveness and ability to create immersive environments, while some noted minor issues with visibility in certain levels. Overall, the visuals are celebrated as stunning and a major highlight of the game, contributing to its engaging gameplay and nostalgic charm.
- “Visually, this game looks impressive; the very colorful art style and detailed animations bring a lot of life to the universe of Freedom Planet 2.”
- “The graphics are more detailed and prettier than the first game, and are impressive in motion with how well-animated every single one is.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous and have so much love poured into them, and the soundtrack does an amazing job at immersing you in the story and gameplay.”
- “I can't really say that I appreciate it after playing the first game so much and associating all the characters with the old art style.”
- “It doesn't feel like a natural progression for the series's art style in the same way that something like 2D Sonic games have evolved.”
- “I get the impression that whoever made the decision on the new art style wanted to distance themselves from the Sonic and Mega Man X inspired art style of the first game.”
replayability
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
50%
6%
The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, primarily due to its four distinct playable characters, each offering unique gameplay mechanics and story perspectives. Players can engage with a variety of levels, collectibles, and optional content, enhancing the overall experience and encouraging multiple playthroughs. The combination of a ranking system, character-specific stages, and dynamic level design further contributes to its enduring appeal.
- “Combined with the items and the ranking system, you have a game that’s endlessly replayable.”
- “The four playable characters each have different playing styles and story perspectives, giving the game a good dose of replayability as well.”
- “It creates great replay value and experimentation in each playthrough you do.”
- “The only things I can say I find lacking is that I want more playable characters if there aren't any or some kind of online or local PvP character fighting arena...”
- “This game has so much to offer in terms of replay value such as extra parts to the story for each character with stuff only seen for that character but also the normal and secret endings to the game itself and the post credits. Accessing the secret ending is the same for all characters from what I gather, but the boss fights are tough no matter what difficulty you play on.”
- “DLC offering more playable characters and levels would be a godsend.”
humor
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging character interactions, and a mix of lightheartedness and mature themes. Players appreciate the improved voice acting and the comedic timing of dialogues, which often lead to genuine laughter, even amidst serious moments. While some found certain jokes to be hit-or-miss, the overall consensus is that the humor adds significant charm and enjoyment to the gameplay experience.
- “The humor is incredible (Serpentine is the best character in the whole game), the voice acting is considerably improved, and the villains were both hammy yet threatening at the same time.”
- “Despite all the sadness in the game, there is also a lot of hilarious stuff, a lot of which you'll find in those character-specific cutscenes I mentioned earlier.”
- “The jokes and humor add an extra level of charm which give each dialogue with the various cast and NPC a lovable charm and delight.”
stability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
84%
Overall, the game's stability has improved significantly since launch, with many players reporting a generally stable experience despite some lingering bugs and glitches. While initial issues included occasional freezes and soft-locks, particularly during specific actions or levels, ongoing updates have addressed many of these problems, leading to a more polished gameplay experience. However, some users still encounter minor glitches that can disrupt immersion, indicating that further refinement is needed.
- “The support after launch has also been phenomenal, with the first week getting an update to fix issues I never knew were there, as my experience was bug-free.”
- “Runs great on PC at 165fps or Steam Deck.”
- “While it would have been nice to have a native Linux build, the game runs great in Proton Experimental.”
- “In Freedom Planet 2, it's very hard to play the game without running into soft-locks, buggy collision, and other oddities that make the game feel somewhere between unpolished and lazy.”
- “A buggy mess in its current state, but hopefully with time this issue will be remedied.”
- “Bugs and glitches - I understand the team poured their heart and soul into this sequel and I thank you guys from the bottom of my heart, but for a game that was pushed back for 7 years, I truly expected to see very little to no glitches/bugs in the game.”
character development
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
52%
13%
Character development in the game has received mixed feedback; while the character designs and visuals have been significantly improved, with praise for the new art style by Tyson Tan, many reviewers noted a lack of depth in character development and storytelling. Although the sequel offers more lore and a polished experience, some characters still feel underdeveloped, leading to a disconnect between the high stakes of the narrative and the characters' emotional journeys. Overall, while the aesthetic enhancements are celebrated, the narrative and character growth aspects leave room for improvement.
- “Not only does Freedom Planet 2 heavily redesign most of its cast to great success, but proportions and details in the character designs truly make them feel as original as they could be.”
- “The art and character design have taken a significant change of pace due to the inclusion of Tyson Tan, who did fan art of the various characters after the first game and was brought on to design the characters for the sequel.”
- “The character designs are even better than they were in the first one, and it really feels like the voice actors not only enjoyed voicing the characters but had genuine passion for the project.”
- “Even weirder that she had no interest in this in the first game, so that was pulled out of the aether (yet she, a fan-favorite & main character, still has 0 character development??).”
- “What saps the quality out of it is the lack of character development across the board; big stakes but little impact since, spoiler... no one dies.”
- “FP1 was pretty good for what it needed to do, but it didn't really go very far with things like character development or lore, in which this game... well, it does a lot more of.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed feedback; while some players found the character performances and story arcs, particularly those of Merga and Neera, to be deeply impactful and heartwarming, others felt that the emotional resonance was lacking compared to the previous installment. The improved voice acting and storytelling were praised for enhancing the emotional stakes, yet some players reported feeling detached from the narrative. Overall, the game offers a blend of heartfelt moments and complex character motivations, contributing to a rich emotional experience for many.
- “Been a fan since 2017, and it is really hard to express in words how heartwarming it is to be back in this world.”
- “There is some incredibly emotional delivery by several characters, showcasing their range and skill.”
- “Merga has a motive that makes her sympathetic, and that extra cutscene with her is so heart-wrenching; she really loved her.”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game can be tedious and frustrating, with many levels feeling overly long and repetitive, making it a chore to replay for better completion ratings or to find hidden items. While some players appreciate the grinding mechanic as a nod to classic platformers, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a drag, particularly for adult players seeking more engaging content.
- “While the story of the first game had a kind of cheesy Saturday-morning-cartoon charm, here it is dragged out so long that it just becomes boring and tedious.”
- “The vast majority of the levels are all tedious slogs with set pieces and ideas that seem like they should be in one of the Klonoa GBA games instead of a Sonic-inspired action platformer.”
- “However later on, once I want to practice stages to get better, the walking can get tedious.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
50%
13%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, with smooth performance in most action-packed levels. However, players have reported performance drops in darker levels, particularly those affected by lightning, leading to lower frame rates. Additionally, while the voice acting and sound mixing are commendable, some users noted that music can occasionally overpower dialogue.
- “Plus it runs smoothly, really actiony platformer to say the least.”
- “The game is divided up into levels where players are tasked with fighting off enemies in close-off encounters and then players are ranked at the end of the level based on their performance.”
- “[*] Engaging story, supported by high-quality performances.”
- “The other bug I'd like to address is the performance drop in levels that are affected by lightning; basically, levels that have 'darkness' in them make the game run with less FPS for me.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by an exceptional soundtrack that emphasizes melody, creating a charming and immersive experience. Each hub features its own unique ambiance and lively NPCs, contributing to a vibrant and engaging world.
- “The music is absolutely amazing and adds a lot to the atmosphere of the levels.”
- “These hubs all have their own atmosphere and incredibly charming NPCs that contribute to the feeling of this world being alive.”
- “With a greater focus on melody and atmosphere, the soundtrack offers a less high-octane score compared to the first game.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Despite the beautiful graphics, the overall atmosphere is dull and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
- “The game tries to create a tense atmosphere, but it often falls short, leaving players feeling disconnected from the experience.”