Gimmick! 2

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 47 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Gimmick! 2 Game Cover
Gimmick 2 is a sequel that improves on its original and inspiration, put together by a studio that clearly have reverence for their source material.
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"Gimmick! 2" follows Yumetaro, a green yokai, on a new quest with improved physics for his powerful star tool. This tool allows for bouncing, defending, and even riding, while the game features a challenging mode and a legendary soundtrack by composer David Wise. Assistance options are available for a more accessible experience.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews
gameplay10 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • The game features enjoyable gameplay with a well-executed star mechanic that encourages experimentation and creativity in solving puzzles.
  • The level design is praised for its variety and challenge, with many secret areas that provide rewarding experiences for players who enjoy exploration.
  • The graphics are colorful and charming, and the game includes quality of life improvements such as a checkpoint system that enhances the overall experience.
  • Many players feel that the game lacks the unique charm and creativity of the original Gimmick!, with some levels being described as overly long and repetitive.
  • The soundtrack has been criticized for being bland and not matching the energetic style of the original, leading to a less engaging atmosphere.
  • Some reviewers noted technical issues such as input lag and a lack of polish in certain areas, which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • gameplay34 mentions

    The gameplay is centered around a unique star mechanic that serves both as an attack and a platform, offering versatile and satisfying mechanics that enhance puzzle-solving and level design. While the sequel builds on the original's foundation, it emphasizes the star's utility and introduces more complex challenges, though some players find the star recall mechanic frustrating. Overall, the game is praised for its enjoyable physics, charm, and the depth of its platforming elements, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The star mechanic is probably one of the most unique ideas I've ever seen in a platformer.”
    • “The star from the original gains a much greater focus by having it activate star switches you need to throw it into; the game does a really great job making the most out of this mechanic by having it interact with a bunch of the stage elements.”
    • “Solving these complex platforming puzzles and then executing on their mechanical challenge is deeply satisfying in a way that 2D platformers can rarely manage.”
    • “The star recall mechanic is absolutely miserable, often resulting in cancelling stars you needed to keep.”
    • “I don't really want to get into the rest of the gameplay and design issues because they're just a huge letdown (star cancelling???).”
    • “The game focuses on really wringing all the value out of its platforming mechanics over a long stretch, but this longer form level design can make the novelty and new ideas feel sparse.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it lacks the energetic and memorable qualities of the original soundtrack. While some appreciate the remixes and the atmospheric quality of the new tracks, others find them too ambient and unremarkable, failing to complement the gameplay effectively. Overall, while the quality of the music is acknowledged, it is often seen as a disappointing departure from the upbeat and dynamic style that fans expected.

    • “As legendary as David Wise is, the music for the game is really ambient, atmospheric, and relaxing; which is nothing like the original where the music was very upbeat, melodic, and complemented the hecticness and dynamic gameplay.”
    • “The music is fantastic too: you can tell David Wise was on the team.”
    • “The art is beautiful and the sound and music by legendary composer David Wise is fantastic.”
    • “Aside from the excellent remixes of some of the original music tracks, I'm disappointed that none of the music really stood out and was more ambient instead of action-packed.”
    • “There's a few times where they do remix music from gimmick 1 (the intro did make me smile), but having these songs here honestly detracts from the game by just showing how boring the rest of the soundtrack is.”
    • “The music is passable, but why this?”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the colorful and visually pleasing aesthetic, while others criticize the art style as uninspired and reminiscent of cheap mobile games. Fans of the original express disappointment over the departure from its unique character, feeling that the new visuals lack the charm and cohesion of the predecessor. Overall, while the graphics are deemed good by some, they fail to resonate with others who long for the original's distinctive style.

    • “The graphics are good, and they somehow managed to make the ohagis adorable!”
    • “I understand why fans of the original don't dig the art style change, but I don't think that's a good reason to immediately dismiss this game. What they went with is still good and visually pleasing.”
    • “Adding onto this, I don't have too much to say about the visuals; they look colorful and nice and they do their job well.”
    • “The art style is horrible.”
    • “Another huge shame in my opinion is the art style they've chosen to go with here.”
    • “It bewilders me that a Famicom game released in 1992 with graphics by a single person has more character than this.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the star switch puzzles to be tedious and repetitive due to the excessively long levels, contrasting with the original game, which offered a challenging experience without such monotony.

    • “The star switch puzzles are simple and creative, but they become tedious and repetitive when you realize how egregiously long the levels are.”
    • “The original game didn't have anything like this and still managed to be challenging in its own way without the tediousness.”
  • story2 mentions

    The game's story is perceived as lacking depth and cohesion, with boss fights feeling disconnected and the overall narrative appearing to be an afterthought.

    • “The boss fights are much less organic, the world isn't as cohesive, and the game's story feels like an afterthought.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by ambient and relaxing music, a departure from the original's upbeat and melodic score that matched its dynamic gameplay. This shift creates a more tranquil experience, contrasting with the previous energetic tone.

    • “The music for the game is really ambient, atmospheric, and relaxing, creating a serene experience that contrasts with the original's upbeat and dynamic soundtrack.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world and making every moment feel significant.”
    • “The combination of visuals and sound design creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that lingers long after you've put the game down.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviews highlight a strong emotional response to "gimmick 2," with some users feeling that it fundamentally misses the core message of the game, leading to a sense of heartbreak. This suggests that the emotional impact of the game is significant, but can be undermined by certain elements.

    • “I cannot emphasize enough that 'Gimmick 2' is as close as you can get to missing the point, and that is heartbreaking.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players appreciate the inclusion of cosmetics, which enhance the game's replayability by providing additional incentives to revisit and engage with the content.

    • “The cosmetics are a neat addition that adds some replay value.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the variety of choices and outcomes.”
    • “The game encourages multiple runs with its branching storylines and unlockable content.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making it feel repetitive on subsequent playthroughs.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
    • “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than a fun experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is generally viewed positively, with users emphasizing that it does not feel exploitative or like a cash grab.

    • “The monetization system feels overly aggressive and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “I feel pressured to spend money just to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “The in-game purchases are way too expensive for what they offer.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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