Guacamelee! 2

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,543 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • humor
Guacamelee! 2 Game Cover
A colourful, enthralling adventure, Guacamelee! 2 is a superb sequel to a superb game.
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In Guacamelee! 2, Juan Aguacate returns for a new Metroidvania-style adventure to save the Mexiverse from threat. The game features a hand-crafted world inspired by Mexican culture, with new wrestling moves and chicken-based abilities to explore and combat. Skeletal hordes, sassy villains, and platforming challenges await in this colorful and humorous sequel.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,543 reviews
gameplay160 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • Guacamelee 2 improves on the original in every way, with enhanced graphics, a more engaging story, and refined gameplay mechanics.
  • The combat system is fun and dynamic, allowing for creative combos and the addition of chicken combat adds a unique twist.
  • The humor and cultural references throughout the game are entertaining, making for a lighthearted and enjoyable experience.
  • The platforming challenges can be excessively difficult, often requiring precise timing and leading to frustration.
  • Some players may find the game too linear for a metroidvania, with limited exploration and backtracking.
  • The reliance on instant-death mechanics in certain areas can feel unfair and detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • gameplay406 mentions

    The gameplay in "Guacamelee 2" is largely an evolution of its predecessor, featuring a mix of satisfying combat mechanics and engaging platforming challenges. While many players appreciate the introduction of new abilities and the enhanced chicken form, some criticize the game for its linearity and reliance on instant-death mechanics, which can disrupt the flow. Overall, the game is praised for its humor, vibrant art style, and the seamless integration of its mechanics, making it a fun and challenging metroidvania experience.

    • “The game offers a lot in both its combat (lots of attacks to use, with enemy weaknesses tied to specific abilities) and its platforming (multiple mechanics all offering a combination of different challenges).”
    • “The platforming in the first 8 hours was engaging and diverse, with the ability to switch between Juan and the chicken, jumping between different dimensions – innovative features that truly made the gameplay unique and captivating.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, the artwork is even better, and the humor is *chef's kiss*.”
    • “Game mechanics are completely broken.”
    • “The story feels forced and gameplay lacks flow (it's basically just lucha after lucha after platforming puzzle after lucha... ad nauseam).”
    • “The gameplay is ultimately very simple, but effective at achieving what it set out to do; provide a rewarding, technical experience that isn’t mind-numbingly difficult, but is also not a cheap walk in the park, whether platforming or fighting.”
  • story359 mentions

    The story of "Guacamelee 2" is characterized by its humorous and lighthearted tone, featuring quirky characters and a plot that revolves around a multiverse theme and the quest to stop a rival luchador from obtaining sacred guacamole. While many players appreciate the comedic writing and cultural references, some feel the narrative lacks depth and can be overly silly, with a reliance on video game tropes and meta-humor. Overall, the story is seen as entertaining but not particularly engaging or profound, often serving as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a central focus.

    • “The story is hilarious with a slight undertone of tragedy.”
    • “The writing is silly and doesn't take itself too seriously, but still manages to tell an engaging story and present me with characters I care about.”
    • “The story is both silly and cohesive, with a sense of purpose.”
    • “The villains' backstory and motivation don't get explained until 30 minutes before the end and is nowhere near as interesting as the villain of the original title.”
    • “The story feels forced and gameplay lacks flow; it's basically just lucha after lucha after platforming puzzle after lucha... ad nauseam.”
    • “The plot is mostly fine, it at least gives decent stakes to keep playing, but the villains mostly feel way less developed here.”
  • humor315 mentions

    The humor in "Guacamelee 2" is widely praised for its clever writing, vibrant character interactions, and a plethora of pop culture references, often eliciting genuine laughter from players. While many appreciate the game's self-aware and playful tone, some critiques highlight that the humor can be hit or miss, with certain jokes feeling dated or overly reliant on memes. Overall, the game's comedic elements are considered a significant strength, contributing to its charm and enjoyment.

    • “Guacamelee 2 continues the trend of the first game of having fun combat, challenging platforming, and a humorous cast of characters.”
    • “The humor is abundant and well-crafted.”
    • “The writing is hilarious.”
    • “Not a horrible thing to say because Guacamelee is a perfectly fine and good video game, but it's really just the first game with expanded chicken combat, and the memes from 2010 are still not funny.”
    • “They also make fun of a lot of mainstream stuff, like microtransactions and dead memes from the first game, but it's not funny; none of it is... boring dialogue.”
    • “Feels like the writer went too hard on 'wink to the player' moments, without realizing they make no sense and end up not funny at all.”
  • music229 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its vibrant and catchy soundtrack, blending traditional mariachi with modern elements, which enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. While many reviewers praised the music as a significant highlight, some noted that it doesn't quite reach the memorable heights of the original game. Overall, the soundtrack is described as immersive, fun, and a perfect complement to the game's colorful visuals and engaging mechanics.

    • “The music, the artwork, all of it is beautiful and still has that classic Guacamelee feel.”
    • “The music is fantastic and the combat is fun.”
    • “The art direction, music, combat, platforming, story, everything works so perfectly together into one of the best and most entertaining metroidvanias I've ever played.”
    • “The music also feels like a significant step down which was very disappointing.”
    • “The music is way less catchy than the music from Guacamelee 1!”
    • “I was likewise unimpressed with the changes to the music.”
  • graphics214 mentions

    The graphics in "Guacamelee 2" have received widespread praise for their vibrant, colorful art style and significant improvements over the original game, including enhanced lighting and detail. Many reviewers highlighted the unique Mexican aesthetic, which complements the game's humor and gameplay, while some noted a lack of variety in certain areas. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and polished, contributing to an engaging and immersive experience.

    • “The graphics are beautiful and polished.”
    • “The visuals are great, if a little busy at times.”
    • “The art style is very attractive, the gameplay is smooth and responsive, and the music is fantastic.”
    • “It's functional but certainly contributes to the game having this certain soulless vibe in its presentation that unfortunately goes against the genuinely expressive art style that this otherwise has.”
    • “Aesthetically, the screen exits that are blocked off and require a special move a la Metroid are ugly blocks that clash against the art style, subtracting from any coherent presentation.”
    • “Aside from that... while the game definitely looks better, aesthetically it's a lot more homogenous; the areas don't feel anywhere near as distinct in this game as they did in the first, and I'm going to put the blame squarely on the darker aesthetic this game goes for.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of touching moments and humor, with some players finding it surprisingly heartfelt despite a less engaging overall story. While the narrative can feel meta and occasionally boring, it culminates in an emotional ending that resonates with many, showcasing themes of loss and reflection. Overall, the game balances lightheartedness with deeper emotional undertones, appealing to those who appreciate both humor and poignant storytelling.

    • “The story was surprisingly emotional at parts, though it never takes itself too seriously.”
    • “A great game with gameplay easy to learn, hard to master (great combat) and a simple story with an emotional end.”
    • “While the game does poke fun at everything, the idea of 'what if things were different' is still explored in sometimes heartbreaking ways.”
    • “Boring story, forced puns, same attacks as before have to be relearned...”
    • “Very boring story at the beginning of the game.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant and engaging design, combining stunning artwork, great music, and a rich cultural backdrop that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the charming and humorous writing, which complements the captivating environment, making it feel more immersive than expected for a 2D platformer. The game's unique Mexican theme and polished execution contribute to a standout atmosphere that resonates well with players.

    • “The writing and atmosphere in the game was engaging and captivating, fun and touching.”
    • “2 has some of the best atmosphere, environment, and scenery I have ever seen, with its transition from the living world to the world of the dead, like in Mexican tradition, and its great Mexican music. It really made me happy how well the atmosphere was put together!”
    • “Despite being a 2D platformer, the music and visual design come together to create a deeper atmosphere than a game this simple should probably have.”
    • “The atmosphere is charming as usual, and the writing is distinctly 'cartoony,' which is nothing different from the first game.”
    • “Atmosphere will feel similar to the first game, though this time around it's a lot more colorful and has slightly more places to visit.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while some enjoy the challenge and find certain dungeons fun, others feel that specific segments become tedious and repetitive. The game avoids overly grindy achievements, but some challenges can feel unnecessarily time-consuming. Overall, the level design and enemy encounters are generally well-received, though a few players noted that they can become monotonous.

    • “Some challenges are way too 'grindy' and are not worth the time.”
    • “Don't get me wrong, I love a good challenge, but some segments of this game try to be challenging but are just boring and tedious.”
    • “Performance could be improved significantly and the level design in the later temples starts to dwindle as the challenge skyrockets and makes it tedious and almost boring to try and finish a room.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    The reviews present a mixed perspective on replayability, with some players noting significant replay value due to engaging dialogue and challenges, while others criticize the lack of content and mechanics that limit replayability. Overall, opinions vary, with some finding the game more replayable than its predecessor, while others feel it falls short, particularly in terms of additional content and multiplayer options.

    • “Just as much dialogue wit, replayability, and challenge (if not more) than the first.”
    • “I'm only over 5 hours in at the time of writing this, but I can already say that this is definitely going to be more replayable than the first game.”
    • “Upside is that the game is highly replayable, although I would like 2 more temples; that would be great.”
    • “Guacamelee 2 is a short game, and has next to no replay value, outside of a single achievement and an in-game speedrun leaderboard.”
    • “It's a decent metroidvania, personally I don't see any replayability value.”
    • “And I can't recommend an action game where I don't see replay value.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing frame stuttering and performance issues, particularly in crowded or rainy environments. However, others reported a nearly flawless experience on specific setups, indicating that performance may vary based on individual hardware. Overall, while there are notable optimization concerns, they do not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “I played it on Ubuntu Linux via Steam Play (Proton) and it was nearly flawless, just a couple of crashes but not a real impact on performance.”
    • “Games improve on the original Guacamelee; the only issue is that there are performance issues.”
    • “I have performance issues; they're not serious (a bit of frame stuttering), but they're there. I'm not quite certain what's causing them though, and it's entirely possible that it is an issue with my rig.”
    • “Don't bother with this stuttering mess.”
    • “Performance could be improved significantly and the level design in the later temples starts to dwindle as the challenge skyrockets, making it tedious and almost boring to try and finish a room.”
    • “Only reason it's not a 10 is due to lack of framerate optimization during rainy or overly crowded areas.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for relying on microtransactions, particularly through the sale of skin packs, which some players feel detracts from the overall experience. While the game attempts to blend old and new elements, many reviewers perceive it as a cash grab that lacks meaningful community engagement, such as disabling workshop support. Overall, the humor surrounding monetization feels forced and fails to resonate with players.

    • “The game cleverly critiques mainstream monetization practices, including microtransactions, which adds a layer of humor to the experience.”
    • “It's disappointing that the developers prioritized microtransactions over community engagement by disabling workshop support.”
    • “Not saying this sequel is a cash grab, but like the other negative reviews confirmed - the game, despite adding a few (unnecessary) elements, is just a recycling of the first game's formula.”
    • “Sadly, Drinkbox decided that community creative input by disabling workshop support was less important than the few microtransactions they could squeeze out of selling a few skin packs on the store page.”
    • “While this sequel does bring a decent mix of old and new (mechanics, characters, etc.), at the end of the day, it mostly felt like a cash grab :(”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development is minimal, primarily focusing on alternate reality versions of existing characters that may not resonate with players. However, some players appreciate the writing and find satisfaction in the development of familiar characters, particularly x'tabay, contributing to a coherent universe. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some noting a lack of significant character growth.

    • “But that's not a big issue; I liked the writing, the jokes, the chicken bits are brilliant, and the character development of some of our old 'friends' (especially X'tabay's) is very satisfying and adds fine touches for a coherent universe.”
    • “The little character development that exists is for alternate reality versions of existing characters that you don't really care about since they're not 'your' versions of the characters.”
    • “There was no character development.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report mixed stability for the game, noting occasional input misses and buggy jump points. However, it runs well on lower-end hardware, making it a decent purchase when on sale.

    • “It's pretty fun and runs great on my school laptop. I wouldn't pay $20 for it, but on sale, it's a good buy.”
    • “That's not to mention the 5-10% of inputs it misses, and the buggy jump points.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I've experienced constant lag and stuttering, which ruins the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

Buy Guacamelee! 2

Play time

14hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
9hMain story
15hCompletionist
5-29hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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