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Guacamelee! 2

A colourful, enthralling adventure, Guacamelee! 2 is a superb sequel to a superb game.
Guacamelee! 2 Game Cover
88%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
replayability, grinding
91% User Score Based on 1,656 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 45 reviews

Platforms

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Guacamelee! 2 Game Cover

About

Guacamelee! 2 is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with fantasy and comedy themes. It was developed by Drinkbox Studios and was released on August 21, 2018. It received positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Seven years after defeating Carlos Calaca, Juan Aguacate is forced to don his luchador mask again to face a new threat - this time to the very fabric of space and time. Punch your way through a whole new Metroid-vania style world and try to save the Mexiverse!

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
Guacamelee! 2 screenshot
+12
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91%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,656 reviews
gameplay171 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • Fun and satisfying combat system with deep combos and special moves, including an expanded and useful chicken form.
  • Challenging and well-designed platforming puzzles with clever use of dimension-shifting mechanics that reward skill and precision.
  • Excellent art style, vibrant visuals, and an energetic soundtrack that complement the game's Mexican culture-inspired theme and humor.
  • The game features a steep difficulty curve with some brutally hard platforming and instant-death hazards, especially in optional challenges needed for the good ending.
  • Controls can feel imprecise and input delays sometimes frustrate platforming and combat performance.
  • The story and humor rely heavily on memes and references, which some players find cringy or overly self-aware, and some narrative elements feel less compelling than the original.
  • gameplay
    441 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Guacamelee 2 preserves and refines the core gameplay of its predecessor, offering tight, satisfying combat and challenging platforming enriched by new mechanics like enhanced chicken form abilities and a grapple hook. While many appreciate the game's polished, fluid controls and inventive level design, some find the gameplay overly familiar with limited innovation and occasional difficulty spikes that can hinder flow. Overall, it delivers an engaging metroidvania experience with a balanced mix of skill-based combat and platforming, though its reliance on reused mechanics may feel repetitive for some players.

    • “Gameplay is as fun as ever with addition of new mechanics and new enemies that spice up the gameplay. The story is also pretty good, but the best thing about this sequel are the bosses; they actually feel fun to fight against and aren't as infuriating as in the first game. I enjoyed all bosses except Jaguar since it's just the boss from the first game but tripled, which sucks.”
    • “The platforming is some of the tightest and best 'feeling' around, while the combat mechanics are deep enough that you can't just button mash your way through, but not so complex that they're intimidating or overly difficult to master.”
    • “New mechanic after new mechanic being dropped into the mix and explored through expansion and evolution as it always did best.”
    • “Game mechanics are completely broken.”
    • “Mechanically, there are some truly heinous and BS challenges, with the worst ones revolving around the new grapple mechanic which is easily one of the worst aspects of the game the more precision gets demanded of it.”
    • “The platforming got harder and instant-kill mechanics became more invasive, which are immensely good reasons to pretend this game doesn't exist.”
  • story
    394 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Guacamelee 2's story is lighthearted, comedic, and packed with humor and cultural references, often leaning into silliness and meta jokes. It continues the original’s narrative with new characters and a multiverse plot, though some find it less engaging and more convoluted than its predecessor. While not the game's strong suit, the story complements the fun gameplay and colorful world, appealing especially to fans of the original and those who enjoy witty, irreverent narratives.

    • “The story follows Juan Aguacate several years after his heroic exploits, portraying him as an older, softer version of the legendary luchador who has traded constant danger for family life.”
    • “Fourth-wall breaks, exaggerated character arcs, and self-aware jokes are woven seamlessly into the adventure, ensuring the story remains lighthearted even as the stakes escalate.”
    • “The story is both silly and cohesive, with a sense of purpose.”
    • “The biggest issue is the game's relentless obsession with dialogue and jokes. The story is painfully dumb, and if a game forces me to read its writing constantly, I'm going to judge it.”
    • “The villains' backstory/motivation doesn't get explained until 30 minutes before the end and is nowhere near as interesting as the villain of the original title.”
    • “Some parts feel like a complete chore because you have to walk miles while stopping to plow enemies, the story just goes out of the rails, the main boss is super forgettable, you have 90% of the same movements of the first game with no variation... it honestly feels like a cashgrab.”
  • humor
    359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in Guacamelee 2 is widely praised for its lighthearted, self-aware, and culturally rich comedic style, featuring abundant pop culture references, internet memes, and clever puns that many players find genuinely funny and entertaining. While some reviews note the humor can be hit-or-miss or overly reliant on memes and quirky dialogue, it is generally seen as a core strength that enhances the fun, with moments of fourth-wall-breaking wit, slapstick, and playful character interactions contributing to the game's charm. Overall, the humor effectively complements the engaging gameplay and vibrant Mexican-themed setting, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its quirky, meme-infused style.

    • “I constantly found myself cracking up at the humor as the game is very self-aware and breaks the fourth wall from the very beginning.”
    • “There's a hell of a lot to love about this game - the art style is beautiful, the story is interesting, the soundtrack slaps, the dimension-changing mechanic is absolutely brilliant and well-implemented, and the humour is great - this game made me laugh out loud quite frequently.”
    • “Nearly all the dialogue and plot points in the game are designed to be humorous, and I personally found it to be one of the funniest games I have played in a long time.”
    • “First one was pretty good but this one is basically just an (easy) arena rush mode the whole way through and when you're not doing that it's stupid, unfunny dialogue every 10 seconds.”
    • “They also make fun of a lot of mainstream stuff, like microtransactions, dead memes from the first game, etc., but it's not funny, none of it is... boring dialog.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    252 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised as a standout feature, blending mariachi-style and electronic/8-bit elements to create a catchy, energetic, and culturally rich soundtrack that enhances combat and exploration. Many reviewers highlight its memorable, vibrant tracks that complement the colorful visuals and gameplay, with some considering it on par with or even an improvement over the first game’s acclaimed score. A few note minor repetitiveness or less catchiness compared to its predecessor, but overall the soundtrack is celebrated as a key strength that significantly contributes to the game’s unique atmosphere and charm.

    • “The soundtrack complements this energy perfectly, blending Latin-inspired rhythms with driving rock elements that elevate both combat encounters and exploration.”
    • “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, which is quite a bit considering it's my favorite and most frequent videogame genre.”
    • “The amount of love the team put into this game bleeds out of every single area, animation, and musical number, and I keep coming back to Guacamelee 2's soundtrack as an example of how to do it right.”
    • “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!”
    • “The soundtrack also felt rather modest, more like the b-sides from the first game than its own thing.”
  • graphics
    233 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Guacamelee 2 features a vibrant, colorful, and uniquely Mexican-inspired hand-drawn art style that is both bold and highly detailed, enhanced with improved lighting, reflections, and visual effects. The graphics effectively support the game's dynamic combat and fluid platforming, creating an engaging and lively atmosphere praised for its charm and cultural flair. While some note a lack of visual variety in certain areas and occasional aesthetic clashes, overall the visuals are regarded as a significant and polished upgrade from the first game.

    • “The characteristic colorful and angular visual style is back and better than ever. Under the apparent simplicity, there is an amazing quantity of detail and, as the ability to switch between two planes of existence eventually returns, it means there are basically two graphical sets for everything, with many elements changing well beyond simply different colors.”
    • “The hand-drawn art style is bold and expressive, with fluid animations that make combat and movement feel alive.”
    • “Visuals have a lot of extra polish, going as far as dynamic lighting which makes the art style shine even more.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's emotional impact is mixed, with touching and occasionally heartbreaking moments balanced by humor and a less serious tone. While some find the story engaging and emotionally satisfying, others feel it is predictable or boring early on. Overall, the blend of humor and poignant themes offers a unique emotional experience that resonates with many players.

    • “The story was surprisingly emotional at parts, though it never takes itself too seriously.”
    • “The writing and atmosphere in the game was engaging and captivating, fun and touching.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Replayability opinions are mixed: while co-op mode and solid side missions enhance replay value and encourage communal play, some find the game short with limited post-completion content and minimal incentive to replay beyond achievements or speedruns. Overall, it offers more replayability than its predecessor but could benefit from additional content and improved multiplayer features.

    • “The side missions are solid and add to the game’s replayability.”
    • “Still, the inclusion of co-op enhances replayability and underscores the game’s roots in communal, arcade-style fun.”
    • “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 almost no replay value, except for a single achievement and an in-game speedrun leaderboard.”
    • “I don't see any replayability value in this metroidvania.”
    • “New concepts aren't developed beyond single minigames with little replay value.”
  • atmosphere
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its rich Mexican cultural influences, vibrant and colorful visuals, and engaging music that create a charming and immersive environment. Coupled with fun, humorous writing and a distinct cartoony style, the atmosphere enhances the overall metroidvania experience, making it feel deeper and more captivating than typical 2D platformers.

    • “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.”
    • “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, along with its great Mexican music. It really made me happy how well the atmosphere was put together!”
    • “The writing and atmosphere in the game were engaging and captivating, fun and touching.”
  • grinding
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game is a mixed experience, with some dungeons and challenges feeling fun and rewarding, while others become tedious and overly difficult. The world design generally avoids feeling grindy or tedious, though later levels and certain puzzles can drag on and diminish enjoyment. Overall, the game improves on typical metroidvania grind by balancing challenge and engagement, but some segments may test patience.

    • “The game might appeal to those with very nimble fingers or those who enjoy grinding through the same locations a hundred times.”
    • “Some challenges are way too grindy and are not worth the time.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Optimization in this game is mixed, with generally smooth performance on some platforms like Ubuntu via Proton, but noticeable frame stuttering and occasional crashes reported by others. Performance drops tend to occur during graphically intense scenes, such as rainy or crowded areas, though these issues are not severe enough to ruin the overall fun. Some users attribute frame issues to their own hardware rather than the game itself.

    • “I played it on Ubuntu Linux via Steam Play (Proton) and it was nearly flawless, with just a couple of crashes but no real impact on performance.”
    • “Didn't notice any performance issues.”
    • “There are some performance issues, but they're not serious—just a bit of frame stuttering, which might be related to 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 and makes 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/overally crowded areas.”
  • monetization
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game includes a few microtransactions, primarily skin packs, which some players view as a cash grab, especially with the removal of community workshop support. However, there are no aggressive or intrusive microtransactions, maintaining a tongue-in-cheek style consistent with the series' humor. Overall, monetization is minimal but has disappointed some fans expecting more community engagement.

    • “Microtransactions: none.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 formula.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is minimal and largely limited to alternate reality versions of familiar characters, which some players find unengaging. However, the exaggerated and memorable character designs, along with witty writing and humor, effectively support the comedic tone and enrich the game's universe. Overall, character growth is not a strong focus.

    • “Character designs are exaggerated and memorable, reinforcing the game’s comedic tone while maintaining clarity during fast-paced action.”
    • “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) are very satisfying and fine touches for a coherent universe.”
    • “The little character development there is, 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.”
  • stability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game generally runs well and performs smoothly even on lower-end hardware, but suffers from occasional input misses (5-10%) and problematic, buggy jump points that affect stability.

    • “That's not to mention the 5-10% of inputs it misses, and the buggy as hell jump points.”
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85%Critics’ scoreBased on 45 critic reviews
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10h Median play time
12h Average play time
9h Main story
15h Completionist
5-23h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Guacamelee! 2 is a hack and slash game with fantasy and comedy themes.

Guacamelee! 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

The main story can be completed in around 9 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 15 hours to finish. On average players spend around 12 hours playing Guacamelee! 2.

Guacamelee! 2 was released on August 21, 2018.

Guacamelee! 2 was developed by Drinkbox Studios.

Guacamelee! 2 has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Guacamelee! 2 for its gameplay but disliked it for its replayability.

Guacamelee! 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, Prince of Persia The Lost Crown, The Messenger, Blasphemous 2, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero and others.