Lovely Planet 2: April Skies
- June 18, 2019
- quicktequila
- 2h median play time
Quick to learn yet hard to master, Lovely Planet 2: April Skies is a charming and fast-paced sequel that improves on the original formula while maintaining it's charming aesthetic.
Get on Steam"Lovely Planet 2: April Skies" is a charming first-person shooter, where players shoot enemies, dodge bullets, and navigate through trap-filled levels. The game features over 100 levels across five distinct worlds, with a new game mode for replayability and hidden secrets to discover. Its original soundtrack adds to the overall experience.
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Reviews
- Lovely Planet 2 features smooth and intuitive mechanics that enhance the fun and accessibility of the gameplay, making it a great entry point for new players.
- The game has a charming aesthetic and an excellent soundtrack that complements the gameplay, creating an enjoyable atmosphere.
- While the main game is easier than its predecessor, it offers challenging post-game content like the Abyss levels and various hidden secrets for players seeking more difficulty.
- Many players feel that Lovely Planet 2 is significantly easier than the original, leading to a lack of challenge and a shorter overall experience.
- The removal of features like leaderboards and certain mechanics from the first game has disappointed some fans, as it diminishes the competitive aspect of the gameplay.
- Some level designs and enemy placements are criticized for being less engaging and more simplistic compared to the original, resulting in a less memorable experience.
- music32 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many praising its catchy and upbeat nature, as well as its ability to enhance the overall experience. While some players appreciate the remixes from the first game, others feel that the new tracks lack the memorable quality of the original soundtrack. Overall, the music is described as charming and fitting, though opinions vary on its effectiveness compared to the predecessor.
“The soundtrack will stick in your head for all the right reasons and match your vibe just right in ways you might not expect.”
“Sound-wise, this game ironed out the issues with the first game, with no audio peaking this time, well-leveled sound effects, and a more distinct soundtrack featuring a lovely blend of upbeat and chiptune. It found its way into my Spotify playlists, that's for sure!”
“I'm a fan of Calum Bowen, who did the music for all Lovely Planet games. He is very good at making extremely quirky, happy, and cute songs that really have that Japanese/weird/Nintendo vibe to them.”
“Overall, amazing visuals and soundtrack, but horrible game design.”
“I also don't like the new music as much, though it's a minor complaint - it's mostly mishmashes of the original level themes with the main theme of the first game, and usually the tracks sound a bit too busy without having the strong driving melody that made the original soundtrack so effective, plus there's very little in the way of new sounds either.”
“Worse physics, controls, customization/menus, music (I love Boen but this OST wasn't hitting me the same way LP1's did), sound design, and most importantly of all, worse level design and mechanics.”
- gameplay31 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Lovely Planet 2" is generally praised for its smooth mechanics, intuitive controls, and enjoyable speedrunning elements, making it a fun experience for fans of the series. While many appreciate the new mechanics and improved level design compared to the first game, some critics feel that it lacks the challenge and cleverness of its predecessor, with a few expressing disappointment in the overall depth and variety of gameplay. Overall, the game offers a polished experience with a mix of familiar and new elements, appealing to both returning players and newcomers.
“This game effectively nails down the mechanics of the original, allowing it to feel super smooth and fun.”
“The mechanics always feel intuitive and consistent.”
“Simple but satisfying gameplay, great music, smoother difficulty curve compared to the original, some high-difficulty modes and levels if you find the base game too easy.”
“The gameplay is horrible.”
“Most of the same mechanics, all of the same level themes, similar music, etc. but it's lacking the level of challenge and elegant design the first game had, and almost entirely lacking in puzzle levels like the endgame of the first had - only one or two clever ones I can recall off the top of my head.”
“The level design is pretty boring and simplified, meaning difficulty and gameplay have been drastically gutted.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received high praise for their significant improvement, featuring clean animations, distinct enemy designs, and a charming, warm aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. Notably, the addition of a red hazard border helps players understand gameplay mechanics better, contributing to a more engaging environment. While some reviews mention a lack of new assets and environments, the overall visual quality and art style remain delightful and appealing.
“The graphics are oh so much better, enemies are still distinct from buddies, and there's a crucial feature which adds so much and people easily overlook: the red border when there's a hazard, be it a bomb or a smoocher enemy, it lets you know why you're dying which just adds so much to an understanding of a level. The animation work is better, the effects are clean, and everything has that charming warm cozy environment look to them; it delivers on all graphical fronts.”
“The intoxicating lovable aesthetic of simple but cute visuals blended with an amazing soundtrack is back once again to delight.”
“I was impressed with the general quality, as it felt like a major upgrade from even cleaner artwork to cute sound effects.”
“However, don't let the visuals deceive you.”
“Very few new graphic assets, no new environments, fewer visual details overall level-to-level.”
“I was impressed with the general quality, as it felt like a major upgrade from even cleaner artwork to cute SFX.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through its New Game Plus mode, added features from updates like arcade mode, and the challenge of hard mode and secret levels. Players can expect at least 8 hours of engaging content, with infinite replayability for speedrunning and personal bests, making it both challenging and enjoyable.
“There's a lot more content, and every bit of it is infinitely replayable, both to set records and beat your personal best, but also because it's just so much fun!”
“There's a New Game Plus mode which also provides extra difficulty and replay value.”
“It has more replay value with added features from updates, such as arcade mode.”
- story3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's story is minimal and lacks depth, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction due to its brevity. While some players suggest there might be a message to uncover, many feel that a narrative is unnecessary for the overall experience.
“The game is extremely short, and there is little to no satisfaction because there is no story.”
“Maybe you can get some sort of message out of it, I don't know, but frankly this game doesn't need a story.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has significantly improved from its original version, making movement smoother and more intuitive. Players find it easier to navigate obstacles, enhancing the overall gameplay experience compared to the first installment.
“Sure, it's a simple game with a simple premise, but nevertheless, it's noticeably optimized from its original.”
“Compared to Lovely Planet 1, it's a lot easier to jump over things and climb hills, whereas in the original, a lot of my optimizations came from jumping around obstacles.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting the exhilarating feeling of mastering challenges and achieving success in fast-paced scenarios. The thrill of navigating through obstacles and the satisfaction of hitting targets contribute to a heightened sense of accomplishment and engagement.
“The game takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, where every victory feels like a personal achievement and every defeat resonates deeply.”
“I was genuinely moved by the character's journey; their struggles and triumphs felt so real that I couldn't help but connect with them on a personal level.”
“The storytelling is so powerful that it evokes a range of emotions, making you laugh, cry, and feel a sense of belonging within the game's world.”
