Party Hard 2
- October 24, 2018
- Kverta
- 67h median play time
In Party Hard 2, you're on a mission to stop noisy partygoers who keep you up at night. With a variety of traps, four playable characters, and 14 levels, this stealth-strategy game offers tons of replayability and new ways to cause chaos. The sequel introduces improved mechanics, more combos, and a bigger universe, taking party crashing to a whole new level.
Reviews
- Great graphics and improved visuals compared to the first game.
- Fun and challenging gameplay with multiple ways to complete levels.
- Engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Game-breaking bugs and glitches that hinder progress and enjoyment.
- Frustrating AI behavior and police mechanics that can lead to unfair deaths.
- The story feels less compelling and coherent compared to the first game.
- gameplay119 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the sequel has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over its mechanics, which they find overly simplistic, frustrating, and sometimes buggy. While some appreciate the expanded weapon pool and new mechanics, others feel that the game relies too heavily on luck rather than skill, leading to repetitive and unbalanced experiences. Overall, while the game retains some charm and offers replayability, it struggles with clarity in mechanics and can be hindered by frustrating design choices.
“Gameplay is incredible, with so much replayability, the story is decent, the game has a really cool vibe.”
“The gameplay is good and fun as stages have 2 completion methods and many secret objectives.”
“New larger levels, new traps, and a more objective style gameplay makes it something to keep going back to for a while.”
“The gameplay is virtually the same as the first game in terms of mechanics, but compared to the first game, most of the stationary traps were underwhelming in this sequel.”
“The gameplay, if you can call it that, is very lacking and relies on the luck of random items in a level, rather than any player skill.”
“Gameplay is super unintuitive and clunky.”
- story113 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its more fleshed-out narrative compared to the first installment, while others criticize it for being convoluted, poorly executed, and filled with bugs that hinder progression. Many found the plot to be a distraction from the gameplay, with some missions feeling unnecessarily long and frustrating due to fail conditions and lack of coherence. Overall, while the game attempts to build on its predecessor's story, it often falls short, leaving players divided on its effectiveness and enjoyment.
“The story is not a direct continuation of the first, so you could play this without the original, but it is equally as intriguing.”
“Party Hard 2 delves much more into the story than the first one, and I found the story quite interesting, keeping my attention until the final cutscene.”
“This is how you do a great second part in a series; this really shows how to do it. The original game was beautiful, however, this is (in my opinion) a masterpiece, you can do different objectives now instead of just 'kill them all,' and the story is much better told.”
“The game mechanics alone aren't enough to validate a sequel, so instead of expanding the gameplay, there is a very cringey and poorly written story that you get the privilege to follow.”
“The story is simply badly told and lacks tangible continuity; many levels have puzzles that are simply lame and rely on trial and error in an unfun way.”
“The story is weak compared to its predecessor.”
- graphics72 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the improved blend of 2D and 3D elements, vibrant pixel art, and overall aesthetic enhancements compared to the first game. However, some players criticize the new art style for reducing visibility and readability, making gameplay more challenging and less enjoyable. Overall, while the graphics are considered a significant upgrade by some, others feel that the changes detract from the simplicity and clarity that characterized the original.
“The graphics are beautiful for a 2D game.”
“The graphics/rendering are a lot better in this version and if I could play it better, I would.”
“They've kept the characters to pixel art, but managed to marry it with the voxel art style of the environments and objects.”
“This game is not terrible, but I do not recommend you get it despite the graphical enhancements because the first game is far more superior.”
“The new 3D graphics are really the biggest problem.”
“I don't mind that there's been an aesthetic change, but I do mind that there are complete blind spots in the maps, that NPCs and items blend into the backgrounds, and that most of the maps are a high contrast of dark backgrounds with blinding neon lights which reduce visibility dramatically.”
- music69 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising the catchy and high-quality soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players feel the new tracks don't match the iconic nature of the original game's music, others appreciate the fresh sound and its suitability for the game's atmosphere. However, there are complaints about repetitive tracks and issues with overlapping audio, which detract from the overall enjoyment.
“The music is full-on eargasm, and the gameplay never gets old.”
“The second game hits hard with great music and challenging new levels, traps, and so much more.”
“Even more twisted than its predecessor, this game shines in presentation, the vibrant neon palette, the punchy and catchy soundtrack, and its funny pixel art are a definitive step up from the first game.”
“I have lowered the music volume and all the other audio levels completely and it still plays.”
“But that is dumb, because I don't want to mute the whole damn game, just that stupid menu music that refuses to stop playing.”
“For some baffling reason there is a car brake screeching in the audio, meaning every now and then you'll be listening to the music when suddenly you hear a 'screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee' grating on your eardrums.”
- stability33 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and crashes that detract from the overall experience. Many users noted that the game feels unpolished, with broken mechanics and AI issues persisting even after its release, leading to frustration and a lack of enjoyment. While some players found the game fun despite these issues, the overwhelming sentiment is that its stability is its weakest aspect, making it difficult to recommend.
“Mostly bug-free.”
“Runs great on the Steam Deck OLED!”
“I really feel everything feels broken in this game; traps, throwables, enemies... just too buggy and unpolished to be fun.”
“The game's weakest attribute, and my primary reason for giving this a negative review, was its abysmal design and overall lack of decent craftsmanship; there were so many problems with this game's design, from broken AI scripts to numerous bugs and glitches that hamper your gaming experience with this sequel.”
“Please do not buy this game if you only have macOS, as this game is extremely glitchy and buggy on macOS.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game boasts significant replayability due to its varied objectives, randomly generated elements, and the ability to explore different strategies and approaches. Players appreciate the diverse challenges and interactive environments that encourage experimentation, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned players. Despite a limited number of levels, the game's design ensures that each playthrough can feel fresh and engaging.
“The game is fun, lots of replayability, lots of exploration for your murderous intent.”
“This one has more replay value thanks to all the goals, which is perfect when you have new people over—they can work on mastering the basics while you can go after uncompleted challenges.”
“And the levels are not only varied, but they have a large amount of replay value thanks to targets and interactive objects being rearranged each time you play.”
“The levels are not only varied, but they have a large amount of replay value thanks to targets and interactive objects being rearranged each time you play.”
“Only 10 levels, but boy does this game take time and has replay value to it.”
“The game seems like it has a decent amount of replay value if you can handle the unpredictable nature of the AI and you want to complete all the objectives.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its witty voice acting and a vibrant presentation that enhances its comedic elements. Players find the storyline amusingly absurd, revolving around a character's struggle to sleep amidst a raucous party, while the writers successfully maintain a lighthearted tone throughout. Additionally, the inclusion of unkillable characters, like the resilient maid, adds a layer of humor that resonates with players, making the experience both entertaining and memorable.
“Even more twisted than its predecessor, this game shines in presentation. The vibrant neon palette, the punchy and catchy soundtrack, and its funny pixel art are a definitive step up from the first game, and even the story improves, creating a sort of lore for this world.”
“The story is funny yet somewhat silly; you basically play as a guy who tries to sleep but at 3 AM wakes up to the sounds of his next-door music club throwing a wild party. What do you do?”
“There are some characters on the levels that you cannot kill (like the maid, which is hilarious. I mean, I have knifed her, tried to electrocute her, set her on fire, and run her over with a tire or forklift, and she just seems to be the Dracula of the janitorial world).”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessively tedious and frustrating, often requiring significant time investment without rewarding gameplay. Many reviews highlight that the grind feels punishing rather than challenging, with luck-based elements that can hinder progress, leading to a lack of motivation to continue. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a major drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Tldr: way too grindy and the story is still cringy, too unforgiving and not in a way that makes you want to retry the level to get a little further.”
“This one is just tedious and annoying; yes, there are more options to do stuff, but the game constantly does not do what it's supposed to or just flat out screws you over.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Overall, optimization has seen significant improvements, with many users noting smooth performance and well-designed levels, including boss fights. However, some players report issues with performance, particularly when the 2D pixel aesthetic is integrated into the 3D environment, leading to reduced readability and stuttering on powerful PCs.
“It has improved a lot, 3D environment, smooth performance, good levels, and even boss fights now!”
“It runs smoothly.”
“The 2D pixel aesthetic was shoved into three-dimensional space, greatly reducing readability and somehow tanking the game's performance.”
“Performance is bad; even with a powerful enough PC, it stutters a lot.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the game varies significantly among players, with some finding it deeply engaging while others feel it lacks emotional depth, leading to boredom.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by its exceptional music, which is widely praised for being fitting and engaging, contributing to an immersive experience.
“The music in this game was an absolute banger, with most tracks fitting perfectly into the atmosphere.”
“The immersive environment and stunning visuals create a captivating atmosphere that draws you in.”
“Every sound and detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users find the monetization strategy misleading, particularly criticizing the advertisement that suggests there are "4 playable characters," which they feel does not accurately represent the game's offerings.
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game items.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra.”
“The game is riddled with ads, and it feels like the developers prioritize profit over player experience.”