PixelJunk Monsters 2

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PixelJunk Monsters 2 is a single player and multiplayer real-time strategy game with fantasy and kids themes. It was developed by Q-Games Ltd. and was released on May 25, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Get ready to experience the next generation of real-time tower defense gameplay in the globally acclaimed PixelJunk Monsters series! The spirit of the forest, Tikiman, is in trouble. An army of mysterious monsters has invaded his peaceful forest! Repel the fire and fury of your assaulting foes! Build towers within the woods and level them up to vanquish the invaders! Protect the Chibis, the futur…

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62%

Audience ScoreBased on 207 reviews

graphics30 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

Addictive classic tower defense gameplay with solid mechanics and charm similar to the original PixelJunk Monsters.
Superbly charming 3D visuals with a unique clay-mation style and an adorable, gentle soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.
Multiple multiplayer modes including local and online co-op (up to 4 players), which provide fun teamwork experiences when functional.

Camera system is a major frustration: zoom is too close by default, hard to see the entire map or multiple areas at once, limiting effective gameplay and co-op.
Multiplayer is buggy and poorly implemented; issues include progress only saved for host, unstable connections, no shared progression, and complicated lobby/joining systems.
Several gameplay and design flaws such as reused levels with different paths, lack of tower upgrade details, frequent small bugs (towers missing targets, coins bouncing off the map), and clunky controls often tailored to controllers over keyboard.

graphics
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
42%
5%
The game's graphics received widespread praise for their vibrant, sharp, and beautifully rendered 3D art style that adds a fresh dimension and character compared to the original's 2D look. However, some users felt the shift to 3D compromised gameplay clarity and immersion, with controls and camera angles making it harder to manage action and diminishing the charm of the original. Overall, while the visuals are considered a significant improvement and visually appealing, opinions vary on whether the graphical changes enhance or hinder the overall experience.
- “And the graphics are just phenomenal!”
- “The unique tower defense gameplay paired with beautiful visuals and music really caught my attention.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the towers are fun, and the challenge is real.”
- “3D graphics don't really add anything; they just make it harder to see what is going on, and you can't manage different parts of the scene, so co-op, which was the single biggest feature of the original, doesn't really work anymore.”
- “A graphical improvement but huge gameplay de-provement to the original. Only being able to see a tiny portion of the map and having to hit a button to see what's going on continuously (while preventing movement and leaving you vulnerable) really ruins this game.”
- “The graphical change and POV change really make this game feel like a whole different beast altogether; instead of the 'cute', animated graphics used in the original, they went full 3D and even gave you the option to put the camera right behind your character, and it really doesn't make the game better in any way.”
gameplay
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
8%
The gameplay remains largely faithful to the original tower defense style, offering solid and addictive mechanics with new features and co-op support that breathe fresh life into the series. However, some players find issues with controls, camera views, and certain mechanics that detract from the experience, especially compared to the first game’s smoother design and visibility. Overall, while it appeals to fans and retains core enjoyable elements, there are mixed feelings about changes and technical frustrations.
- “The gameplay feels solid and true to the series.”
- “The unique tower defense gameplay paired with beautiful visuals and music really caught my attention.”
- “Addictive classic tower defense gameplay, superbly charming 3D visuals, and adorable gentle soundtrack, various challenges add value.”
- “Mechanics were added compared to the first which only distracts from what makes the game enjoyable.”
- “A graphical improvement but huge gameplay de-provement to the original. Only being able to see a tiny portion of the map and having to hit a button to see what's going on continuously (while preventing movement and leaving you vulnerable) really ruins this game.”
- “I absolutely love the first game, but with the clunky controls and all the other gameplay as well as 3D-related issues already discussed in most of the other reviews, I sadly have to recommend to stay away from the second installment for the time being.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
48%
14%
The music in the game receives mixed feedback: while some praise its mellow, ambient, and charming qualities that complement the visuals and atmosphere, many feel it lacks variation and is repetitive compared to the original's more dynamic and personality-filled soundtrack by Otograph. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated but considered less impactful and memorable than in the first game.
- “The unique tower defense gameplay paired with beautiful visuals and music really caught my attention.”
- “There's a fun atmosphere with the art and music, it controls nicely with 3 different viewpoints available so you always know what the enemies are up to and it runs very nicely.”
- “Graphics are beautiful and the soundtrack never gets boring.”
- “The game is trying to recycle and be as easy to produce as possible without any faith to the original game, and the music is repeatedly abysmal.”
- “The soundtrack isn't made by Otograph again, so it's more mellow, ambient songs that don't really add much to the game like they did in the first one.”
- “This game has the same song/background music throughout the whole.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent bugs, freezing on the reward screen, and problematic multiplayer performance. Despite feedback during beta, many of these glitches remain unaddressed, leading to a frustrating experience.
- “And why is this game so damn demanding when it's incredibly buggy!?”
- “I was really looking forward to playing PixelJunk Monsters 2, despite the developers choosing a 3D aesthetic, but I am extremely disappointed with the number of glitches in this game.”
- “Freezes on the reward screen.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly with good graphics even on older laptops, though some users find menu performance could be sharper.
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor, particularly featuring Monokuma from the Danganronpa series, is highly appreciated by fans and adds a hilarious, nostalgic touch to the game. This crossover element has even motivated some players to pre-order the game for the first time in years.
- “I love how Monokuma found his way into this series (thanks to Spike Chunsoft for that). I'm a big fan of the Danganronpa series, so I found it hilarious seeing enemies with his face.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The story of "Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten" is noted primarily for its conclusion, indicating the ending is a significant aspect. However, limited details are provided about the plot or narrative depth overall.
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game delivers a deeply heartbreaking emotional experience, highlighting its impactful storytelling. Additionally, the developer's lack of subsequent releases suggests they heavily relied on this title's success.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is engaging and enjoyable, enhanced by appealing art and music. The inclusion of three different viewpoints helps maintain situational awareness of enemies, contributing to smooth and immersive gameplay.
- “There's a fun atmosphere with the art and music; it controls nicely with 3 different viewpoints available, so you always know what the enemies are up to, and it runs very well.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the grinding aspect tedious due to problematic matchmaking, which discourages hosting or finding games and limits online multiplayer mostly to private sessions with friends arranged outside the game.
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users suggest that the game’s replayability could be improved, indicating a desire for more content or features that encourage repeated playthroughs.

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72%Critics’ scoreBased on 11 critic reviews

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PixelJunk™ Monsters 2
€14.99
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3h Median play time

28h Average play time

2-80h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

PixelJunk Monsters 2 is a real-time strategy game with fantasy and kids themes.

PixelJunk Monsters 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 28 hours playing PixelJunk Monsters 2.

PixelJunk Monsters 2 was released on May 25, 2018.

PixelJunk Monsters 2 was developed by Q-Games Ltd..

PixelJunk Monsters 2 has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

PixelJunk Monsters 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include PixelJunk™ Monsters Ultimate, For the King 2, Wizard of Legend 2, Wild Woods, Lost Castle 2 and others.

PixelJunk Monsters 2

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