PixelJunk Monsters 2

53%
Game Brain Score Based on 180 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
PixelJunk Monsters 2 Game Cover
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In "PixelJunk Monsters 2" , you play as Tikiman, the spirit of the forest, and defend your home from invasions of mysterious monsters. You protect Chibis, the future of the Tiki tribe, by building and upgrading towers to fend off attacks that come in waves. Successfully defending Chibis unlocks new stages, and collecting Rainbow Fragments allows you to unlock additional content.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

53%
Audience ScoreBased on 180 reviews
graphics28 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • The game features addictive classic tower defense gameplay that retains the charm of the original.
  • The 3D visuals are superbly charming, and the gentle soundtrack enhances the overall experience.
  • The game offers various challenges that add value and replayability.
  • The camera issues and inability to see the entire map at once significantly detract from the gameplay experience.
  • Multiplayer functionality is broken, with players experiencing connection issues and limited progress sharing.
  • The game feels like a departure from the original, with many design choices that frustrate long-time fans.
  • graphics53 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant and beautiful 3D visuals that enhance the overall aesthetic. However, some players feel that the shift from the original 2D art style has negatively impacted gameplay, making it harder to navigate and diminishing the immersive experience. While the graphics are generally considered an improvement, they have also introduced new challenges that detract from the fun and accessibility of the game.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, the towers are fun, and the challenge is real.”
    • “The artwork in the game is vibrant.”
    • “The visuals are stunning and create a fresh new take on the tiki world.”
    • “This game looked so promising, but do not let the cute graphics fool you.”
    • “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 was extremely disappointed with the amount of glitches in this game, despite looking forward to playing Pixeljunk Monsters 2 with its 3D aesthetic.”
  • gameplay35 mentions

    The gameplay of Pixeljunk Monsters 2 has received mixed reviews, with many fans expressing disappointment over the changes from the original, particularly regarding mechanics that detract from the enjoyment, such as limited visibility and clunky controls. While some appreciate the visual upgrades and new co-op features, others feel that the core tower defense mechanics have not been improved and can be frustrating, especially for those familiar with the first game. Overall, the game retains its addictive tower defense roots but struggles with execution and player experience.

    • “The unique tower defense gameplay paired with beautiful visuals and music really caught my attention.”
    • “Changes from the original game are minor gameplay-wise, but the visual update and additional co-op support breathes new life into the series.”
    • “Overall, it's the same style of gameplay as the first game (tower defense) and holds up well.”
    • “The gameplay for two is not good.”
    • “A graphical improvement but huge gameplay deprovement 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.”
  • music21 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive and monotonous nature compared to the original's more engaging soundtrack. While some appreciate the mellow and ambient qualities of the new music, others feel it lacks the personality and variation that made the first game's music memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a weaker aspect of the game, failing to enhance the gameplay experience as effectively as its predecessor.

    • “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.”
    • “Music is repetitive and monotonous, much better in the first.”
    • “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 repeatably abysmal.”
    • “This game has the same song/background music throughout the whole.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The stability of Pixeljunk Monsters 2 has been criticized for being plagued with numerous bugs and glitches, including freezing during reward screens and significant issues in multiplayer mode. Players express disappointment over unresolved problems from the beta phase, which detracts from the overall gaming experience.

    • “And why is this game so demanding when it's incredibly buggy!?”
    • “I was one of those people who was really looking forward to playing PixelJunk Monsters 2, despite the fact that the developers decided to go with a 3D aesthetic, but I am extremely disappointed with the amount of glitches in this game.”
    • “Every single thing I suggested they address during the beta has yet to be changed; multiplayer is buggy as hell, and some ridiculous design decisions make it rather infuriating to play -- the worst offender being their decision to let only the host of a game unlock new things.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the inclusion of Monokuma, a beloved character from the Danganronpa series, which adds a comedic twist to the enemies encountered. Fans appreciate the clever integration of this character, enhancing the overall enjoyment and nostalgia for long-time gamers.

    • “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.”
    • “Funny thing is, this was the first game I have ever pre-ordered after decades of being a gamer.”
  • story1 mentions

    The story aspect is perceived as lacking depth or resolution, with users indicating a sense of finality or abruptness in the narrative.

  • emotional1 mentions

    The game is described as deeply heartbreaking, suggesting a strong emotional impact on players. The absence of new releases from the developer indicates that they were heavily reliant on the success of this title.

    • “This game is heartbreaking, and the fact there have been no new games from this developer pretty much shows they were counting on this one.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its engaging art and music, complemented by smooth controls and multiple viewpoints that enhance gameplay awareness. Overall, it creates a fun and immersive experience for players.

    • “There's a fun atmosphere with the art and music, and it controls nicely with three different viewpoints available, so you always know what the enemies are up to. It runs very smoothly.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is well-optimized, allowing it to run smoothly on older hardware while still delivering good graphics quality.

    • “What I like about this game is that it can run on my old laptop, but the graphics are still good and the game runs smoothly.”
    • “The optimization in this game is impressive; it allows for a seamless experience even on lower-end hardware.”
    • “I appreciate how well-optimized this game is, making it accessible to a wider range of players without sacrificing quality.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of matchmaking, suggesting that its tedious nature could deter them from engaging in online multiplayer. If the current system persists, many feel that the experience will be limited to private sessions with friends, rather than a vibrant online community.

    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “Matchmaking is so tedious that it kills the desire to host or find games, turning 'online multiplayer' into a chore.”
    • “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users highlight that the game offers significant replayability through various modes, challenges, and customizable options that encourage multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of different strategies and outcomes keeps the experience fresh and engaging, making players eager to return. Overall, the game successfully enhances its longevity by providing diverse content and experiences.

    • “The game offers endless replayability with its dynamic storylines and multiple endings, ensuring that each playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
    • “With a variety of character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and time again.”
    • “The procedurally generated levels keep the gameplay experience unique, making every run feel like a new adventure.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

Buy PixelJunk Monsters 2

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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