Sludge Life 2
- June 27, 2023
- Devolver Digital
- 6h median play time
Sludge Life 2 is a second verse that feels much the same as the first, but it's still got a bouncy, vivacious, and utterly unique sound.
In Sludge Life 2, play as Ghost on a mission to find the missing rapper frog, Big Mud, in the luxurious Ciggy City Suites. Discover hidden tag spots, interact with various NPCs, and explore a strange open world while equipped with new items and tools. Find Big Mud and let GLUG corporation know your stance by spraying your messages.
Reviews
- Retains the charm and humor of the first game while introducing new characters and environments.
- Offers enjoyable fast-paced gameplay with a focus on exploration and freedom, allowing players to discover secrets at their own pace.
- The art style and soundtrack are praised for their unique and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience.
- Feels shorter and less dense than the first game, with some players expressing disappointment over the amount of content.
- Achievements and certain gameplay mechanics are reported to be buggy or less engaging compared to the original.
- Some players feel that the game lacks the same level of creativity and surprise found in the first installment, making it feel more like an expansion than a true sequel.
- music47 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its refreshing yet familiar vibe, retaining the chill atmosphere of its predecessor while introducing new tracks that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the standout original soundtrack, with particular acclaim for Big Mud's contributions, describing it as "elite" and "absolutely fire." The combination of engaging music, unique art style, and humorous dialogue creates a captivating and immersive environment that players find both charming and enjoyable.
“The incredible OST is the cherry on top.”
“The art style and the soundtrack create such a unique experience.”
“The funny writing and strange characters, really cool and beautiful visuals, and the calming soundtrack really make this game just so charming and fun.”
“Oh, and the first game held back the music a bit more, instead of bombarding you with beats left and right.”
“The art is great and the music really sucks you in.”
“Although regarding the music and the ambiance, it's still very much unique.”
- story43 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in "Sludge Life 2" continues the narrative from the first game, offering players choices that impact their character's fate while exploring themes of friendship and societal critique. While some players appreciate the humor and quirky dialogue, others feel the story is too short and lacks depth compared to its predecessor, often viewing it as more of an episodic continuation rather than a standalone experience. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging characters and immersive world, but some players desire more substantial storytelling and side quests.
“The game actually provides a story and a choice to choose your character's fate.”
“Sludge Life 2 really stays true to the first game; it's really immersive and it continues the storyline from the first game.”
“The story did feel a bit more engaging and the characters were much more charismatic, with more thought put into their dialogue.”
“Narratively speaking, sludge life 2 is more of the same: anarchic ethos in a post-capitalist toxic wasteland, but to a lesser depth, and where it might have shone with a commentary on sociopolitical hypocrisy, there is nothing—an unfinished footnote of a forgotten plot line going absolutely nowhere.”
“Sludge life 2 comes across as more of an episodic sequel, meaning that it sorta slides into the existing story and there doesn’t appear to be much innovation on the original’s strengths or gameplay.”
“My biggest issue though (story spoiler)... you spend most of the game (all 90 minutes of it) hearing people chat about 'big mud' and how they're here to see him, how amazing he is yadda yadda.”
- humor41 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, surreal, and often absurd nature, with players enjoying the witty dialogue, strange characters, and ironic commentary on societal issues. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend fun exploration with laugh-out-loud moments, making it a charming experience despite some critiques of gross humor. Overall, the humor is described as top-notch, clever, and integral to the game's appeal, enhancing the exploration of its unique world.
“Equally a commentary on corporate exploitation of the environment and society as well as a surreal comedy with hilarious writing and characters, all set in a unique and memorable world.”
“The funny writing and strange characters, really cool and beautiful visuals and the calming soundtrack really make this game just so charming and fun.”
“The dialogue is chock-full of irony, irony about irony, and ironic takes on post-ironic speech that will leave you chuckling like a kid.”
- gameplay32 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Sludge Life 2" is characterized by its enjoyable, fast-paced mechanics and a blend of humor and immersive exploration, building on the strengths of the first game while introducing new tools and features. While some players feel it lacks significant innovation and depth compared to its predecessor, the overall experience remains relaxing and fun, appealing to fans of the original. The game successfully maintains its unique style and atmosphere, making it a solid, albeit episodic, sequel.
“Enjoyable fast-paced ADHD-style gameplay, silly humor, more big mud bangers, and of course more sludge, baby!”
“It successfully takes everything that was great about the first game and turns it up a notch; it has more mechanics and much more to explore with the same great tone, sense of humor, and style.”
“The first-person gameplay is quite responsive; I didn't feel sluggish, I could go whenever I wanted, and that was pretty satisfying!”
“So I've said it many times, Sludge Life has a very deep plot that is overshadowed by the gameplay and characters.”
“Don't get me wrong, this is still a decent enough addition to the Sludge Life canon, albeit one shallower in gameplay and characterization, with the look and feel we all came to love, but a true sequel it is not.”
“Sludge Life 2 comes across as more of an episodic sequel, meaning that it sorta slides into the existing story and there doesn’t appear to be much innovation on the original’s strengths or gameplay.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and striking art style, which combines a chill aesthetic with vibrant visuals that enhance the overall narrative experience. While some users note a lack of advanced features like RTX, the beautiful artwork and smooth controls contribute to a charming and immersive atmosphere. Overall, the visuals are described as both appealing and creatively inspiring, making the game a delight for those who appreciate artistic expression in gaming.
“Great art style and world.”
“The art style and the soundtrack create such a unique experience.”
“I just feel like this should have been a DLC for the first game since I don't think much was upgraded graphically and gameplay-wise.”
“The sense of humor is top-notch, strange as are the visuals.”
“The grimy art style is so vivid and unique that it's like someone blended a psychedelic trip with a graffiti artist's wildest dreams.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its refreshing blend of familiar elements and new environments, creating a chill and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the unique and enjoyable ambiance, with some appreciating moments of silence that enhance the eerie vibe. Overall, the atmosphere is consistently rated highly, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“More of the same in the best way possible - retains the attitude, the atmosphere, and the chill music of the first one but it's super refreshing to suddenly have a new set of places to explore.”
“It's a nice atmosphere to explore and vibe.”
“Atmosphere so thick I can barely breathe.”
“Your mileage may vary, but I preferred when the game went silent sometimes to really let the eerie atmosphere seep in a little.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be extensive, often requiring 60 to 100 hours to achieve significant progress. While it is described as time-consuming, it is not considered tedious or frustrating, suggesting a more enjoyable experience despite the lengthy commitment.
“The grinding aspect can take anywhere from 60 to 100 hours, but it's worth the investment.”
“You'll need a second life to fully embrace the grinding experience.”
“Grindy (60 - 100 hours)”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It's nothing tedious or frustrating.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization varies significantly across platforms; on the Steam Deck, players can achieve 40-45fps with adjusted settings, while on high-end PCs, performance is generally good but occasionally marred by noticeable fps drops.
“When I turned on map optimization and lowered some shadows and view distance settings, it seemed to hover in the deck's sweet spot around 40-45fps.”
“Performance-wise on the Steam Deck with its default settings, I was getting around 30-40 FPS.”
“When I turned on map optimization and lowered some shadows and view distance settings, it seemed to hover in the Deck's sweet spot around 40-45 FPS.”
“On the PC with a 3080, 5800X3D, and 16GB of RAM, all settings up to max, the performance seems fine, but has weird moments and FPS drops that are a little jarring.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a stark contrast in replayability, with some users noting that the game actively discourages replaying, while others find it infinitely replayable, suggesting a divide in player experiences regarding this aspect.
“This game offers infinite replayability, keeping me engaged for hours on end.”
“I love how each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, making me want to dive back in.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that no two runs are ever the same.”
“It's weird to see a game that actively prohibits replayability.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy includes advertisements, which some users find adds unexpected moments to the gameplay, but overall, it does not significantly enhance the game's size or density compared to its predecessor.
“Despite the advertising, this isn't any bigger or denser than the first game.”
“The monetization feels excessive and detracts from the overall experience.”
“I feel pressured to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game is largely bug-free, indicating a high level of stability.
“The game runs smoothly without any bugs.”
“I haven't encountered any stability issues during my gameplay.”
“The performance is consistent, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
Critic Reviews
Sludge Life 2 Review - Hashtag Murky
Sludge Life 2 is a second verse that feels much the same as the first, but it's still got a bouncy, vivacious, and utterly unique sound.
75%Sludge Life 2 Review (PC)
Sludge Life 2 takes the best ideas of the first game and improves on them all. There are more interesting characters to have conversations with, more hotel rooms filled with small but effective narrative moments, more spots to tag, and more ciggies to collect. There’s plenty of dark water under the hotel and weird vistas to photograph. The game’s presentation serves it well, although I wished the world changed as players tag and find new secrets. Sludge Life 2 doesn’t have the deepest gameplay in its genre or the most complex story, but its anarchic-punk-nicotine vibe is immersive and fun. A review key was provided by the publisher
90%Sludge Life 2 Review – A good time, not a long time
If you appreciate unconventional and visually captivating experiences, Sludge Life 2 offers a distinctive journey through a world filled with peculiar characters and a vibrant urban landscape. However, those seeking a more narratively satisfying adventure should probably look elsewhere. Sludge Life 2 is a game that will appeal to a specific audience, but not all players will find it to be a lasting and fulfilling experience.
70%