Spelunky 2

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,286 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Spelunky 2 Game Cover
Spelunky 2 improves upon the original in every conceivable way, and if you can tolerate the difficulty is an absolute must-play.
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"Spelunky 2" is a roguelike platformer sequel featuring a new generation of explorers on the Moon. The game boasts a bigger and more dynamic world with branching paths, multilayered levels, and interactive elements. Build a community in Base Camp, make friends, and tame animals for a more immersive experience. This sequel stays true to the original's challenging, randomly generated gameplay while adding new layers of complexity and fun.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,286 reviews
gameplay202 positive mentions
grinding70 negative mentions
  • gameplay719 mentions

    The gameplay of Spelunky 2 is characterized by its challenging and addictive mechanics, which build upon the foundation of its predecessor while introducing new elements and complexities. Players appreciate the tight controls and the rewarding nature of mastering its systems, though many express frustration with the game's punishing difficulty and occasional unfair mechanics. Overall, the game offers a rich experience filled with secrets and emergent gameplay, making it a compelling choice for fans of roguelikes, despite its steep learning curve.

    • “Insanely addictive, amazing/solid gameplay, insanely responsive especially with a controller.”
    • “The gameplay is very interesting but it is easy for new players to understand.”
    • “The gameplay loop is addicting and the world is full of surprises.”
    • “The game's tutorial mostly shows you how to move around but explains nothing about the game's mechanics, goals, etc. From what I am reading, I am guessing this game was mostly just made for people who already played the first one.”
    • “As of the update before last, the game is now unplayable in multiplayer due to unbearable sync issues, halting gameplay for sometimes more than a minute.”
    • “The movement mechanics in Spelunky 2 feel gummy compared to the first game.”
  • music366 mentions

    The music in Spelunky 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it lacks the variety and catchy tunes of its predecessor, Spelunky HD. While some appreciate the atmospheric quality of the new soundtrack, the repetitive nature of having only one track per area has led to frustration among players, often prompting them to mute the game and play their own music instead. Overall, while the soundtrack is considered good by some, it is generally viewed as a significant downgrade compared to the original game's more dynamic and varied music.

    • “An amazing soundtrack, beautiful visuals, great game design in general.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, the areas are interesting and full of cool stuff, the gameplay is unforgiving but that's what I love about it.”
    • “The music fits the various biomes you'll trek without being distracting or grating on the ears.”
    • “The soundtrack is totally lame and does not compare even a little bit to the amazing soundtrack of the first game.”
    • “The music is more game-thematic this time around, but it doesn't slap as much as the first game.”
    • “The only thing I can find to complain about so far is the music.”
  • graphics278 mentions

    The graphics of Spelunky 2 have received widespread praise for their vibrant and charming art style, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the smooth animations, improved visual clarity, and the nostalgic 2D aesthetic that balances both familiarity and innovation. While some critiques mention a preference for the original game's art style, the consensus is that the updated graphics significantly elevate the game's appeal and contribute to its engaging atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are wonderful, the animations are cute, and the gameplay is frustrating but rewarding.”
    • “The art style is charming and adorable in comparison to how brutal the moment-to-moment gameplay can feel sometimes.”
    • “The visuals and sound only serve to heighten the experience to another level.”
    • “The graphics have been simplified to the point they look distinctly worse and less readable.”
    • “The graphical style is atrocious, with low saturation color palettes and a lack of stroking.”
    • “Don't let the improved visuals fool you, this game is less polished than the first one, not more.”
  • humor206 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the hilarity of unexpected deaths and chaotic multiplayer interactions. Many reviews emphasize that the game's challenging mechanics lead to amusing scenarios, often resulting in laughter even amidst frustration. Overall, the combination of slapstick moments and absurd situations makes it one of the funniest co-op experiences available.

    • “Almost every death is hilarious and unexpected.”
    • “The deaths can be hilarious.”
    • “Discovering new hilarious ways to die never ceases to amuse me!”
  • replayability166 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many reviewers noting its procedurally generated levels, numerous secrets, and branching paths that ensure no two runs are the same. Players appreciate the high skill ceiling and the challenge it presents, which keeps them engaged for countless hours. While some critiques mention a decrease in replayability compared to its predecessor, the overall consensus is that the game offers near-infinite replay value, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

    • “This game has an incredible amount of content and replayability.”
    • “The procedurally generated levels, along with the complex interactions among the player, the enemies, and the levels themselves, allow for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of replayability.”
    • “It's a fantastic game with almost eternal replayability.”
    • “It's not a bad game, but it has more flaws than the first game and loses the endless replayability, which is a shame since there's so much added content.”
    • “This game doesn't even have any replayability at all.”
    • “Consequently there is no threshold that most players can reach to make this game fully enjoyable, it will always be tainted by the sting of sudden and unavoidable losses meant to artificially produce a fake sense of challenge and replayability.”
  • story114 mentions

    The story in Spelunky 2 builds upon its predecessor, featuring a quest to find the protagonist's missing family while introducing new characters and quests that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the deeper narrative and character arcs, others find the story minimal and secondary to the core gameplay, with mixed opinions on its overall impact. The game offers a blend of familiar elements and new content, making it engaging for fans of the original while also presenting challenges that can overshadow the narrative.

    • “The story of this game starts as the daughter of the protagonist from Spelunky, and you are searching for your parents who went on an adventure and went missing.”
    • “A slew of beautifully remastered returning characters and an airtight story pepper the meat-and-potatoes of this perfect sequel: it's more of the same, and then some.”
    • “Spelunky 2 is building on top of the first game with all of those things, and an actual story.”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “The story is little more than dressing for a game specifically designed to frustrate players, and pontificate that the only correct and valid way to learn anything is through constant, relentless failure.”
    • “The story, as with the first game, is mostly meaningless for the core gameplay, but does give the game an excuse to flood you with cute dogs and cats and other lovely critters.”
  • grinding76 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in the early stages like the Dwelling, which is often described as a chore filled with frustrating obstacles and instant-death mechanics. While some appreciate the challenge and variety in gameplay, many feel that the constant need to repeat sections due to the game's design leads to a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable one. Overall, the consensus is that the game can be enjoyable but is marred by its tedious grinding elements.

    • “You need to learn to win, and to learn you have to die. It's impossible to win on your first attempt, but it's not grindy since every run is different.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game is so weighted against the player that it loses its charm really quickly and becomes a tedious slog through the same areas over and over.”
    • “You'll be seeing the dwelling a lot, and it's not difficult so much as it is tedious, homogenous and time consuming.”
    • “It becomes tedious really quickly, and for that, I cannot recommend Spelunky 2.”
  • emotional40 mentions

    Players express a profound emotional connection to games like Spelunky 2, often experiencing intense feelings of grief, frustration, and joy throughout their gameplay. The emotional weight of loss, coupled with the game's punishing difficulty, leads to moments of catharsis, where players find themselves crying yet compelled to return for more. This blend of heartache and triumph creates a unique emotional landscape that resonates deeply, making the gaming experience both challenging and rewarding.

    • “As we process the reality of our loss, we are also trying to survive emotional pain.”
    • “This game consistently beats the shit out of me, physically and emotionally.”
    • “And every run, every loss, every heartbreaking failure will make the victory ever sweeter.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    Overall, "Spelunky 2" exhibits a mixed bag of optimization experiences among players. While some report smooth performance and improvements post-launch, others encounter significant stuttering, inconsistent mechanics, and control issues that detract from gameplay. The developers are actively addressing these concerns, but many users still recommend waiting for further quality of life and optimization updates before diving in.

    • “The consistency of the Spelunky formula is what gives birth to both high-level optimizations and the classic Spelunky shenanigans most people know and probably love.”
    • “Its optimization is crisp and buttery smooth and there are many different goals you can try to reach, although it may be hard and infuriating at times.”
    • “Edit: one week after release they've added a low VFX option and optimized the game a bit more, my laptop now runs it almost perfectly, thank you!”
    • “Inconsistent mechanics, insufferable hitboxes, bad RNG, unoptimized and confusing controls (attacking instead of picking up something because your stick wasn't pulled down to the absolute bottom), and new mechanics are usually taught by killing you with them, which wouldn't be bad if you hadn't sunk over an hour into a run only to be killed by something that you knew nothing about.”
    • “My review will stand as recommending you stay far away from this game until we get actual quality of life and optimization improvements.”
    • “Spotty optimization and performance on a 2D platformer even with high-end hardware.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere in Spelunky 2 is a mixed bag, with some players praising its beautiful, individual environments and dynamic music that enhances the experience, while others feel it lacks the charm and intensity of its predecessor. The game offers a warm and creative atmosphere with diverse settings, but opinions vary on the effectiveness of the soundtrack, with some finding it repetitive and less atmospheric than before. Overall, while the art and design are often highlighted as impressive, there are critiques regarding the consistency and impact of the atmosphere throughout the game.

    • “It's that moment when you strike that perfect medium of pacing, you absorb the randomly generated environment; the soundtrack, seamlessly being woven together to create this incredible atmosphere, that's when you can truly appreciate Spelunky.”
    • “The art style is quite different both visually and musically from its predecessor, but the game, to me, retains the atmosphere and overall feel of the experience.”
    • “This game is a marvel of tight, elegant design, and this is entirely without getting into how incredibly bright and expressive its art is, how catchy and atmospheric its soundtrack is, or the sheer, staggering amount of content inside.”
    • “The art is sometimes excellent and sometimes meh, lacking in that all-important atmosphere.”
    • “If you like games with atmosphere, story, and character progression, look elsewhere.”
    • “It's basically the mechanics where they're improved a lot, but the music, core loop, and overall magical atmosphere isn't there anymore.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing concerns that it feels like a cash grab, lacking innovation and relying on unfair RNG mechanics. However, others argue that despite initial worries, the game ultimately respects its predecessor and offers a worthy sequel, distancing itself from typical AAA cash grabs. Overall, opinions are divided on whether the monetization strategy enhances or detracts from the game's value.

    • “This 'game' is just a cash grab.”
    • “However, Spelunky 2 feels like a cash grab that failed to innovate.”
    • “This game just feels like a quick cash grab.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability is marked by frequent glitches that detract from the overall experience, leading some users to advise against purchasing it. However, many players feel that the challenges presented are fair and not a result of inconsistent mechanics.

    • “Garbage game filled with glitches, do not buy even on a sale.”
    • “Aside from the occasional glitches, the game is very fun to play.”
    • “Dying/losing is punishing, but (almost) always feels deserved, rather than like the game is 'cheating' or buggy or inconsistent.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviewers praise the game's character development for its impressive art and design, highlighting the appeal of both the new character designs and the significant addition of new characters to unlock.

    • “I really like the newer character designs and the big influx of new characters to unlock.”
    • “Amazing art and character design.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

Buy Spelunky 2

Play time

52hMedian play time
132hAverage play time
9-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 82 analyzed playthroughs

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