Guacamelee! 2

Arrows con pollo.

Beautifully brought to life in vivid art-style, Guacamelee! 2 is a worthy follow-up and an essential experience. It doesn't change too much but offers a satisfying and challenging adventure for even the most jaded Metroidvania fan.

If you enjoyed the original Guacamelee!, this sequel is an absolute must. It’s not going to particularly surprise you in any way, but it’s certainly going to have you grinning from ear to ear as you play. Also, if you liked the original Guacamelee! but found its platforming and bosses a little too hard in the latter stages, you’ll find Guacamelee! 2 to be much more enjoyable. Those who didn’t like Guacamelee!, however, won’t really find anything here to change their minds. Guacamelee! 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it just makes sure it looks prettier while flattening out any bumps.

Those looking for a lengthier Guacamelee story than the original will be disappointed to hear that this story clocks in at well under 10 hours. That's perfectly fine, as it prevents the game's premise from wearing thin. There's also a big challenge ahead in finding everything, which should keep those hailing from the Perfectionist Timeline busy for while.

A dazzling, thrilling action-platformer with a potent cocktail of combat and platforming components, all set in one of the most appealing game worlds around. It's not a massive progression from the original, and its sheer relentlessness can prove tiresome, but Guacamelee! 2 is a real celebration of a sequel.

It’s been more than five years since DrinkBox Studios first released Guacamelee!. When it released, the game was a great success, earning stellar reviews from critics. Its story, art, and gameplay were all praised for being fresh and exciting. But again, five years have gone by. The gaming climate is different now. Does Guacamelee! 2 stand as tall as its predecessor? I’m not going to beat around the bush here. The answer is yes.

The Chosen Juan returns to a ring littered with contenders.

Guacamelee 2 is a brilliantly made game on the presentation front and its few flaws don't limit its enjoyment.

The appeal of the first Guacamelee was how it combined familiar Metroidvania structure with a unique style and extremely engaging combat. Drinkbox’s sequel doubles down on that with a even crazier story and a longer journey, but it often feels too familiar when it comes to gameplay.

Guacamelee 2 is a very safe sequel that does little to innovate or surprise, but it's still a solid action-platformer with satisfying combat, tight controls, and an undeniable charm.

Drinkbox Studios has already made a name for itself on PSN with colourful platformers like Mutant Blobs Attack. Guacamelee suggests a real step-up in terms of ambition, and that's a welcome move - even if it does perhaps come at the cost of a little polish. Like the best luchadores in the business, Guacamelee has real heart and a blazing desire to put on a good show.

The gorgeous Mexiverse and hotheaded combat and puzzles are entertaining, but overall Guacamelee! 2 lacks the tightness that made its predecessor such a hoot from start to finish. A criticism levelled at the first game was that it was too short, but on the evidence offered here I think the series is better off lean and speedy. There isn’t enough substance to keep you wholeheartedly engaged otherwise.