Summary:
In 2014 I wrote a Guacamelee! review with the title "100% complete and I still want more!". On the outside, Guacamelee! 2 seems to be exactly that. And yet, here I am writing a "not recommended" review.
Guacamelee! 2 in my view simply retreads too much ground to have the same magic that the first one did. It has you starting from scratch and unlocking many of the same moves you had in the first game. While the pacing is faster in this game, it is far less satisfying due to the familiarity. What new abilities are added feel more like bonuses than integral parts of the experience. This rehashing partially extends to the story as well. Several characters are reused but aren't built upon in a meaningful way.
The visuals, sound, and combotastic combat are all still vibrant and appealing. However, at the end of the day there are enough great Metroidvanias out there that I can't recommend this game unless you've already exhausted much of that supply.
Full review:
DrinkBox Studios was in a tough spot with Guacamelee! 2. They set the bar so high with the first game, that making a follow up that somehow added to the series was going to be a major challenge. I think they were cognizant of this when they chose not to immediately start working on a sequel.
I'm aware that my expectations were likely too high for this game. It is an adequate sequel by most standards, but adequate still felt like a letdown to me. Judging by other reviews I seem to be in the minority with this opinion. But digging in the forums reveals that I'm certainly not alone. Others have reported not caring enough to do the optional content in this game whereas they were ravenous for every scrap of content in the prequel.
Pacing and running out of good new platforming designs are the areas I think Guacamelee! 2 fell short the most. The opening hours of the game are too restricted and easy for veterans of the series. Some later dungeons do reach the heights of the first game. There are a handful of optional dungeons that range from enjoyable to rage inducing. One in particular seems to have taken inspiration from Flappy Bird and made me want to throw my controller through a window. Guacamelee!'s platforming is at its best when it's forcing you to rapidly combine abilities in creative ways, not forcing you to use one or two abilities with extreme precision for extended periods. That's the wrong kind of challenging IMO.
It's not all bad though. The combat is still a blast and I did enjoy some of the platforming. Juan still controls very well, as does your beefed up chicken form. The style of music isn't my cup of guac, but it is skillfully produced. It has the same tonal shifts when dimension hopping, lending a congruency between the dimensions while still making the land of the living and the dead sound distinct.
The comedy was hit and miss for me. Not being as up on the memeverse, I'm sure some references went right over my head. The chicken Illuminati is as fanatical and absurd as you'd expect, making for some charming moments. The main villain is rather Saiyan-like in his intensity and inability to admit to any weakness.
Guacamelee! fans, if my warnings haven't dissuaded you, dawn that Luchador mask once again and get this game. Everyone else, I suggest considering other options or at least set your expectations appropriately.