Gimmick! 2 is a sequel to a game from 1992 and not one that was overly popular in its day. The platformer had its niche audience, but it really failed to take off like other platformers that were popular during that time. That was the era of Mario and Sonic, both of whom dominated the genre for years. Gimmick was left on the outside looking in, and if the sequel that was developed for a 32-year-old game in 2024 is any indication, that may have been a glaring oversight. Overload PR was gracious enough to send us a review copy, and here’s what we thought.
Pros for Gimmick! 2
Levels
Gimmick 2! has a lot working for it. The level design is absolutely fabulous. They’re lengthy levels, significantly longer than most platforming levels you’d find. The game design oozes creativity and it genuinely feels as if the developers tried to do something unique and special with the genre as opposed to just reviving an old IP for the sake of nostalgia.
Gameplay
Another pro is the gameplay itself. The game feels like a mashup of different aspects of the Kirby franchise, Super Mario, and even The Legend of Zelda. That is high praise from this particular reviewer. There are small puzzles in different areas like a classic Zelda dungeon. You can move around on platforms like in Mario games, and of course, you look like Kirby.
The gameplay is also a feat of development. It’s almost perfectly balanced. Even in the very first level, which is generally pretty easy in most games, there are real challenges. Some of the things you need to do to progress through Gimmick! 2 are actually hard. Where some platformers give little to no challenge, this game strikes a perfect balance between challenge and fun. It’s satisfyingly difficult but far from overwhelmingly hard.
Music
While the in-game music might not stand against some of the most iconic sounds from other video games, it is an excellent addition to the game. It’s whimsical and perfectly matches the nature of the game. If you’re stuck repeating a section of the game over and over again, you will not grow tired of hearing the background music.
Cons for Gimmick! 2
There are very few cons for Gimmick! 2. The game does suffer from a bit of repetition, and some pieces of levels do feel a little familiar at times. The developers did a good job of adjusting the lighting in certain areas of the game to make things feel like they’re changing more often than they really are, but there is some repetition that can’t be avoided. It’s only a slight con, though.
Score: 4.5/5
In Conclusion
Gimmick 2! might not have been released with a lot of fanfare, but the game quickly proved that that was another oversight. The platforming genre might not be a difficult one to make a game for, but it is one that’s dominated by some titans of gaming (which now includes Astro Bot). It is a stunning mashup of classic and beloved game franchises, and it’s some of the most fun gaming you’ll have in 2024.
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