it a series of punches, throws, kicks
or WWE-style wrestling holds, this
enchanting, deeply sarcastic journey
proves itself a Stone Cold Steve
Austin-esque champion at most turns.
The tone is delightful. Whether
it’s goats turning into priests or the
constantly disarming and sarcastic
script, Guacamelee! 2 wins you over
before a punch or standing leg-drop
is ever thrown. While it isn’t as bold
or fresh as the original, this masked
sequel still proves there’s a prominent
place for inventive indies on Xbox
going forward.
General pacing is also brilliant.
Fights against the array of masked
monsters the game throws up aren’t
just satisfying, they also play a
substantial role in Juan’s plaforming.
An especially athletic uppercut, a
graceful roll and dimension-hopping
abilities make the luchador as lithe
as he is lethal. With an assortment
of levels that constantly evolve to
challenge your hero’s powerbombing
skills, Guacamelee! 2 never rests on its
wrestling laurels.Co-flop
While most of the general action is
as satisfying as the original, Juan’s
follow-up extends its reach a little
too far. The addition of four-player
co-op proves messy. On your own,
platforming demands precision and
a sharp mind. With four folk doing
their own thing, surviving the game’s
jumping challenges is downright evil.
Played solo, Guacamelee! 2 is
exhilarating. While quest markers
can be vague, the game’s meat-
and-potatoes pummelling never
disappoints. Thanks to expressive
animation, and a variety of Hulk
Hogan-aping moves, Juan’s wrestling
proves to be WrestleMania-worthy.
Enemies require a changing set of
tactics and even with a full health bar
and several unlocked skill tree moves,
you’d be a fool to take the game’s
Mexican monsters for granted.In spite of some multiplayer
mishaps, Guacamelee! 2 is a
thoroughly charming game. Though
not as inventive as its predecessor,
you’ll be hard-pressed to find a
prettier, more likeable indie effort in- If you’ve got even the slightest
passion for wrestling or platforming,
Juan’s reality-ripping adventure is
close to essential. Wrasslin’ might be
fake in the real world, but when you’re
controlling a ripped (if over the hill)
suplex artist, the results couldn’t be
more cripplingly convincing. Q
CAD TO
THE BONE
The sequel’s title
doesn’t just continue
a terrific pun, it also
alludes to the game’s
central plot.
Guacamelee! 2’s big
bad is obsessed with
a sacred guacamole
recipe, and he’s so
fond of the ancient
avocados, he’s willing
to rip up time and
space as he seeks
three sacred stones
from different
dimensions. Juan
eventually travels to
the ‘Darkest Timeline’
to stop the evil
fruit-lover. It may not
be a story to match
Hogan versus Andre
The Giant, but then
again, WWF never had
talking goats.“Skirmishes in
Guacamelee! 2
are nothing
short of slickly
responsive”
ABOVE In the
seven years
since his first
adventure, Juan
has developed a
bit of a gut.
LEFT Even if you
don’t dip into
co-op, you can
still choose
from a number of
different skins.OXM VERDICT
Spectacular if
spotty, this
wrestler fulfils
more than it
frustrates.8
FAR LEFT Lucha
skirmishes are
frequent and
demand a number
of deft moves
to survive.More Xbox news at gamesradar.com/oxm THE OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE 089