LocoRoco was one of those rare games
that didn’t look or play like anything else on the market. Its unique brand of
platforming did not come from side-scrolling gameplay in the traditional sense.
Instead, the developers built its originality from the ground up, creating an
action/adventure with heavy influence from puzzle designs not typically seen in
video games. To top it off, they wrapped this bright, colorful package in a
control scheme that would have the player manipulating the world instead of the
main character.
LocoRoco was pure, unrelenting
innovation. Whether you liked or loathed the gameplay, it was impossible not to
value what the developers had accomplished. But as we’re all aware, the downside
of innovation is that it only happens once; without drastic changes or an
entirely new game concept, the gameplay that once blew minds won’t be as
impressive the second time around.
The developers of LocoRoco 2 surely
knew this and decided to stick with the same format anyway. But while that means
you won’t be stunned by what this sequel has to offer, it does contain several
impressive moments. The levels are longer, deeper and less forgiving; berries
are hidden more cleverly (unlike the first game, you won’t find a cluster of
five in the same obvious area); underwater stages have been added; and you now
have the ability to smash through barriers using a LocoRoco-protecting shell.
Of course, the question on most
gamers’ minds will be: does the new or enhanced content justify a purchase? Fans
of the original will be pleased, so a purchase is definitely justified. But
given the similarities between the two games, those who didn’t like the original
should pass on LocoRoco 2. However, if you haven’t played the series before but
enjoy platformers and puzzle games, skip this review, skip the first game and
jump ahead to the sequel.
LocoRoco 2 doesn’t begin with any
drastic changes. You’re still in control of Kulche, the always-smiling yellow
LocoRoco. The first batch of levels are almost too familiar with colors,
windpipes, long crevices and semi-predictable patterns that closely mirror the
original game. That changes when water is introduced. By holding the circle
button (which is still used to split or connect your LocoRocos), Kulche will
sink below the surface. Now you can control him while submerged just as you do
outside of water – by tilting the world around him.
Water isn’t a groundbreaking
addition but it does present a few challenges. For starters, jumping is not
possible. When holding one of the shoulder buttons and pressing the other,
Kulche will float upward. Depending on how the level is tilted, you may actually
be floating left or right. Spikes and other enemy traps are used to keep things
interesting. Upon reaching the surface, Kulche will float on top of the water’s
surface as normal and may jump out to reach land.
Pulling a trick out of the bouncy
ball playbook, LocoRoco 2 introduces the use of shells. These rock-hard casings
have somewhat of an oval shape (excluding the ice shell, which is completely
round). Shells bounce more intensely, they are impervious to spikes (and will
destroy them!), and can plow through any designated barrier. You’ll know which
barriers by the light color and odd speckles placed all over them.
Water and shells gave Sony something
to hype, but the best part of LocoRoco 2 is the level design. The twisting and
frequently winding levels were to be expected; just how far the developers were
willing to go, however, is what’s surprising. In simple terms, these levels are
like giant pinball machines – the most complex of their kind yet are still
completely manageable (and easy enough to play through) that you won’t have to
pull your hair out.
LocoRocos are constantly being
pushed, pulled and bounced off each environment, the variety of which includes
ice, grass, dirt, wood and various undefined sticky and rubber-like materials.
Some levels will send you gliding through the air while others twist you around
like food going through a human’s digestive system. There are half-pipes (that
you’ll slide up and down), corkscrew trap doors (that will spin you around),
creature cannons (back from the first game), and shape-changing objects that
will deform your LocoRocos to conform to each scenario.
Toward the end you’ll encounter a
stage that takes place entirely on one platform, which is being pulled up to
something big (I’ll keep that spoiler a secret). There is nothing underneath the
platform to catch your LocoRoco if it falls. Tilting the world tilts the
platform, thus making it much easier to fall. At the same time, enemies fly by
and drop large boulders on the platform which tilts sharply in either direction.
This exciting level can be as easy
or as difficult as you want. If you’re a perfectionist, chances are you’ll want
to capture every berry available, which feels next to impossible. That feeling
is a common one while playing LocoRoco 2; if you just want to run through the
stages and enjoy them as is, the game is pretty easy. But the moment you crave
perfection from yourself, the game is all but a nightmare. As with the original,
backtracking is only possible to a point – once you’ve hit a certain part of
each stage, there’s no going back. Checkpoints are not a part of the LocoRoco 2
experience. In other words, those who want every collectible must play
flawlessly.
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Gameplay: 8.5
Having built a solid foundation with the first game, the developers are now
starting to dabble in new kinds of level designs. The results make LocoRoco 2 a
must-play sequel.
Graphics: 7.5
You’ll have a hard time telling the difference between LocoRoco 2 and
LocoRoco 1. The Flash-style visuals still look good, but where are the
enhancements and advancements?
Sound: 6.9
Not nearly as catchy as the original.
Difficulty: Easy/Hard
In general, LocoRoco 2 is an easy game. But if you want a serious challenge,
try to collect every item in every stage.
Concept: 7.5
LocoRoco 2 isn’t the innovative action/puzzler that the first game was, but
it has many cool and exciting moments that will keep you entertained.
Multiplayer: 7.0
Four-player ad hoc gameplay for more LocoRoco madness.
Overall: 8.2
A great sequel to one of the PSP’s best franchises, LocoRoco 2 is definitely
a game fans of the original will want in their collection.
