Evoland 2: A Slight Case of Spacetime Continuum Disorder

Okay, I'm gonna just say it:
This is one of the best games I've ever played.
Now, I loved the first Evoland. And I even saw plenty of reviews that said that Evoland 2 went beyond their expectations, but never did I expect this.
Not only was this a great story, a great game and a great experience, but the work that went into this must have been completely ridiculous. Not only was the entire world created, but (SPOILER!!!) it was created four times over with different graphics
I can't believe how many different gameplay sections were in this game. References to all my favourites and more :)
The ONLY single thing I can point out is that right near the end of the game, I noticed a couple typos.
So I'm going to go ahead and give this a 99% rating.
I definitely do not regret buying this and I hope the creators will continue to create great games <3
Can't wait for the next one.
EDIT: Completely forgot to mention the fantastic soundtrack. Definitely worth it.
EDIT2: I can't remember the last time I was this sad to actually know that I completed a game.
EDIT3: Someone brought to my attention that it's not obvious that this game is NOT a very serious game in terms of tone. Some parts of it are more serious, but despite some it certainly is a more lighthearted game and enjoys parodies, references and Easter eggs. I personally thought the story and concept was brilliantly constructed and I can only give my own opinion.

Introduction
The first Evoland was fun and unique, but at the same time also very short, linear and, dare I say, even a bit boring. So, has the game evolved into something better with Evoland 2 or is it just more of the same with more of that gimmicky gameplay? Read all about it right here!
Gameplay
To be short and to be honest it really is more of the same. But it’s done way better, for the most part. While the first one was to-the-point and focused (maybe a bit too focused) this sequel takes the time to expand on pretty much everything. But, like everything, this has some positive and negative effects.
First of all, the script has been upgraded. This in turn makes the story much, much longer and more fleshed out and it might possibly make you feel for (one or more of) the characters that accompany you on your journey. There are some funny moments and a whole lot of references to popular movies, TV shows and other games. It all still is rather linear, though, so I guess that hasn’t changed, and it also feels too ‘old school’ at times, but just wrapped in a more modern package.
The engine has also been upgraded to allow more types of gameplay to be shown. While there are still gameplay sections in it that you have also already played during the first game there are now many more. I can’t list them all I’m afraid, partly due to the character limit and my memory, but a few of the new gameplay types included are puzzles (clearly inspired by Professor Layton), music segments (clearly inspired by Guitar Hero), shoot ‘em ups (‘bullet hell’-like games) and stealth (clearly inspired by Metal Gear Solid).
I personally think it’s incredibly impressive to have an engine that can handle and show all these different types of gameplay and graphics without breaking a sweat. And I haven’t encountered any loading screens either, now that I think of it (except for the initial loading screen, but that speaks for itself I think).
The problem with having many types of different gameplay is that, even though there are a lot of fun ones, there will always be genres that people just dislike and maybe even hate. Now that most of these gameplay types have been expanded upon it’s possible that parts of it might start to drag or bore sooner than the developer had hoped for. I personally hated the shoot ‘em up part; it felt that it took too long and it was also quite challenging. But, then again, you can’t please everyone. But they certainly tried, that’s for sure.
However, none of the added gameplay types really add anything to the game, but like the first game it’s a fun ride if you’ve been playing games all your life or if you are just interested in game history. You will see a lot of different types of gameplay come by during your playthrough.
But I can’t help but wonder if the game would’ve been even better if they had focused on just a couple of gameplay mechanics (the ones you would normally see in other RPGs plus a few unique ones) instead of adding tens of different, sometimes even useless, genres and mechanics. Probably not, though.
And even though it’s just a small part of the game the puzzles are, everything considered, well done, except for one or two. Unfortunately one of them even ‘broke’ the game for me as it became unsolvable. I am talking about the mammoth puzzle, which I was unable to solve on my first try. It’s actually really easy, but I did something (read: chose poorly) and wasn’t able to solve the puzzle because of it. With no way to reset the puzzle or fix it I had to load up my previous save game, which was fortunately just one or two minutes earlier. A bit sloppy, but I can forgive them.
Audio & Visuals
The music is exactly what you would expect in a game like this. It has a modern, symphonic soundtrack, similar to a lot of other soundtracks from years and games gone by. Rest assured: it’s not plagiarism. And somehow it also still has that retro feel.
The sound effects are also great, with a lot of beeps and ‘plings’ that we all should be familiar with I think. There is no voice acting, by the way.
Like the many genres included the game also has many (although not as many) different graphics. These range from 32-bit 2D and 2.5D to 3D, and each has its own style. It all runs at a solid 60FPS, too, and the colors just pop off the screen; they’re very vibrant and sharp, which I always love.
But in comparison it looks mostly the same as the first Evoland, with naturally some improvements added here and there.
All in all Evoland II manages to keep the graphics quality very consistent for the entire duration of the game. Another impressive feat for such a lengthy game!
Length/Replay Value
Where the first Evoland took roughly 3-4 hours to complete the length of the sequel has been increased to at least 19 hours, and most of it feels like proper content and not just filler content.
You can put in even more hours than that if you want to collect absolutely everything so all things considered it’s definitely worth the asking price. It might not be interesting for the entire duration, but almost every game suffers from that problem in my opinion.
It’s also not a game that you will replay often; once you’re done with it it’s likely you won’t play it again until at least several months/years later, and most of you (including me) probably won’t ever play it ever again. Still, absolutely worth the asking price if you ask me.
Conclusion
Wow, Evoland II sure managed to impress me. I expected more of the same to be honest, which is definitely true, but the sequel pretty much improves on every aspect of the first game. It doesn’t make the game perfect – there are still a few flaws here and there – but I absolutely like the direction it’s heading into. There are also still a few too many gimmicks gameplay wise, but if they promise to take care of this in Evoland 3 (either by removing them or fleshing them out) then I’m sure it will be nothing short of amazing. An amazing love letter to videogames (as well as other media)! Bravo!
Too long, didn’t read
Pros:
+ The game engine can handle many different types of gameplay and visuals which is very impressive
+ Plenty of variety in gameplay
+ Visually breathtaking/Excellent art style
+ More fleshed out and longer than its predecessor
+ Collectibles and secrets
Mixed:
+/- It’s a little more open but it’s all still a bit too linear
+/- Because of the variety there may be certain parts that you wish were longer or shorter
Cons:
- No freedom in upgrading your character; feels a bit tacked on
- You may dislike one or two genres
- Some bugs and glitches

Please note: a Steam key for this game was provided by the developer.

Rating: 8.0 (out of 10)
(Ratings aren’t calculated based on a formula, but on my personal feelings)
Please feel free to join my group, DJ’s reviews, or follow me directly as a curator.
Don’t feel like it? No worries, just click here to read more of my unbiased reviews; no subscription required.
If you have any kind of feedback - positive or negative - please feel free to leave a comment (in case of negative feedback please try to keep it constructive). It would be greatly appreciated!

Evoland 2 is a love letter to classic JRPGs and some of the greatest games of all times. Evoland 2 is Zelda, it's Bomberman, it's Double Dragon, it's R-Type, it's Street Fighter, it's Fire Emblem and so much more! All the games within the game are created with love and depth. They're not just a gimmick, they're not just there for a quick, cheap laugh - they're really good! They're really well-implemented and work with the fantastic story, as well. Because Evoland 2 doesn't just copy and mimic other games - it develops an identity of its own.

A massive improvement on the first Evoland in length and quality. Still a mediocre game which screams fan-service throughout though, lacking much character and substance in its narrative (which seems to be hugely derivative of Chrono Trigger) and many minigames. And while the increased length of the game and things to do were greatly appreciated, the developers missed the sweet spot between quantity and quality, leaving an empty feeling and a yearning for everything to hurry along and wrap up.
Would still recommend if you have some spare time and want to play a game which doesn't take itself too seriously, but if you're looking for something a bit more substantial beyond nods and references to other games, a playable narrative with some light jokes throughout, and gameplay which consists of an amalgation of many different genres of games in the form of minigames, you should probably keep looking.

I didn't play the first Evoland game, but when I had the opportunity to meet up with Shiro Games on gamescom 2015, the first thing they told me was that they took the time, over a year, to analyse what could have been better on Evoland and make sure that their next game would show an improvement. I just finished the game, and I can clearly tell you that they did, all in all, a good job with this new Action-RPG title.
One of the most critical points for Evoland was that it was far too short and it somehow let people empty-handed. My first playthrough, played very casually but still trying to unlock additional content, just clocked at 23 hours, in-game time. Even if some stages or scenes can feel a bit lengthy, there's always something to do in this game: you can progress through the story, you can explore the world and try and find hidden chests or new items or you can spend hours trying to defeat tough opponents in their card game.
You are never bored when you explore the world of Evoland: there is always a hidden reference for you to catch. You will be meeting up with characters from your favorite video games (Elizabeth from Bioshock Infinite, Sakura from Street Fighter, Lara Croft...), you will notice items coming from different universes (mention to the Valley of Wind shop with Captain America's shield on a wall just next to a Buster Sword and Link's Hylian shield). To be honest, at first, I even thought it was too much, all the time, and I had the feeling that this game might even get sued for being just a huge pile of copyrights infringements. But when you decide to play the game for what it is, a sort of homage to past glories like Chrono Trigger or Secret of Mana, you are just having a blast.
Nicolas Decasse, one of the developers, introduced himself as a huge fan of Chrono Trigger, and the scenario of the game clearly shows it: the plot of the game will have you travel through time, using magic stones erected by a now disappeared civilization, while making sure you learn that this power shouldn't be messed around with and that your actions can have dire consequences. As every hero, Kuro, your avatar, will meet new friends on the way, and create special bounds with him. They will help him explore his environment, and he will be able to call on their power to progress through the game, by removing obstacles or creating paths for him. Once their power is fully unlocked, you will be able to use special summons for each of your three partners, like you would be able to in Final Fantasy 6 or 7.
Time travel is represented in a way that a lot of retrogamers are going to enjoy: depending on the era you're in, the more old school the graphics. 8 bits for the past, 16 bits for the present and isometric 3D for the future, you won't be able to forget in which era you're wandering. To explore certain areas, you will have to switch very regularly from one era to another, as some of the puzzles will involve removing obstacles or getting specific items in a different era to progress in the timeframe of your mission. This feature is very nice, but to be honest, from times to times, it just hacks the story telling: backtracking to one of those special stones to change something in another era before going back to the original era you come from and go back where you were is just a pain, at least in the first hours when you have no way of transportation.
However, Evoland 2 always finds a way to renew your interest, by breaking the habit and having the player to explore regularly new video game genres: you will have for instance to defeat a boss in a versus fighting mode, you will try to save an entire civilisation playing a tactical RPG mode, you will have to escape a mountain fighting your way through a bullet hell... You never know what to expect in your first playthrough, and I certainly didn't expect to have to play a mix of Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero in an Action-RPG! My only problem with that is that it reinforces the general impression that the game is just a pot pourri of references and that it lacks a bit of personality: you play a game that talks and shows more of other games than itself.
One of the main criticisms I'll have for this game is that some of the puzzles it offers are just extremely hard to solve, and not because you need a master's degree to solve them. No, I'm just referring to some tricky hitboxes or silly point of views that actually make you think you're stuck when you just have to move a couple of millimetres to see where you need to go or finally manage to destroy something that was blocking your way. I spent one hour looking for an exit in a forest, knowing where the only exit was, and not managing to open it because of the hitbox of the bush I was supposed to destroy was very tiny and made me think that I couldn't go there just yet. But all in all, the puzzles are kind of tricky in the game and you will have to think for a couple of minutes to solve most of them (just have a look at the discussion boards on Steam and check the numbers of "Blocked in XXX" threads).
All in all, I can only recommend this game to all players who are somehow nostalgic of the golden age of Action-RPGs, who have a massive geek culture or who are just looking for an enjoyable game to entertain them for about 20 hours. It has some downsides, for sure, like the fluctuating rhythm in the action or the fact that allies are reduced to a very supportive role (you never get to fight as one of them), but the diversity in the gameplay and the many references, served with a brilliant soundtrack, are making Evoland 2 a very enjoyable game.

If you've played the first Evoland, this is nothing like the original. It's better in every way, which is great because I didn't really like the first one that much.
If you've never played the original game, you don't need to. The first game had little focus on its story and feels more like a tech demo, and while I don't really like the first game (especially the second half), Evoland 2 starts on a solid note and is consistently fantastic all throughout.
I'll avoid saying anything about the story because I think it's one of the main selling points, but what I will say is that the story is full of attention to detail and absolute care and love from the devs. It's one of the finest stories I've had the pleasure of sitting through, and only gets better as it goes on. On top of this the soundtrack is masterful and ties together the themes of the game.
The writing in some parts is a little bit odd however, as some lines/character names are based around a single throwaway joke. Finding a character named "John Snow" and instantly realising what the joke is going to be doesn't make the joke funny when it happens.
The different styles of gameplay come in at just the right times and the pacing never gets too slow or too fast. This is great for the later sections where you need to play three minigames to advance. The first of these, a beat-'em-up section, is personally my least favourite; luckily it only lasts about 10 minutes and after that you never have to play it again. There's also a match-3 section which takes about 20 minutes and, once again, once it's done you never have to play it again.
Finally there's a TRPG section which is longer, but if you rush through it you can get it done in around 30 minutes. In the TRPG section there are bonus areas which extend the time of the section, but they're not necessary; if you want to get the section over as soon as possible, you can.
In standard play the game comes in two parts: a top down ARPG similar to the 2D Legend of Zelda games for the overworld and a sidescrolling platformer similar to the underground sections of Link's Awakening for being underground. Both of these are fun to play, although some of the underground areas drag on for a bit longer than they should.
Aside from some minor issues, the game overall is incredibly well thought out. Its managed to sneak its way onto my list of favourite games and is so much more than I originally anticipated. If you have a pre-emptive opinion based on the first game, throw it away. Evoland 2 will take you on an incredible journey lasting ~20 hours and by the end you might even want to play through it again.

Evoland 2 Review - 30.08.2015
I have a passionate love-hate relationship with this game.
I've been thinking about recommending it forever and here's why I even struggled in the first place: The game's core is great. Some of the different gamemodes are just a blast, I especially digged the tactical rpg part, but some of them (I'm looking at you, Bejeweled) are just -horrible-. I played the entire game on hard, except for this one Bejeweled part that is literally impossible when your enemy just deals 90% of your life in a single swipe.
Apart from that, here's the deal. The game is amazing, yet it manages to annoy you every so often. Some parts are super tedious, occasionally, I just wanted to see if I could re-enter a certain gamemode or stage and then I had to play the entire level again because there's no option to turn back. Same thing with some sort of stealth segment, turns out, if you talk with a certain guard and hit yes (I wanted to see what he replied...) you go straight back into jail. However, even though there a lot of bugs and glitches, it was still super enjoyable. Because the plot is well done, the music is amazing, the gameplay feels (for the most part. Fuck Bejeweled.) good and the controls are tight and responsive. It really sets you back with a bazillion references to older games. I don't even want to spoil a single one, so you can experience it for yourself. So, after this short wall of text, let's review.
+ Amazing Gameplay for the most part.
+ Stunning visuals. (Mostly the Pixel Art though)
+ Amazing humour. Yes, it is THAT good.
+ Stays true to what it does. (Basically, the different gamemodes feel like they should, is what I'm trying to say.)
+ Time Travel Mechanics really add to the plot.
+ Now that I mentioned it, the plot is pretty sweet too, with a satisfying ending. (For me, that is. I did notice some people complain about it being too open ended, which is not really the case.)
- Tedious Mechanics, occasionally.
- Bejeweled
- Bugs/Glitches appear way too often, expect to restart the game or quit to title occasionally. (For example, do not open the treasure radar in the tactical rpg section. Shit goes down.)
- Bejeweled
- Unintentional re-playing of various long and annoying sections, though I guess that was my fault.
- Bejeweled
TL;DR:
Good game, you should give it a shot, fuck Bejeweled.
// I might update this review. //