Guacamelee 2

The game offers a lot in both its combat (lots of attacks to use, with enemy weaknesses tied to specific abilities) and its platforming (multiple mechanics all offering a combination of different challenges).

I completed the game solo, so there were some moments in the combat encounters where I was challenged to think about my approach as opposed to button mashing. What was unexpectedly challenging for me were the platforming puzzles - given the vast amount of abilities offered to the player, the game provides a lot of ways to push those abilities to the limit.

This game is mostly linear in the sense that backtracking and revisiting of previous areas doesn't happen as aggressively as other Metroidvania titles. The game's premise is fun and quirky, but personally I wasn't expecting much depth in terms of storytelling as the dialogue and cutscenes lean a lot on video game references and light humour. Basically, the game isn't taking itself too seriously on that front.

Overall - a solid game. It scratched the itch I had to play a 2D beat-em-up with 'Smash Bros.'-like mechanics, but offered a lot more in the form of its platforming puzzles.

This is a very good Metroidvania. It is very similar to the previous title, keeping the "mexican" spirit of that game, but also adding some interesting new powers. The key challenges (the lava one specially) was not worth the time for me, considering that when you lose you need to restart from the beginning, so I skipped it (it's more like a side quest tough).

It's a decent game but I prefer the simplicity, plot and structure of the first game. This one felt too long and exhausting in the end. Still fun though and worth a playthrough.

I've seen a lot of reviews saying that this game is a little bit better than, but almost equal in quality to the original. I'm here to tell you that this is FAR from the case.
The original game established the formula, which was pretty fun. A solid beat-em-up, combined with Metroidvania-style unlocks in a 2D platformer. The reason this is such a good combination, is that finding a new power-up has a lot of implications. Not only can you access more areas of the map, but another layer of complexity is added to both the combat and the platforming (for example, the uppercut acts as a quasi-double jump, breaks red enemy shields, and launches enemies into the air). The Mexican aesthetic and goofy tone tie it all up in a nice little ribbon.
I can see why the two games are likened in quality-- the sequel uses pretty much the same formula. However, every single little refresh here adds A LOT to the game. This game blew my moderate expectations out of the water. I can't fully explain why this game feels 100x better than its predecessor, but it definitely does. It might boil down mostly to the DRASTICALLY improved level design. Boss fights especially (I can only speak for Hard mode since I used the Konami code), are actually FUN this time around. There is increased enemy and move variety. Chaining together your entire repertoire of moves to solve the combat arenas and perfectly-crafted precision platforming puzzles feels ridiculously satisfying. Secrets are well-hidden, but not obtuse (I only had to look up one chest to reach 100%). The challenging bits will make you feel determined rather than annoyed. Even the writing and the music are much stronger this time around.
If you kinda liked the first one, but not enough to pick this one up, I urge you to give Guac 2 a try anyway. If you've never played the first one, I would argue that there's no need to-- the sequel catches you up Telenovela-style on the events of the first. If you like tight platforming challenges, and enjoy the feeling of getting progressively more and more badass, then you'll probably find a lot to love here.
9.5/10

I can't say enough how enjoyable this game is.
There are many memes and references. Fighting is fun, and platforming is challenging, but not so hard that it makes you stop.
The story is simple yet solid.

This is the second time I play through the game, had to buy it again just because the game is that good. As a metroidvania, as a beat 'em up, and as a platformer this game does everything right,
Also as a mexican myself, I can pretty much say that everything about this game, despite being overly stereotypical, does a lot of mexican references right, to the point that makes me proud being a mexican and enjoying through the many references and jokes this game constantly pulls.
My only gripe is just how short it takes to beat, and the fact that Hard mode is not available at the start (at least not unless you are aware of the cheat code, which I didn't until I was midway through the game).

Guacamelee 2 is a fun and fast-paced Metroidvania. You unlock several abilities through the course of the game that are used during combat and unlock paths to new locations. It has an interesting mechanic where you will find coloured blocks that will block your path and you will have to use the relevant ability to break it, this helps you to read the map and reduce backtracking, ensuring you will only go back to places that you really need to go.
The combat is fast-paced and is not hard at all, the toughest challenges are - actually - the Platformer aspct of the game, and only if you are planning to do the true end and/or 100% completion. One of the issues with the combat in my option is the hit-box, for some reason I feel it is so weird and it makes the combat not as responsive as I whiched for.
As for its aesthetic, I found it quite refreshing and funny. It has lots of homages to different famous games and lots of "memes", but I really loved was the Mexican background - though I would say it relies on stereotypes - I find funny and I loved the occasional Spanish word that appear here and there during the conversation.
You can play this game coach co-op up to 4 players, I never did that but I can only imagine it would be mayhem - which could be quite cool - similarity to Magicka.
It goes without it is an upgrade over Guacamelee 1, improving on every aspect of the game.