Guacamelee! 2

About Guacamelee! 2

Drinkbox Studios returned in August 2018 with Guacamelee! 2 to finish what they started seven years prior. Juan Aguacate trades his first victory over Carlos Calaca for a new crisis threatening the Mexiverse itself. This action title blends platforming with hack and slash combat across PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game throws players into a Metroidvania world where you punch through enemies and solve environmental puzzles to restore order. It is a direct sequel that keeps the vibrant Mexican folklore aesthetic while expanding the scope to include time travel mechanics and space-fighting elements.

Gameplay

You control Juan as he swings his bat, kicks foes, and uses special luchador abilities like transforming into different animals. Each session involves sprinting through colorful levels, dodging projectiles, and beating groups of enemies in tight quarters. The combat feels weighty because every punch connects with satisfying feedback. You can switch between a shoulder bash that breaks shields and a ground pound to stun crowds. Exploration drives the loop since you must unlock new areas by finding specific keys or abilities. Multiplayer co-op lets a friend join your run, splitting the screen as you clear stages together. Boss fights require pattern recognition and quick reflexes rather than just button mashing.

What Players Think

Critics loved this entry, with Metacritic giving it an 85 and OpenCritic sitting at 86 for its Mighty edition. Eighty-seven point seventy-two percent of reviewers on OpenCritic recommend the title. TheSixthAxis called it one of the most fun games they played all year, while Destructoid noted players never felt bored during a playthrough. IGDB users rated it an average of 82.4 based on 101 submissions. PlayPile data shows the community enjoys diving deep into the content, with an average completion rate that suggests many players hunt for every collectible. The game features 49 total achievements, but only 23.4% unlock them on average. The rarest trophy is the Snake Temple Throwdown in The Proving Grounds, unlocked by just 3.10% of the player base.

PlayPile's Take

This title is worth buying if you want a polished action platformer that respects your time. You can grab it on Steam for as low as $4.99 during sales. The achievement system encourages thoroughness since the hardest tasks demand real skill. Drinkbox Studios made something that feels complete rather than rushed. Do not skip this if you like fast combat and solid level design. The multiplayer mode adds enough replay value to justify a second playthrough with friends.

Storyline

Seven years after defeating Carlos Calaca, Juan Aguacate is forced to don his luchador mask again to face a new threat - this time to the very fabric of space and time.