World of Goo 2 Switch Review
Summary: This charming and compelling game will literally glue you to the console. Strongly recommended.
4
Very GOOd
World of Goo was released in 2008. I played it then, and I don’t know anyone who disliked it. Upon hearing about the sequel, I rubbed my hands together. Then a question popped up in my mind: was the original really that GOOd, or is it just a thick goo of nostalgia that distorted my memory?
After 16 years, the sequel says hello. Developed by 2D Boy and Tomorrow Corporation, World of Goo 2 follows the same simple formula as the original: you solve puzzles by building bridges, towers and other structures out of sticky balls. These balls differ in appearance and properties, but each type is equally adorable.
A great effort needs to be made to prevent building collapse: the laws of physics constantly trouble structures, and the whole system of tilting, breaking and falling remains astoundingly brilliant in the title. Some additional obstacles, such as a difficult terrain, also throw a spanner into the works. To alleviate the player’s frustration, the compassionate devs again let skylights into the game: catching a white bug, you undo your last move.
There are numerous types of puzzles in World of Goo 2 – and their cleverness is stunning. The sequel introduces interactions with liquid. A couple of new balls get in on the action; some absorb fluid, and some throw it away. Gameplay provides tons of joy: I can assure you with certainty that once you begin playing the title, you won’t be able to stop. I acutely suffered from „just one more level syndrome” till the very end; and when I saw the end credits, I wanted more.
Is the game long? Its completion takes about six hours. The scenario is divided into five chapters, with a total of over 60 levels. By comparison, the first instalment comprises 48 levels. Does it mean the sequel’s longer? I don’t know; what I do know for sure is that there’s a huge potential for replayability in the title.
I played World of Goo 2 on Switch. This version offers three control modes: the touch screen, gamepad and joy-con. You choose the set-up every time you launch the game. I used the touch screen, for it seemed the most precise to me; however, in spite of being able to zoom in, I sometimes found myself rearranging the wrong ball, which ended badly.
But the touch screen is still better than a clunky gamepad. And, as for the third control method, the joy-con provides an original experience thanks to an IR sensor, but the game doesn’t recognise the device at times. Oh, hard luck! Conclusion? The mouse is a great invention.
World of Goo 2 runs smooth on Switch. The visuals and audio of the original haven’t aged till today and the devs are perfectly aware of it. They thus applied the same style to the sequel and by no means was that a bad decision. As for other technical aspects, I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that the title has an unbalanced difficulty level. For example, some missions in the first and second chapter seem more challenging than ones in subsequent chapters.
Final thoughts
World of Goo 2 is what nobody expected, but everyone needed. And no, it’s not (just) a matter of nostalgia: gameplay proves extremely satisfying, puzzles are diverse and well thought out; visuals please the eye. On the other hand, the Switch version has slight control issues; also, the title’s difficulty seems unbalanced. This, however, doesn’t change the fact that the sequel does deserve much love. And now we want the third part. Sooner rather than later.
About the Author
Dagmara Sorceress from The Witcher's homeland and Yennefer's classmate (got better grades than Janka). Addicted to the mechanical keyboard clack; always looking for an opportunity to make this lovely sound.
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