Republique: Episode 2 - Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis improves on République’s initial episode in a number of ways, not the least of which being that it raises the emotional stakes of the story.

This successful second chapter is a confirmation of the great job Camouflaj is doing on its brand, while proactively listening to the community.

A great second episode, able of improving Exordium in all its aspects. If Camouflaj will be able to create engaging puzzles then the future of Republique will be brighter.

If the first episode was a proof of concept and preamble, the second highlights the team at Camoflaj's approach and the power of the dystopic world they've built.

It has all the scope and style of a triple-A release but combined with the craftsmanship and pride that can only be found in the independent market. [Issue#149, p.126]

A clear argument that iOS can support deep, complex games. Stealthing your way out a dystopia has never been so much fun. [Issue#242]

If you played and enjoyed the first episode, then Ep.2 won’t let you down.

A new step forward for one of the best franchises ever developed for iOS devices. A must have in spite of some minor issues.

Part one offered a promising foundation, but lacked a reason to care. This episode puts faces to everything that’s happening and generally moves at a much quicker pace. We can’t wait to see where Hope’s quest for freedom takes her next.

Republique Episode 2: Metamorphosis builds on the first episode's foundation for a stronger experience in every respect, with a story build up that is poised to make the wait for episode three feel even longer.

A pleasant anomaly: a stealth game that breaks out of rigid patterns and an episodic game that visibly evolves and improves from one chapter to the next. The game isn't quite everything it could be just yet - the occasional puzzles, although slightly more involved, still feel like the weak link in the chain - but with more episodes to come, there's a strong sense that by the end, it's going to be something very special indeed.

We waited four months for this second episode, but the result is a compelling and excellently crafted adventure, which is also a better game than the first chapter. Sadly, you will see the credits roll after just an hour or so.

Like The Walking Dead, Republique is now freed of needing to instruct the player of their goals and how to achieve them. It is, instead, refocusing its efforts, in wonderfully surprising ways.

Not all of Metamorphosis' disparity necessarily works in Republique's favor, but it's at least emblematic of Camouflaj's focus on simultaneously managing progress and refinement.

The stealth gameplay has been improved in certain spots, but backtracking and obvious puzzles keep Episode 2 from greatness. A step ahead, but no metamorphosis.

The studio is finding a way to improve upon the core tenets of the game while maintaining an episodic format, which many other developers don't tend to do.

Republique’s story continues to go to grim, great places in “Metamorphosis,” and the new mechanics make the tedium of backtracking bearable.

Despite my thoughts on Episode 2, I’m eager to see if the next installment of République changes things up in the environment and opens up more of the overarching story. This series still has plenty of exciting potential, and I think Camouflaj and Logan Games have what it takes to nail it in the end.