Anomaly 2

If Anomaly Warzone Earth was any indication that tower offense games were good, Anomaly 2 confirms that they’re amazing.

Perhaps the most interesting innovation of all is a multiplayer mode that allows one player to play as normal while an opponent takes on the more traditional role of tower defense, setting up alien robot turrets to stop the humans in their tracks.

Anomaly 2 is the perfect sequel for a great game, an exciting proposal in the tower defense genre.

While there are a few frustrations that keep Anomaly 2 from being truly fantastic, the game’s additions to it’s unique tower offense gameplay makes this a worthwhile sequel.

Anomaly 2 is a lot like the original instalment. Still, it's a great game with polished gameplay. There's no reason to think twice before buying it. [Issue#231]

In the same way I've appraised Anomaly: Warzone Earth with score of eight for its unique approach to a tower defense style, I must highlight Anomaly 2 for taking the idea to perfection. Even with its relatively short gameplay, authors' thoroughness and diligence mirror in their impressive game.

Anomaly 2 is the perfect sequel of Anomaly: Warzone Earth, and the multiplayer, in addition, grant the possibility to challenge human players for the first time.

Anomaly 2 is an enjoyable and challenging ride through a post-apocalyptic Earth, that will test both your reflexes and your tactical skills.

With issues of a lackluster narrative and trial and error single-player levels, the game doesn't quite achieve the status of a perfect sequel. Yet, Anomaly 2 follows the tradition of the original by setting a new standard for games in the tower offense and defense genres.

Even though the single player modes won't keep us playing for too long, if you've got some friends to play with Anomaly 2 is a choice you should definitely consider.

Like the first episode, Anomaly 2 changes the point of view of tower defense genre, with cleverness and a wonderful game design. Blasting away tons of alien forces it's always fun: doing it using the brain, well, it's a different story.

Multiplayer shines brightly alongside a short but dynamic campaign in the tower offense sequel Anomaly 2.

Anomaly 2 is the perfect sequel for a great game, since it brings a series of new features, units, enemies and modes. Those who enjoyed the first episode will not be disappointed, definitely.

In theory Anomaly 2 is a sequel better in every way, but after a closer look you can see some flaws. The game is prettier and more spectacular that its predecessor, has a lot of interesting ideas and guarantees the same amount of fun. What it lacks, is more content - the campaign is too short, and the multiplayer mode has too few maps and variations. This is a well made evolution, and not a revolution.

The addition of its innovative competitive asymmetrical multiplayer is the big draw here – as long as everyone takes the time to learn the complex rules, that is.

Anomaly: Warzone Earth was a well-designed and entertaining alternative to typical tower defence games, and Anomaly 2 is its bigger, badder sibling. Levels are better designed and more varied, you have more unique units and abilities at your disposal, towers are generally even bigger bastards than they were before, and the dev team’s experience means that the basic mechanics are generally more polished.

Despite limitations imposed by the genre, and the fact that there are only 5 units and 4 powers, Anomaly 2 gives you quite a broad spectrum of possibilities. [CD-Action 07/2013, p.56]

If there was ever any question about “tower offense” being a viable sub-genre of tower defense, let Anomaly 2 stand as a definitive game to prove its worth.

While Anomaly 2 will be easy enough for people who have played the original, it can be a challenge to pick-up and play for newbies - especially once you advance onto the later levels where things heat up.

Anomaly 2 is an immediate and exciting strategy game unlike any other, but over time the repetition and lack of depth leaves something to be desired.

A great improvement over the original Anomaly, but the game still lacks scale. More free expansions, please! Or, better yet, give us a mission editor!

An interesting change of pace for fans - or, on the flipside, it could be just the thing to get you interested. [Aug 2013, p.91]

Multiplayer has within it the seeds for fine gameplay, but with some iffy design decisions, lacking a serious tutorial, no AI to play with, and few other people to play against, it turns what should have been the game’s best piece into its greatest disappointment.

The improved visuals (useful when attempting to toggle between distinctly marked unit types), lush new locations (Rio's rendition of the Statue of the Redeemer, for instance), well-implemented buffing units (there's one to make your convoy invisible and another to boost your commander's powers), and the depth of strategy to be found in a single, diverse mission, all demonstrate that this anomaly is no mistake.

Anomaly 2 is a fresh coat of paint on the tower defense genre without being all too new or disruptive at the same time. It's a well done and refined version of what came before, adding a multiplayer mode. If part one was to your liking, you're not doing anything wrong with this.