Shelter 2

The new open world structure works well, and the less linear experience really shines. A great simulation, different than any other you've tried before.

For those who like to get something different out of their games, Shelter 2 offers a fresh take that successfully builds on the formula of the earlier title without tangling it up in new or difficult features.

A game both lovely and flawed. Just as its predecessor, Shelter 2 is a moving, beautiful experience. It's also a bit too simple and short. The open world is a wonderful addition, but why is there so little to do in there? [Apr 2015]

It's no longer surprising, but it's a step forward improving the original concept, making it open world and widening the possibilities.

Shelter 2 is pretty much a happening like the first game, but this time around, it is a mature work of art that has a clear idea at its core.

Shelter 2 is an unique game about the uncertainty of life and the challenges of motherhood. Despite the few contents and a too simplistic gameplay, you will live a fantastic and emotionally involving experience.

With a different type of animal as the key role, Shelter 2 is radically different from its predecessor. This makes the game unique, but it does not leave the same deep impression as the first Shelter. That being said, this interactive nature documentary is special on its own.

Technically flawed but with a bulletproof message delivered through gameplay. [May 2015, p.80]

Although I appreciate the game for its many merits, I wouldn’t feel comfortable recommending it until the price comes down a bit, but as it does, the likelihood of you regretting the purchase goes down with it.

Fun and beautiful, but a plain game that fails to overcome the previous game's success.

The original Shelter had me instantly replaying it, just to see if I could keep my babies alive. This time though, despite the bigger levels and excellently-crafted simple gameplay, I put the game down. It’s worth experiencing, but on this evidence the Lynx will flourish in wolf-free Britain.

A game that woefully undercooks its concept, a partial success in that nothing that the game does is particularly bad, but for a concept that has always felt like a no-brainer, “why didn't somebody think of that before” situation, the fact that it doesn't do some fairly obviously things to make the game earn its price tag is disheartening.

Shelter 2 is still a unique and unconventional game, but larger world and no changes in gameplay introduce too much monotony to the experience.

Shelter 2 is a boring open empty world game with nothing to do.

The problems of the original Shelter remain albeit in a bigger and more complex world. [Issue#160, p.108]

The most annoying flaws of the original game are back: faulty collision detection, invisible walls, insane camera, short gameplay time and a predictable, cheesy ending. [05/2015, p.76]

The lack of threat and its big yet pointless open world robs the game of challenge, likely leaving you broadly unsatisfied after just a handful of hours.

In some ways, Shelter 2 improves on its predecessor, but its brevity and lack of depth make it much weaker than the first overall.

Shelter 2 fails to deliver what its concept promises, but it remains an enjoyable adventure that doesn’t overstay its welcome.

If you like the moodiness, art, and adorable lynx babies, Shelter 2 might be worth a purchase if it’s on sale, but don’t expect much.

The lynx family survival simulator, which went wrong. It builds on the foundations of the first game, that are not working in the open world and beyond admiring the beautiful landscape it offers practically nothing. Don´t expect entertaining survival from Shelter 2.

It’s just a shame that the gameplay is so generic.

Shelter 2 isn't all bad, though, as the unusual watercolor-style visuals help to create a uniquely attractive view of nature.

The game’s utter lack of compelling mechanics and scenarios, combined with a dreadfully dull world, make it a laughable proposition at fifteen dollars, and the most disappointing sequel I may have ever played.