Blaster Master Zero II

 Switch
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 39
  3. Negative: 3 out of 39
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  1. LapinMignon
    Mar 27, 2019
    4
    Blaster Master Zero II is, unfortunately, not a game I can recommend.

    The first level, Planet Florence, and the level that follows presents all of the game's core concepts -- Its premise, its combat, its traversal mechanics, level select system and exploration elements. The game opened up with all its ideas firmly in place, then left me to ponder in which exciting directions it would go    Blaster Master Zero II is, unfortunately, not a game I can recommend.

    The first level, Planet Florence, and the level that follows presents all of the game's core concepts -- Its premise, its combat, its traversal mechanics, level select system and exploration elements. The game opened up with all its ideas firmly in place, then left me to ponder in which exciting directions it would go from there.

    The problem is that I was left pondering this for the rest of the game, all the way past the final encounter. All of the core ideas are barely touched upon, and all appeals the game could count on remain half-measured.

    Its premise? At first it piqued my interest, and drove me forwards with its sense of urgency. However, the game couldn't seem to decide if it wanted to portray the situation as urgent or if it wanted you to take your time. Interactions with characters are unfulfilling. They for the most part just feel like side-characters in some episodic Shonen anime; Jason says hi to them, a fight happens, and then Jason goes to do something for them 'cause he's such a nice guy. And... nothing more to it, really. I wanted to interact more with these characters, really get to know their story; but there's just nothing to it.

    Its combat? You get a few new weapons. Most of Sophia's are impractical for most of the fighting you'll be doing; one would probably just stick to the default weapon. To the game's credit, Jason's part of the combat is honestly rather fun, with his arsenal offering so many different ways to handle each situation. He gets just enough options to keep his side of the combat engaging; too bad everything that isn't combat just isn't fun for Jason. The bosses are easily the highlight of the game, with them asking to think smartly about how to fight them and really getting to know your options.

    Its traversal mechanics? You get only one power-up that makes it a slight bit easier... and not by that much. Nothing you get in this game re-contextualizes how you go through levels; power-ups act as clearly-told keys to some obstacles, and that's about it. The levels themselves don't do much to reward players for understanding their layouts. No clever shortcuts here. It makes backtracking through these levels very dull later on when the player is tasked with doing so. This also ties into its exploration.

    World map? It's kinda neat. Some of the games' most striking moments happen on the world map. I didn't really expect it to go any further than that, even though there is some room for more; but regardless, that's by far the lesser concern here.

    Passing mention to the extra contents of this game; requiring about half an hour of fetch quest busywork to be rewarded with... honestly the most obnoxious segment I've played in any modern game.

    The overall result is a game that, to me, felt like it was going to get good any minute now; but it does this far too late to justify the mind-boggling amount of waiting for it to happen, on all of its appeal fronts. In that perspective, I simply cannot recommend this.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

17
#17 Best Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 27, 2020
    90
    All in all, Zero 2 is a well-crafted sequel that actually feels like the sequel it's meant to be. [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 18]
  2. FNintendo
    Jun 23, 2019
    70
    Blaster Master Zero 2 delivers a fun and challenging action game which nearly every player can enjoy. With its well designed levels and gameplay mechanics lying on a quality audiovisual environment, Blaster Master Zero 2 is a welcome arrival to the Nintendo Switch catalogue.
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  3. Cubed3
    May 30, 2019
    80
    Blaster Master Zero 2 is the much improved sequel the original deserved. Everything here is superior to to it, to the point where it renders it redundant. The story has more going on with actual NES-style cut-scenes with beautifully drawn pixel art. There is a cast of friendly weird aliens that have amusing banter with their own side-kicks, and drive a respective vehicle too. There is even an alternate ending for completionists to earn. Some may lament that this is more level-based than the sprawling interconnected original, yet by focusing on the strength of mechanics and flow of the action, Inti Creates crafted a much more exciting title. As far as 2D action games on the Switch go, Blaster Master Zero 2 is up there as one of the better options.
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