Bouncy Bob 2 is a vast improvement over its predecessor, which unfortunately isn't saying much. The movement and combat of the game are muchBouncy Bob 2 is a vast improvement over its predecessor, which unfortunately isn't saying much. The movement and combat of the game are much more refined by ditching the "one button" control scheme of the original game; being able to build up momentum for a jump and utilize a sword are both welcome changes. Another improvement is that there are more modes than just "single player" and "multi player". The different modes will have you and your friends teaming up to take on waves of enemies (Swarm and Tower modes), or duking it out with each other (Arena, Volleyball, and Blender (?) modes). There's a consistent feeling of polish in the game (with the exception of its ugly menus and loading screens) that is a definite improvement over the lazy, thrown-together feel of the original.
The game is not without its drawbacks, however. Ultimate Games obviously isn't trying to implement "one button" controls anymore, but they persist in making basic movement in Bouncy Bob 2 a chore to figure out. With time, you can figure out its nuances, but this chips the "couch multiplayer" armor Ultimate is going for, making it harder for newcomers to just sit down and play. On top of that, the gameplay itself simply isn't enjoyable enough to be the first thing I boot up for a multiplayer session. The aesthetic of Bouncy Bob is compelling, but it doesn't give me a good enough reason to choose it over Smash Ultimate when playing with others.
To conclude, Bouncy Bob 2 is a solid multiplayer game, but it still ultimately fails to deliver incentive to play the game for more than 10 minutes at a time. Most people you play with will probably be either enticed by its unique gameplay, or discombobulated by its unnecessarily difficult control scheme. Ultimate has made an intriguing game, but like its predecesor, it still feels like a "proof of concept" instead of a full release. That said, $5 is the perfect price for this game, and it's definitely worth picking up if you're in the mood for a "unique" experience.… Expand
