I wanted to like Windjammers 2, I was looking forward to it immensely thanks to fond memories of the first game and the great port on Switch. I was never the best player when it came to Windjammers, but I was decent enough to pick up the gameplay and figured the sequel would be even better. What I found is that a more refined experience can sometimes be too refined even to the point of excluding players.
Before I go any further, Windjammers 2 is not a bad game by any means, so do not take this as me bashing the game for not being like the first game. Rather the issue is that Windjammers 2 is designed with a very specific audience in mind, and that is hardcore players of the original game. Devoted fans of Windjammers will love what was done here and relish all the improvements and changes, as well as the new characters.
The issue for me is that the game feels less welcoming to new players and players who were just okay at the first game. Like I said above, I was never the best player of Windjammers but managed to pick it up and play in the arcade and on the Switch. Windjammers 2 though, has proven to be a difficult game for me to get into, as if there is just something that holds me back.
The mechanics seem solid, but I struggled with the game compared to the first game and the single-player modes gave me a hard time no matter what the setting was. I fared better online against human opponents, many of whom were just learning the game as well, so that was a plus. The online works fine in Windjammers 2 and should not disappoint any veterans of Windjammers looking to take their skills against the best players in the world, whether against the masters in France, or local experts.
Windjammers 2 makes a number of tweaks, mechanic changes and adjustments to the formula of the first game as well as new moves and abilities, and to its credit, there is a mode to explain everything. The issue is that it does not really give the chance to learn the game rather than just being told how things work. This is not to say that newcomers will be unable to grasp the game by any means, but rather that there is a steep learning curve for less-skilled players.
The single-player mode has been greatly expanded as well, with a new world map system and choosing of opponents as well, which is a welcome addition, and it does make the gameplay easier to get into in some ways. The new characters were designed to accommodate the competitive scene and fit the new mechanics perfectly while returning favourites have received some adjustments. Visually the game is stunning with a great art style, though I do prefer the arcade sprites of the original, and the music is absolutely outstanding here.
Overall, Windjammers 2 feels like a love letter to the competitive community of Windjammers and a great gift that will keep the fans going for a long time. To newcomers and less skilled players, however, sticking with the first game might be a better suggestion.
Disclaimer: A review key was provided
Reviewed on Nintendo Switch.
Also available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation
Images were taken from Nintendo.com