An extremely attractive experience
WhenTeslagradfirst total onto the market a decade ago , I was straight off blown aside by what it had to offer . Rather than floaty platforming where I needed to squish as many enemies as potential by landing on their read/write head , I happen myself exploring a sentiment - provoking puzzler that kept me on the edge of my hind end . 10 years later , Teslagrad 2has in conclusion made its way to the market , bringing an even more interesting glide path to the now familiar musical style , with a few small drawback that keep it from reaching its full electric potential .
You controlLuminaon a pursuance to reunify with her phratry after break apart on a newfangled and nameless ground , and it ’s up to you to help her make her way back home . On this ride , gorgeous vistas and unbelievable healthy intent dotted the lands I research and keep me concerned until the very end . Find out whyTeslagrad 2needs to be on your radar , even if you ’re not a lover of the genre below .
A Room with a View
Booting into the creation ofTeslagrad 2for the first time after its surprise drop , I was straight off impressed . While 2D title have continued to maturate and come along in their aesthetic elan and unity , it ’s hard to come up something that almost instantly takes your intimation away due to the overall artistic production style choices , but lo and behold , here I was . After an quick sense of hustle and apprehensiveness , I was catapulted into the macrocosm below the Earth’s surface , full of magnetic force that I slowly learned how to manipulate .
The glowing aura emanate off of these tower quickly taught me what their uses were , and I found myself knead my manner back toward the surface . At the surface story , Teslagrad 2is babe ’s firstMetroid - vania , pass you the prospect to explore while also get a clear end in creative thinker , give to you by a mysterious unknown . My first task was to get out of this underground world and get back onto the surface once again , and after clinging to walls and using the force of repulsion to shoot from one side of the map to the other , I was on my means .
“ In movement , it looks and feels like a moving picture Bible , and the first time I hit the proper aerofoil , my jaw dropped flop onto the screen of my Steam Deck . “
Screenshot by Prima Games
However , nothing could have prepared me for the prompt shock of the surface . Teslagrad 2has a set goal in mind , and photos do not do it the proper Justice Department . In move , it looks and feels like a moving picture Holy Writ , and the first fourth dimension I hit the proper surface , my jaw drop flop onto the screen of my Steam Deck . Every part of the universe is detailed and gorgeous and helped keep me on the correct track . I wanted to see everything the game had to offer , so I indulged in some geographic expedition to see what awaited me .
fictional character design is another warm point , with exaggerated proportions and some of the most telling - looking bosses I ’ve seen in quite some time . Taking a intimation from Nordic mythology , you ’ll find yourself facing off against Vikings , beasts from beyond this earth , and so much more . It ’s a game that will stay with you for quite some time , and have you mean about not only its designing but its surroundings for years to descend .
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Screenshot by Prima Games
Controls are Tricky, but Fair (Mostly)
TheTeslagradseries is known for its brain - bending puzzles , andTeslagrad 2continues this trend in spades . However , there are a few teaser that seem to be needlessly rarify due to the passably finicky controller rather than a lack of skill or encephalon power . While working through the world , I found plenteousness of power - ups that would assist littleLumina , the main protagonist , in her goal to be reunited with her family once again . Plenty of these puzzler are based purely on physics , and there were sight of clip that felt unfair , rather than rewarding . Thankfully , the checkpoint system is rather exonerative .
For example , after find out a exponent - up that set aside me to slide on the ground faster than the speed of sound , I constitute myself at a crossway with a particular mystifier . I needed to slide , teleport , swoop , teleport , and Edwin Herbert Land on a finical platform , or I would meet a rather inauspicious end . look simple enough , but due to the finicky nature of the control and physics at times , I was more discomfited than I could have imagined after failing time and time again . finally , I got it , but it took far longer than I would have expected and did n’t feel like a lack of skill . Expect a few moments of thwarting in an experience that other time controls fantastically .
While at its core , it ’s more or less aMetroid - vania Lite , you ’ll find that there are still plenty of dangerous moments . At the beginning of your adventure , you ’ll find that you are relatively defenseless , realise every encounter a life - or - dying post . One hit from the enemy and you ’re toast , but you have a few tycoon that can serve you survive . UsingBlink , essentially an electrical teleportation magic , I found that I was able to support myself and elude tone-beginning against the growing threats around me . As I continued my dangerous undertaking , plenty of fresh item , and finally weapons , would become useable to me to make me into the Teslamancer I knew I could be .
Screenshot by Prima Games
Skills are spread throughout the function , and are almost unsufferable to miss , making this a peachy introduction to the musical genre for those that feel burn and affright to hear something more intimidating , such asHollow Knightor evenMetroiditself . It ’s a corking entry point , alongside theremasted version of Teslagradthat is usable alongside it .
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Sound Design is On Point
I have to take a moment to single out the sound design , which is in reality unbelievable . The haunting chants feature in the soundtrack , alongside the industrial bombination of this Nordic - Steampunk populace ring still within my mind . It ’s hard to reap an immediate equivalence to anything else on the market , as it is incredibly unique throughout , and I could easily get myself listening to this soundtrack on a regular basis alfresco of replay this risky venture .
It conform to the peak perfectly and delivers surpassing service to the core gameplay , flesh out the world around me as I would interact with new pieces of machinery and find new parts of the world . incessantly vary and evolving , the wholesale score is easily one of the highlights of this game and can supply an emotional backdrop to the , admittedly , gloomy - profile story . You feel more of how the story is progressing through the medicine , rather than the storytelling .
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Verdict
Teslagrad 2takes what made the first game a unparalleled puzzle platformer and expands on almost every front of it . While there is a bit of elbow room for improvement in the overall ascendancy dodging and physics engine , it stands out in a awash genre . Teslagradfound celebrity in itself on the indie scenery when it first come out , andTeslagrad 2will hopefully find the same floor of winner . A memorable platformer that I feel bless to have experience , and will happily recommend it to anyone to revel .
Score: 8.5 – GOOD
A transcript of this game was provided by the publisher for inspection . Reviewed on PC / Steam Deck .
Screenshot by Prima Games
