Magicka 2

If it’s your first outing, it’s a unique gameplay experience, but the mechanics and playstyle are not universally enchanting.

Harsh difficulty halts experimentation, but custom wizardry and co-op larks cast a strong enough spell. [Aug 2015, p.74]

Magicka 2 is essentially how the original game should have been. While Pieces Interactive's work is commendable, there isn't any truly new or innovative content compared to the original Magicka. Players who have played the first game, should wait for the inevitable DLC content, if they are looking for something new."

A great experience and one that stays true to the Magicka franchise. Not a lot has happened since last time though, and some minor issues keep the game from reaching the same levels as the original.

It can get tiring in long sessions and doesn’t offer enough content to become your new obsession, but works great in co-op and has one of the most interesting combat systems in the genre. [08/2015, p.54]

Only intermittently better than its predecessor, if still every bit as frenetic. [Aug 2015, p.120]

It arrived more stable, looks better, still contains the amusing humour and bundles of references, and its spell system remains hectic and unique, but slight changes in the game design mean that it feels less exciting and safe than the fresh-faced original, and that’s a little disappointing when so much could have been done to take it forward.

Are you looking for a game with a wild sense of humor? A game with funny multiplayer? A game with a really high number of stupid deaths? Magicka 2 is exactly what are you looking for: same shape of its predecessor with new graphic, new content and of course, endless fun.

If you’re a social type, this is a must-play. But loners might want to give this one a pass, at least until the developers scale the difficulty better for single mages.

Magicka 2 is Magicka refined - the same wizard-killing simulator co-op fans love with the fixes and improvements players craved. While it doesn't break new ground or surpass the original, it's a blast to play with friends.

Magicka 2 lacks any fresh ideas, but the chaotic spellcasting, co-op and peculiar humor are still fun.

Magicka 2 can be a lot of fun if played with friends, but four years have passed since the first chapter, and this is basically the same game, with all its strengths and weaknesses unchanged.

It's hard to understand why the main problems of the part one haven't been solved. It's basically Magicka 1.5 with some improved graphics.

Game’s derivativeness doesn’t diminish despite developer’s diligence: the humor is noticeably stale, and game situations lack variety. There’s just no progress in the series, which in itself is a step backwards. [Sept 2015, p.83]

it’s a competent action game that has made a beautiful transition from its original PC roots and one that will no doubt garner a new console-based coven.

At the moment it’s functional, sometimes fun, but only something that should really be considered if you’ve got three chums who are guaranteed to play with you. Even then, you might be better off with the original Magicka and its slew of DLC or Wizard Wars, which is free-to-play.

Magicka 2 is very similar to the first Magicka, but the last game worked so well that the lack of innovation isn't all that bothersome. It's still a fun, chaotic experience that can keep you entertained for eight hours. What sours the overall experience is the sometimes awful script and annoying pop cultural references that do more to provoke groans of annoyance rather than laughter.

Magicka 2 is fun in the right circumstances - i.e. when you've a friend or three in tow - but even then it's a case of an all-too-familiar experience to the first game. That's not in itself a bad thing, as the Magicka formula is a solid one, but it is disappointing - there's hardly any progress from the first game. For a sequel that took four years to hit, that's just not good enough.

It seems that there are very few reasons to come back to Magicka 2 after having beaten the short campaign. Well, there is a bunch of customizable challenges that use the same 9 maps… and that’s it. Though, I’m sure the publisher already has a multi-year DLC plan written down.

The lack of real instruction and clunky controls further wear down the initial charm of this spell-clinging comic adventure.

Magicka 2 is just a retread.

The game almost exactly the same as the four-years-old first part with all its advantages and disadvantages. The entertaining cooperative mode is again the best part of the game.