Toree 2

TWO-REE
Much like the original game, Toree 2 is a throwback to 32-bit 3D platformers – more along the lines of Croc: Legend of the Gobbos and Ninpen Manmaru than something like Super Mario 64. Stages are short and linear, with your objective being to make it to the goal at the end of the stage. There’s little in the way of exploration here: just pure platforming. 

As before, you are greeted with the glitchy grim-reaper from the first game, who also serves as the main antagonist for the sequel. Pursuing him through the eight stages (which can be tackled in any order) will unlock the final showdown – this time ending in a fitting final encounter, rather than just ending out of nowhere like the first game.

If all of this sounds quite familiar, that’s because it’s essentially the same setup as the original game. There are four levels of that increase in difficulty, and another four that act as harder variants of the initial four stages. All are accessible from the get go, but you should probably still play them in the intended order. Everything looks and controls much like the original too, except this time we have the ability to invert controls for both the X and/or Y axis, should you so wish. Huzzah!

Despite the similarity to the first game, all of the level themes feel far more different by comparison.. The building and water themed levels do bear some resemblance to the initial stages in Toree 3D, but they’re suitably different enough to make them stand apart in their own right. Level gimmicks, however, remain pretty much the same as the first game, albeit with some new ones that act as reskins. The water slides, for example, are basically just watery conveyor belts; and the boost rings are essentially airborne variants of the boost tripwire. The lava theme adds in some new stuff that feels completely fresh, but it’s mostly restricted to these latter stages. All the platforming challenges are still consistently fun, but it does add to the effect that this game is more of an extension to Toree 3D rather than a full-blown sequel.

But the game is still fun, at the end of the day. And, unlike the original, there are absolutely no dud levels here. The final level may be a little too short, since the main focus seems to be on the boss fight, but every stage is entertaining to blast through. And blast through, you will. The game can be beaten in around 20 minutes with ease; faster, if you’re a Toree 3D veteran. That being said, there are collectible stars, CDs, and S ranks to obtain – the latter of which being especially hard to accomplish. Not only will these help extend the playtime for those who want it, but you can even unlock some bonus characters too. Your playtime will vary depending on how much of an incentive those provide for you, but for the asking price I would definitely say it’s enough.