PixelJunk Eden 2

Genre: Platformer

Players: 1-2 Co-Op (Local)

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Review:

PixelJunk Eden 2 is a Platformer with a unique, stylish presentation and some unique mechanics to go with it. Much as with the game’s predecessor, which started as a PlayStation 3 exclusive, players control a “Grimp”, a flea-like creature that flings itself from plant to plant using spider-like silk ziplines, collecting pollen floating in the air to cause more plants to grow, with the goal being to find each level’s “Spectra” end goal before time runs out. While the PixelJunk Eden series has previously been primarily a PlayStation franchise, PixelJunk Eden 2 released exclusively on Nintendo Switch in 2020.

The presentation here is one of the key selling points, with the game’s gardens depicted as an abstract electronica light show. This can be a bit distracting, but it is nevertheless a striking part of the game and one that overall adds a great deal to the experience. This is paired with the subdued electro-beat music that combines with the visuals to make the game overall into an audiovisual experience. This is definitely a game to chill with as an audiovisual experience just as much as it is a game to play.

Of course, that’s not to say the gameplay here is disposable – quite the opposite. While it takes a little time getting used to the unique way players move their grimp around the game’s environs, once it clicks it’s a really joyful experience. Swinging around, flinging yourself from plant to plant… it can make for a thrilling rush, almost like some sort of abstract 2D Spider-Man game.

This is helped by multiple quality-of-life improvements here over the first game. Grimps now have what amounts to a double-jump of sorts they can use to help re-orient themselves in mid-air, giving players a chance to self-correct when they accidentally fling themselves out into open space. Also handy are new checkpoints that both refill the timer and allow players to continue from that point if they run out of time. There are consumable “spice” upgrades that make it easier to traverse the levels, extend time, or make it easier to find the goal. And players now get different types of grimps, each with their own unique skill or ability.

While overall these improvements make PixelJunk Eden 2 a better game than its predecessor, there are still some issues that keep this from fully making use of its unique strengths. Firstly, the chill and relaxed tone the game takes runs counter to the constantly-ticking timer that is the game’s primary enemy. Also, while players do get new grimps and new interesting levels as they proceed, they can’t choose their grimp, and they can’t simply replay a level they like, instead given a random handful of levels they must play to proceed. This is made more frustrating because the game re-uses levels often making the experience feel repetitive.

If I were heading the design team for this series, I would give the team an ultimatum – either ditch the timer and find some other way to challenge the player, or ditch the “spectra” end point and make each level a score attack. Either solution would make this game a playground for the game’s excellent physics-driven gameplay and audiovisual experience. As it stands now, this game has some really compelling elements, but it feels like it could do more with them if the game only had some simple tweaking.

Still, while there are definitely areas where PixelJunk Eden 2 could do with improvement, overall this game is a joy to play and a feast for the eyes and ears. It is, on the whole, an improvement over the first game, and one of the more unique Platformers on the Nintendo Switch. Fans of the genre should definitely give it a try.

tl;dr – PixelJunk Eden 2 is a Platformer that has players using silk ziplines to swing their flea-like creature from plant to plant collecting pollen, with a striking electronica soundtrack and abstract light show visuals. Although there are still multiple parts of the game’s design that could do with improvement, overall this is a better game than its predecessor, and a truly unique Platforming experience.

Grade: B

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