Crashlands 2 Review - Second Opinion
Crashlands 2 is a funny crafting action RPG with a unique visual style.
Crashlands 2. Butterscotch Shenanigans
My time with Crashlands 2 so far has been a blast. Butterscotch Shenanigans’ sequel to their popular first game is a crafting action RPG that refreshingly lacks survival mechanics. With its comedic tone and colorful, isometric 2D graphics, Crashlands 2 is a winner. PossumCoffee previously reviewed the game here, as well.
You are Flux, an intergalactic delivery person who works for the Bureau of Shipping. After saving planet Woanope in the first game, Flux becomes a spokesperson for the Bureau, but burns out and wants to go visit friends on the planet. As soon as she arrives, her ship is blasted out of orbit, leaving her stranded once again on the planet, this time far away from her old friends.
Crashlands 2. Butterscotch Shenanigans
As you investigate what’s going on, you explore the wilderness and do quests for the locals. NPCs you befriend will help you discover new crafting recipes, and they often move into the home that you build as the game progresses. The dialogue with them is fun, and the characters are endearing.
Combat is varied, with lots of silly weapons you can build to fight the hostile wildlife. Weapons and support gear work on a cooldown timer, so in combat, you rotate between the various items you have equipped. At the same time, you can set off environmental hazards, or even bait one kind of creature into attacking another. It all feels very organic and can get frantic; thankfully, penalties for death aren’t that severe. You just respawn elsewhere and have to get back to the inflatable decoy you drop on death to recover items.
I love the art in this game. Everything is vibrant, with a palette that feels suitably alien, full of purples, blues, and greens. The alien flora and fauna are imaginatively designed. Animations are exaggerated and cartoonish, making it a joy to explore the world. The visual style as a whole is cohesive and aligns well with the game’s tone, and is also very idiosyncratic and unique. Butterscotch Shenanigans’ has nailed the art direction.
Crashlands 2. Butterscotch Shenanigans
I’m going to have to spend a lot longer digging into the world of Crashlands 2 to finish the game, and I’m looking forward to it. The only thing that I feel is truly missing is multiplayer co-op. My understanding is that the first game features couch co-op, and I could tell that this game would be even more fun with a friend. I hope it gets added in a future update.
Crashlands 2 is available now on Steam.
Overall Score (so far): 8/10
Played on: Steam Deck
