Plumet 2 Review - Not One of the Best Freeware Games but Still Good

Plumet 2 Review - Not One of the Best Freeware Games but Still Good
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An Improved Sequel - Plumet 2 Review

The first Plumet was a somewhat charming, slightly addictive freeware game that sadly didn’t offer much, if any, variety in its design. The game was undoubtedly fun, but with little to no change in its constant gameplay, it was hard to stay interested for long. Plumet 2 manages to change all of that, offering a fun little experience that can still get repetitive after a while, but most certainly shines due to some key additions. As a result, Plumet 2 doesn’t take its place as one of the best freeware games on the internet, but it certainly deserves a look by fans of the first game, casual gamers looking for something to get hooked on, and I dare say the open-minded hardcore gamer looking for some quick fun.

Plumet 2 Gameplay (3 out of 5)

Plumet 2 is definitely a step up from the first game.

The first Plumet had you guiding a nameless character down a series of platforms as the screen scrolled downward. It was a simple mechanic, but as we’ve seen in the past, some of the best freeware games out there were built on simple mechanics. Unfortunately, Plumet didn’t really do much to stand out as a quality title, even if it was centered around the casual mentality. Luckily, Plumet 2 takes the simple formula and adds a couple of ingenious features that really make it stand out as a much better game.

The first noticeable difference in Plumet 2 is the fact that jumping is actually utilized. You’re not simply falling from platform to platform. You must also jump over obstructions and press onward. The mechanic is undeniably simple, but its presence is really welcome, and as you progress further, quick timing is required to succeed and achieve a high score, especially if you want to unlock all of the characters in the game.

In addition to the main mode, there is also a two-player competitive mode that you can play against the computer or a friend locally. Playing against the computer is challenging and rewarding, but it doesn’t top the chaos that ensues if you play with a buddy. Multiplayer in a game like Plumet 2 really pushes the one-more-try mentality that these high score-based games emphasize so much.

Controls (4 out of 5)

Controlling your character in Plumet 2 is simple and effective. You run, jump, and roll using the arrow keys and nothing else. It may not be the most complex control scheme, but games like Plumet 2 don’t really need it. Some gamers–especially gamepad purists– may have a hard time keeping up as the screen begins to scroll down faster, but for the most part, the controls are solid and work well.

Graphics (4 out of 5)

Playing against a friend is a total blast.

Though visually charming, the first Plumet suffered from an overly simple graphical style. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Plumet 2. The game’s backgrounds, foregrounds, and unlockable characters are all more charming, more animated, and more enjoyable to look at. It’s fun watching the environment change as you fall more and more, and this time around, there are some pretty major changes to your surroundings as you progress further. Playing for long periods of time still yields somewhat repetitive results in terms of backgrounds, but the art design in this game is a major step above its predecessor. The game still isn’t at the level of other animated titles such as Fancy Pants Adventures, but it looks good nonetheless.

Sound (3 out of 5)

Unlocking characters is fun and adds to the replay value in Plumet 2.

Variety doesn’t seem to be a strong point in the Plumet series, and if a third game is ever released, let’s hope a collection of themes is heard throughout instead of just a couple of tunes. That said, the songs that play in Plumet 2 during solo play and multiplayer are notches above the original game’s score, and their slowly changing beat makes them catchy and really enjoyable to listen to. There may only be two songs during Plumet 2’s gameplay progression, but at least they’re really good songs. Next time, let’s hear more themes like these two.

Plumet 2 Review - Overall Score (3 out of 5)

Plumet 2 may not win any awards for best casual game or anything of that nature, but it’s certainly an enjoyable high score challenger that adds enough fundamental features to make it far better than the original. The game’s main gameplay will draw you in, but the unlockable characters, which are earned by falling a set number of meters, will keep you playing a lot longer. If that wasn’t enough, the game’s competitive two-player mode is so enticing that you’ll want to play against your buddies repeatedly.

A few core gamers out there may get some enjoyment out of this title, and rightfully so, as it’s a lot better than the original. Casual gamers or anyone looking for a way to kill a few minutes, however, are bound to get a good deal of quick and satisfying enjoyment out of Plumet 2.