It's definitely heartbreaking when a sequel is highly overshadowed by its predecessor. It's weird because Not Tonight (and Papers, Please by extension) are some of my favorite games due to the freshness and originality of their gameplay/premise - so it's kinda weird to see that this entry went for an attempt to sterilize that unique formula. They looked for a way to make the game more popular and I get that, but in that attempt I fear that much of the soul was lost. That and the annoying undertone of environmental consciousness kinda ruined it for me.
Not Tonight 2 was a bit of a disappointment. The original game's beauty was how simple it was in its components and how complex it was when all of those components were combined. It feels like PanicBarn tried to do a little too much. Not Tonight 2 expanded the formula as most quality sequels should, but the components together didn't deliver the same quality experience that the first game did. Many of the additions feel poorly thought out, especially the ones that leave you feeling like you had no choice in the matter. Too many of the tasks you're required to do as a bouncer lead to success and failure on a random basis. This is not what you want out of a franchise that originally was known for rewarding a person's ability to juggle everything the game threw at them.
However, the addition of a more complex and branching narrative with multiple playable characters with their own stories was a great move! It gives the game more context and motivation, allowing for an experience that felt like it mattered the whole way.
However, the addition of a more complex and branching narrative with multiple playable characters with their own stories was a great move! It gives the game more context and motivation, allowing for an experience that felt like it mattered the whole way.
A phenomenal follow up to the original! Obviously, some people aren't going to like the political messages, but I think it was handled very well. I like how every location had a unique twist to it, however some the mechanics were more frustrating than fun. The story was very good as well.
Loved all the different characters and their stories
I love the idea of this game, just like the first, it's a good simulator, but the story it's such a mess, they can't get it right, yeah, just being a bouncer for a while will get boring but this path it's not it, they have something here, it needs craft.
Ultimately I'd call this worse than the original, both due to less simplicity of it and the fact that it becomes a lot more overtly silly. This may be due to them being British devs doing a take on American politics, though.
Not Tonight 2 unfortunately pales in comparison to the previous title. I didn't really care for the mini games that replaced the multiple forms of documentation -- it felt a bit too gimmicky for my liking.
Challenge Mode isn't available like in the original title so if you want to continue playing after the story is complete, your only option is to restart the story.
On the upshot, the music is still pretty good.
Challenge Mode isn't available like in the original title so if you want to continue playing after the story is complete, your only option is to restart the story.
On the upshot, the music is still pretty good.
I liked the first game more. Nice sound tracks though.