Something of the middle child of the trilogy, this lacks the polish of the first game (which as a 2D platformer benefited from developer LakeFeperd's experience making all those Sonic fangames) or the third (which benefited from his experience making, well, Spark 2) but brings enough to the table to still be worth a look.
This is a very clear send-up to the Adventure-era Sonic games, with the open, shortcut-friendly levels of Adventure 1 and the more industrial atmosphere and grittier (if tongue-in-cheek) storytelling of Adventure 2. Levels are meant to be both exciting and replayable, with resident Metal Sonic stand-in Fark's rocket-like speed and equally impressive agility lending well to speedruns. A medal system, with 2 each based on time and scoring, even encourages this, though of the two sets i really only bothered with the time medals.
Things aren't perfect; again the game lacks polish, the levels lack memorable backdrops or sequences and can start to blend into each other while the bosses are a joke (unfortunate when the first game had some excellent ones). That said, there's still a great time to be had with Spark 2, and the series only goes up from here
This is a very clear send-up to the Adventure-era Sonic games, with the open, shortcut-friendly levels of Adventure 1 and the more industrial atmosphere and grittier (if tongue-in-cheek) storytelling of Adventure 2. Levels are meant to be both exciting and replayable, with resident Metal Sonic stand-in Fark's rocket-like speed and equally impressive agility lending well to speedruns. A medal system, with 2 each based on time and scoring, even encourages this, though of the two sets i really only bothered with the time medals.
Things aren't perfect; again the game lacks polish, the levels lack memorable backdrops or sequences and can start to blend into each other while the bosses are a joke (unfortunate when the first game had some excellent ones). That said, there's still a great time to be had with Spark 2, and the series only goes up from here
Pretty darn not as good
spark actually isn't in this one
Continuing my Spark Journey. While Spark 1 was an offbrand 2D Sonic, Spark 2 goes the 3D Sonic route.
Spark 2 does an admirable job of capturing the energy the Sonic Adventure games had. Unfortunately, I found the controls a bit too loose and slippery for my liking (3D Sonic games also have this problem sometimes). This made the more precise platforming segments later in the game pretty frustrating. Having the ability to use the shoulder buttons to nudge Fark left and right while running like in later 3D Sonics would have made a huge difference for me.
Even with all that aside, this is still a pretty impressive effort for a game where the lion's share of the design is made by a single person. Looking forward to Spark 3.
Spark 2 does an admirable job of capturing the energy the Sonic Adventure games had. Unfortunately, I found the controls a bit too loose and slippery for my liking (3D Sonic games also have this problem sometimes). This made the more precise platforming segments later in the game pretty frustrating. Having the ability to use the shoulder buttons to nudge Fark left and right while running like in later 3D Sonics would have made a huge difference for me.
Even with all that aside, this is still a pretty impressive effort for a game where the lion's share of the design is made by a single person. Looking forward to Spark 3.
Pretty charming and good effort to make something like a 3D sonic game. Although I think it lacks visual clarity for where things are. I also wish the game had some more spectacle to make levels more memorable.
Cleared on October 11th, 2023
Spark the Electric Jester 1 is a 2D platformer that takes inspiration from the Sonic games of the Genesis era while putting its own set of mechanics, and while I wasn't a fan of its physics, I thought it was a well made game. Spark the Electric Jester 2 decides to take the franchise into a 3D direction inspired by the Sonic games of the Dreamcast era, and it's unironically better than all of the 3D Sonic games, but how?
The answer is simple. The developers had a vision of what makes a good Sonic game in general with high speed action, momentum, and precise platforming and translated it into 3D something that Sonic games hasn't been doing too hot with as of late, and while Sonic Frontiers is positively received, it's not quite at the full potential of what the series could do. Maybe that day will come, but until then, Spark the Electric Jester 2 fills in the gaps just fine.
Despite the title, it does not star Spark himself and he doesn't even make a physical appearance in the game, and the spotlight is taken over by his robot clone, Fark. So remember that Fark side story in Spark 1? Well, it's actually non-canon, and in its place is the story for Spark 2. Not that it's a big deal, even in Spark 1 the game warns you that this is the case, but it's something to point out.
Unlike the previous game, the game takes a more serious tone with a greater emphasis on story and makes attempts to be more dramatic with the villain having a more philosophical belief, plot twists, and a gritty atmosphere. However, I didn't really think it was anything that special to be honest. It's fine, but it's just there to be a reason why things happen in the game.
As for the game itself, it translates the Spark the Electric Jester gameplay style from the 2D games onto 3D while strangely having a better sense of momentum than the 2D games do. You have what you would expect from a Sonic style 3D platformer which includes high movement speed, homing attack, and a means to wind up speed and go faster, but here, not only can you wind up speed in the ground with Jester Dash, you can also do it in the air to propel yourself forward which gives you greater aerial mobility, but if you feel like you might overshoot it, you can just use the Dash button to get a short distance in an instant and in the ground, it's useful for dodging attacks.
One of the more interesting quirks of Spark the Electric Jester 2 is that it's more than just a 3D Sonic game where you move fast, homing attack your foes or maybe spin dash or boost into them and move on; it also acts as a Beat Em Up game where you can mash the light and heavy attack button repeatedly for damage although other than for the fun of it and for getting the high score, this isn't really something you'll find yourself doing often aside from boss battles (more on that later).
The Jester Powers make a return, but the benefits you reap are more subtle this time around and there aren't as many either. The good news is that you can carry 3 at a time + the default.
Electric is the standard and thus makes it seem the most underwhelming, but it does have the niche of allowing you to attack while moving as the others you force you to stop, so if there's a weak grounded enemy in your way and you need to keep moving, this would be the best power-up for that situation. It's 3x charge up attack is a hard hitting projectile.
Edgy makes a return and this time Fark is the one with the power. It's a great power-up for mobility as you can triple-jump by charging the heavy attack and dash three times while in the air which allows for great air control. It's 3x charge up attack is a screen nuke.
Plasma is based on the Sword power-up from the last game and allows its heavy attack to act as a projectile, and on top of that, charging the heavy attack lets you move faster and act as a third jump as well.
Hammer makes a return, but it doesn't offer any mobility benefits, but the damage output it has is quite impressive, making it a potent power-up in combat.
Biker is a new one and much like Plasma, the charge-up lets you move faster on a bike, but the speed boost is in burst and damages foes in its way. It's useful as another means to gain momentum without having to use the Jester Dash in the Ground.
Power Armor is another new one and it allows your dash to become a glide by holding the button.
The level design is really good. I don't know what the differences are between Very Hard (the difficulty I played) and the others, but I thought the levels had a reasonable challenge and when it counts, it knows how to test your ability to use the game's mechanics. Some parts are just a road with no obstacles for high speed action, but it doesn't feel automated and you have to actually steer Fark so he doesn't end up falling off. There are also speed boosters that act as a crutch for 3D Sonic games, but I didn't think they were overbearing here, and I remember one segment that used it to their advantage where it would force you in a circle and you need to jump at a perfect time just to get out of it while being able to advance forward.
The boss battles in this game are not too bad either although once you understand your parry window and their attack patterns, the boss fights can seem easy although in the difficulty I played, this could be seen as risky as they also deal a high amount of damage, so if you slip up, that's going to be really bad. That aside, it's not really a big deal if you lose, you just have to start the boss fight from the beginning.
It's also really cool that many of the boss fights have vocal themes with three of them being in the game. One of which was already in Spark 1, another used for 3 boss fights, and one more used for the ultimate final boss. It's no Crush 40 or anything, and maybe in comparison it may seem amateurish, but it's a good effort to match the Sonic Dreamcast style soundtrack the game was going for, and when you got epic level themes like Planetary Stripes to back you up, I say it was an effort well done.
And from what I'm told, Spark 3 is supposed to be even better, and to think I had such a blast with this game that I was willing to say it's better than any Sonic game I have played, and I'm not even a Sonic hater.
Spark the Electric Jester 1 is a 2D platformer that takes inspiration from the Sonic games of the Genesis era while putting its own set of mechanics, and while I wasn't a fan of its physics, I thought it was a well made game. Spark the Electric Jester 2 decides to take the franchise into a 3D direction inspired by the Sonic games of the Dreamcast era, and it's unironically better than all of the 3D Sonic games, but how?
The answer is simple. The developers had a vision of what makes a good Sonic game in general with high speed action, momentum, and precise platforming and translated it into 3D something that Sonic games hasn't been doing too hot with as of late, and while Sonic Frontiers is positively received, it's not quite at the full potential of what the series could do. Maybe that day will come, but until then, Spark the Electric Jester 2 fills in the gaps just fine.
Despite the title, it does not star Spark himself and he doesn't even make a physical appearance in the game, and the spotlight is taken over by his robot clone, Fark. So remember that Fark side story in Spark 1? Well, it's actually non-canon, and in its place is the story for Spark 2. Not that it's a big deal, even in Spark 1 the game warns you that this is the case, but it's something to point out.
Unlike the previous game, the game takes a more serious tone with a greater emphasis on story and makes attempts to be more dramatic with the villain having a more philosophical belief, plot twists, and a gritty atmosphere. However, I didn't really think it was anything that special to be honest. It's fine, but it's just there to be a reason why things happen in the game.
As for the game itself, it translates the Spark the Electric Jester gameplay style from the 2D games onto 3D while strangely having a better sense of momentum than the 2D games do. You have what you would expect from a Sonic style 3D platformer which includes high movement speed, homing attack, and a means to wind up speed and go faster, but here, not only can you wind up speed in the ground with Jester Dash, you can also do it in the air to propel yourself forward which gives you greater aerial mobility, but if you feel like you might overshoot it, you can just use the Dash button to get a short distance in an instant and in the ground, it's useful for dodging attacks.
One of the more interesting quirks of Spark the Electric Jester 2 is that it's more than just a 3D Sonic game where you move fast, homing attack your foes or maybe spin dash or boost into them and move on; it also acts as a Beat Em Up game where you can mash the light and heavy attack button repeatedly for damage although other than for the fun of it and for getting the high score, this isn't really something you'll find yourself doing often aside from boss battles (more on that later).
The Jester Powers make a return, but the benefits you reap are more subtle this time around and there aren't as many either. The good news is that you can carry 3 at a time + the default.
Electric is the standard and thus makes it seem the most underwhelming, but it does have the niche of allowing you to attack while moving as the others you force you to stop, so if there's a weak grounded enemy in your way and you need to keep moving, this would be the best power-up for that situation. It's 3x charge up attack is a hard hitting projectile.
Edgy makes a return and this time Fark is the one with the power. It's a great power-up for mobility as you can triple-jump by charging the heavy attack and dash three times while in the air which allows for great air control. It's 3x charge up attack is a screen nuke.
Plasma is based on the Sword power-up from the last game and allows its heavy attack to act as a projectile, and on top of that, charging the heavy attack lets you move faster and act as a third jump as well.
Hammer makes a return, but it doesn't offer any mobility benefits, but the damage output it has is quite impressive, making it a potent power-up in combat.
Biker is a new one and much like Plasma, the charge-up lets you move faster on a bike, but the speed boost is in burst and damages foes in its way. It's useful as another means to gain momentum without having to use the Jester Dash in the Ground.
Power Armor is another new one and it allows your dash to become a glide by holding the button.
The level design is really good. I don't know what the differences are between Very Hard (the difficulty I played) and the others, but I thought the levels had a reasonable challenge and when it counts, it knows how to test your ability to use the game's mechanics. Some parts are just a road with no obstacles for high speed action, but it doesn't feel automated and you have to actually steer Fark so he doesn't end up falling off. There are also speed boosters that act as a crutch for 3D Sonic games, but I didn't think they were overbearing here, and I remember one segment that used it to their advantage where it would force you in a circle and you need to jump at a perfect time just to get out of it while being able to advance forward.
The boss battles in this game are not too bad either although once you understand your parry window and their attack patterns, the boss fights can seem easy although in the difficulty I played, this could be seen as risky as they also deal a high amount of damage, so if you slip up, that's going to be really bad. That aside, it's not really a big deal if you lose, you just have to start the boss fight from the beginning.
It's also really cool that many of the boss fights have vocal themes with three of them being in the game. One of which was already in Spark 1, another used for 3 boss fights, and one more used for the ultimate final boss. It's no Crush 40 or anything, and maybe in comparison it may seem amateurish, but it's a good effort to match the Sonic Dreamcast style soundtrack the game was going for, and when you got epic level themes like Planetary Stripes to back you up, I say it was an effort well done.
And from what I'm told, Spark 3 is supposed to be even better, and to think I had such a blast with this game that I was willing to say it's better than any Sonic game I have played, and I'm not even a Sonic hater.
I gotta go fast
Surprisingly not totally obsolete even after all of its levels were ported forwards. Score runs in Spark 2 are notably more interesting than in Spark 3. The Jester Powers also provide a palpably different platforming experience if you utilize the right ones as jump-chain extenders.
One of my favorite comedy games.
The levels do kinda bleed together a bit and the game is kinda jank but it's held together by one of the funniest stories I've ever seen in a video game. I normally don't play games primarily for the story but Spark 2's story toes the line between irony and sincerity so well that you genuinely can't tell which one of the two it is. Several "jaw-dropping" moments and edgy tropes are played so straight that it ends up looping around into hilarious, accentuated by the limited 3D cutscene animation. You can very much tell this was LakeFerperd's first game animating 3D cutscenes, and while the attempt was admirable it gives the cutscenes an additional level of hilarity. Play this for the laughs and an interesting take in 3D speedy platformer gameplay, it'll at least get a laugh or two out of you.
The levels do kinda bleed together a bit and the game is kinda jank but it's held together by one of the funniest stories I've ever seen in a video game. I normally don't play games primarily for the story but Spark 2's story toes the line between irony and sincerity so well that you genuinely can't tell which one of the two it is. Several "jaw-dropping" moments and edgy tropes are played so straight that it ends up looping around into hilarious, accentuated by the limited 3D cutscene animation. You can very much tell this was LakeFerperd's first game animating 3D cutscenes, and while the attempt was admirable it gives the cutscenes an additional level of hilarity. Play this for the laughs and an interesting take in 3D speedy platformer gameplay, it'll at least get a laugh or two out of you.
Fun 3D "sonic" game with way fewer Kirby inspired power mechanics and a god-awful story. Gameplay is what I really wanted from 3D Sonic games but combat (specially against bosses) is very eh. Some character models are really bad but I guess it's still impressive given it's basically a one-man project. Has some REALLY cool level design ideas that I’ve never seen done in actual Sonic games.
really solid little 3d platformer. its very short (like an hour and a half) but in that runtime they throw so much at you that you have a smile on your face the whole time. it can be a little jank and i wasn't too into the story but its a great time and some great stepping stones for what spark 3 would become
I enjoyed it a lot more than the first one. It's very janky, parry is broken (in your favor) and sometimes it's hard to control, but i had a lot of fun.
It also made for a great stream with friends, we laughed a ton at my horrible gameplay and at some of the cutscenes.
I almost forgot to mention that the ost is pretty nice.
It also made for a great stream with friends, we laughed a ton at my horrible gameplay and at some of the cutscenes.
I almost forgot to mention that the ost is pretty nice.
You can tell a Brazilian made this game
Look, I can't.
The assets look like they're from an asset store and the level design is weeeeeeird.
The assets look like they're from an asset store and the level design is weeeeeeird.
Who knew this small indie developer could make a better 3D Sonic game than 90% of Sonic Team's games?
Spark 2 is a clear homage to Sonic Adventure 2 in so many ways when it comes to gameplay, level design, aesthetics etc. And it does it really well - although some parts in the level design and graphics are a bit rough around the edges.
The gameplay itself is pretty much a more fast-paced frantic version of Sonic's gameplay in SA2 which can be really fun if you master the controls. Sometimes I wish 3D Sonic controlled like this. But no gimmicks in the levels here. It's just get from point A to B with pure speed and platforming.
If you got that Sekiro crave, the bossfights give a fun parry challenge, which is really satisfying every time you get a perfect parry.
The writing is a little too "fan-fictiony" for my tastes, which the first game also had an issue with. I started skipping the story about halfway through the game.
If you're a fan of SA2 and itching for more 3D Sonic Type gameplay, I highly suggest giving this a try. Keep in mind the game is pretty short and can be beaten in an afternoon.
Spark 2 is a clear homage to Sonic Adventure 2 in so many ways when it comes to gameplay, level design, aesthetics etc. And it does it really well - although some parts in the level design and graphics are a bit rough around the edges.
The gameplay itself is pretty much a more fast-paced frantic version of Sonic's gameplay in SA2 which can be really fun if you master the controls. Sometimes I wish 3D Sonic controlled like this. But no gimmicks in the levels here. It's just get from point A to B with pure speed and platforming.
If you got that Sekiro crave, the bossfights give a fun parry challenge, which is really satisfying every time you get a perfect parry.
The writing is a little too "fan-fictiony" for my tastes, which the first game also had an issue with. I started skipping the story about halfway through the game.
If you're a fan of SA2 and itching for more 3D Sonic Type gameplay, I highly suggest giving this a try. Keep in mind the game is pretty short and can be beaten in an afternoon.
Pretty decent but 3 is the better version of it
I was surprised to find out that the entire game is played as Fark. I wasn't aware of its previous name, but hey I think it still works as a sequel. The gameplay is pretty good. I like My only complaint with it is the feeling of the homing attack doesn't feel quite as smooth as I want it to be. The level design becomes way too simplistic as moments as well. Showing this game off to a fellow Sonic fan was a hard time LOL
You ever have a diamond in your hands that plunges in beauty due to tons of small cuts? That's spark 2. The basic go-fast gameplay is pretty fun, with alot of options for mobility, shortcuts etc. But the lack of visual clarity harms the game a ton. Whether its getting lost in levels, getting hit because of hard to see/know about hitboxes (EG a laser still hurting you as the particles dissipate, the flame hitbox extending upwards past where it visually is), or the bosses demolishing you since you have barely any time to know/react to their attacks, leading to most fights being a spamfest where you mash the parry and dash button. Soundtracks pretty good at least.
this game would be good if most of the levels didn't hurt my eyes
ITS SO FUCKING OVER
Just kinda forgettable, especially after playing Spark 3. It's a fun game, but lacks polish and some... spark. Can't really say it's worth playing when the third one exists.
Way better than the first game. It went from a clearly Sonic inspired game to more of its own thing. However, the combat and the bosses were a joke. The only good thing was the gameplay, where my only complaint is that sometimes you get lost in these huge levels and don't know where to really go, but that's fine. The story was ok too, kind of generic Anime story.
Awkward transition to 3D. had a lot of camera issues as well as general gameplay jank. Like the idea of boss fights but the parry is too strong for them to feel appropriately difficult.
A fairly smooth transition into 3D, although it once again feels like it runs out of steam in the final levels.
Definitely better than the first one. The only issue here is that some of the levels are still kinda shallow when it comes to actual platforming challenge over spamming a bunch of enemies and traps. When it comes to combat in this game, you can literally get away with just pressing L1 like you're in a soulsborne and spamming attack. It was an enjoyable, albeit, short game.
Quite a fun Sonic-like, embracing the speed and esoteric level design that makes Sega’s mascot adventures so fun. A bouncin’ soundtrack and surprisingly good controls make this worth playing if you ever crave Sonic the Hedgehog without, well, Sonic the Hedgehog.
Full Review: https://neoncloudff.wordpress.com/2021/05/31/now-playing-may-2021-edition/
Full Review: https://neoncloudff.wordpress.com/2021/05/31/now-playing-may-2021-edition/
On one hand, it's a neat idea to have none of the game be automated and it leads to some great levels.
On the other hand, it sucks when the physics make you fall to your death when you're on a wall or a loop and you don't have enough momentum.
On the other hand, it sucks when the physics make you fall to your death when you're on a wall or a loop and you don't have enough momentum.
A really honest game, but very bad sincerally
Confusing level design, forgettable soundtrack but fine, poor visuals, but it have a good character design so ok i guess.
One of the worst combat i ever played, but at least no need to use until bosses, which it's a fucking button smashing.
Sorry LakeFeperd, mas dessa vez não deu não.
Confusing level design, forgettable soundtrack but fine, poor visuals, but it have a good character design so ok i guess.
One of the worst combat i ever played, but at least no need to use until bosses, which it's a fucking button smashing.
Sorry LakeFeperd, mas dessa vez não deu não.
continuação do primeiro jogo muito bom
Good Platformer but not a good High-Speed Platformer; it's so easy to fly and skip half of the hazards before late-game levels, can't say I was bored messing with and exploring though. You can also beat it in one evening, so quickly I don't even know if it's a 3 or 3.5 stars because I didn't have enough time to conclude that. I never expected the bosses to be the best part of any 3D platformer though, especially the second half, I enjoyed learning them on the hardest difficulty (again) while listening to the bangers of this game