Speedrunning was always one of my favorite ways to return to my favorite platformers. Replaying levels to build a perfect route and then executing through it always had a zen-like flow. Spark the Electric Jester 2 is one of those games that perfectly embodies that feeling.
The movement really is the highlight here. You have the speed and momentum of Sonic Adventure with the movement options of Mario 64. Because you're so agile, speeding through platforms and finding hidden routes feels intuitive.
What doesn't mesh as well with the platforming is the combat and exploration. The game is designed in a way where you either blitz it to the end or fight to earn a score while exploring at a slower pace, If you take too long, all your points are forfeited. Although making a route to execute a score run can still be fun, it feels at odds with your progression.
Fighting regular enemies and bosses generally locks you into a one-on-one fight that usually boils down to mashing your attack buttons and timing parries, making most encounters feel repetitive.
Maybe I thought the combat heavily detracted from the rest of the game, but when the credits rolled around I felt like I had to play through it again, twice. Even if there was no sequel, I'd be fine with Spark 2 being its own thing with the flaws it has. It's not faultless, but it could absolutely be worth your time.
The movement really is the highlight here. You have the speed and momentum of Sonic Adventure with the movement options of Mario 64. Because you're so agile, speeding through platforms and finding hidden routes feels intuitive.
What doesn't mesh as well with the platforming is the combat and exploration. The game is designed in a way where you either blitz it to the end or fight to earn a score while exploring at a slower pace, If you take too long, all your points are forfeited. Although making a route to execute a score run can still be fun, it feels at odds with your progression.
Fighting regular enemies and bosses generally locks you into a one-on-one fight that usually boils down to mashing your attack buttons and timing parries, making most encounters feel repetitive.
Maybe I thought the combat heavily detracted from the rest of the game, but when the credits rolled around I felt like I had to play through it again, twice. Even if there was no sequel, I'd be fine with Spark 2 being its own thing with the flaws it has. It's not faultless, but it could absolutely be worth your time.