Gimmick! 2

Gimmick! 2, developed by Bitwave Games and published by Clear River Games in collaboration with SUNSOFT, is the kind of sequel that feels almost improbable—arriving decades after the original yet carrying forward its design philosophy with remarkable clarity. Rather than reinventing itself to match modern platforming trends, the game leans into what made its predecessor distinctive: a tightly focused mechanical identity built around physics, precision, and deliberate control. This decision gives the sequel a strong sense of purpose from the very beginning, presenting itself not as a nostalgic cash-in, but as a careful continuation of a very specific design lineage. The foundation of the experience lies in its central mechanic, the star ability, which once again defines how players interact with the world. This isn’t just a projectile or a simple tool—it’s a multifaceted system that demands thoughtful use. The star can be thrown, ridden, bounced, and manipulated through environmental interactions, all governed by consistent physics that reward experimentation. What sets the game apart is how much depth is extracted from this single idea. Success depends less on quick reflexes and more on understanding momentum, positioning, and timing. Each encounter feels like a small puzzle layered within a platforming challenge, encouraging players to think before they act. Level design plays a crucial role in bringing this mechanic to life. Stages are constructed with a clear sense of intentionality, where obstacles feel carefully placed rather than arbitrarily difficult. The game steadily escalates its demands, introducing new variations on familiar challenges without overwhelming the player. There is a satisfying rhythm to progression, as each level builds on previously learned skills while subtly pushing players to refine their technique. Even when the difficulty increases, it rarely feels unfair; instead, it reinforces the idea that improvement comes through mastery rather than luck. Visually, Gimmick! 2 adopts a modernized look while retaining a playful charm that echoes its origins. The shift away from strict retro pixel art allows for smoother animations and more expressive environments, yet the overall aesthetic remains grounded and cohesive. Colors are vibrant without being distracting, and character movements feel fluid and responsive. The presentation does not aim for spectacle, but it succeeds in creating a world that feels lively and inviting. Complementing this is a thoughtfully composed soundtrack that enhances the experience with melodic, understated themes that fit naturally with the game’s tone. Where the game may divide players is in its commitment to simplicity. By focusing so heavily on a single core mechanic, it avoids the layered systems and constant novelty found in many modern platformers. For some, this results in a refreshingly pure experience that emphasizes skill and consistency. For others, it may feel somewhat limited, especially over longer sessions where the lack of mechanical variety becomes more noticeable. The game’s deliberate pacing and measured approach can also feel slower compared to more fast-paced or spectacle-driven titles in the genre. Even so, this restraint is ultimately one of the game’s defining strengths. Gimmick! 2 understands exactly what it wants to be and rarely strays from that vision. Every element—mechanics, level design, visuals, and sound—works in harmony to support a focused and cohesive experience. It respects the player’s intelligence, asking for patience and engagement rather than offering constant rewards or shortcuts. The result is a game that feels carefully crafted, where each success is earned and each failure serves as a lesson. In the end, Gimmick! 2 stands as a confident and thoughtfully executed sequel that honors its roots while refining its ideas for a modern audience. It may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking variety or accessibility above all else, but for players who appreciate precision platforming and tightly designed systems, it offers a deeply satisfying journey. It is a reminder that even in a genre crowded with innovation, there is still value in perfecting a single, well-executed concept. Rating: 8/10

What an awesome game! Really fun and inventive platformer! Right from the beginning of the game, you select your difficulty by platforming and the harder difficulty is locked being a non trivial, initially pretty hard) platforming challenge and I found that SO COOL! What an easy and fun way to communicate to your player the level of challenge they are truly selecting. It's such an awesome idea that I can't believe I'd never seen it used before! The awesome design only continued and developed more deeply from there! I love this game and am so glad that I gave it a try even after playing the first game and not liking it's more aged crude arcade gameplay style. This plays like an AU Kirby's adventure and I LOVE IT for that. This is a must play for platforming fans, fans of Kirby, fans of the cute and cuddly, and fans of genuinely difficult platforming! Don't let the cutesy stuff fool you! There were hidden portals and even just base level obstacles that had me dying and re-trying TENS of times to get through! Each and every time that I died, I knew exactly why I failed and what I needed to do differently. This game is so satisfying and I cannot wait to continue playing more!

this is such a good cute platformer!! brutal at times, though you can tone down the difficulty!!

This is probably my favorite 2d platformer of all time at this point. Cant believe it was only 3 bucks

The level design in this game is phenomenal. The art style is great. This is a top tier 2D platformer

画风很可爱

Ho 39 anni e gioco da quando ero piccolo, ai tempi del Commodore 64. Quindi di giochi ne ho giocati a migliaia. Queso Gimmick mi ha incuriosito, l'ho comprato e l'ho provato. Ho subito capito che era scorrevole, carino, poi è diventato via via piu geniale. Imitazione di Kirby? Non importa, se hanno preso l'ispirazione da quel gioco mi sta bene, anche perchè qui non è tutto troppo facile. Devi avere tempismo e abilità. Un gioco davvero splendido, perchè ti permette di divertirti e ti stimola l'ingegno con i suoi percorsi in cui devi avere velocità di ragionamento e abilità. Ben vengano sempre giochi cosi.

El juego es simple, lo que más molesta es que no se sincroniza el mando

Not a bad game for $3 AUD, but it just feels like it missed the point of the original Gimmick. The main levels of the game were for the most part really boring, and I don't think they even once asked you to do anything interesting with your star beyond really obvious bounces. The secret areas were more fun and challenging, sometimes actually requiring you to ride on your star, which was otherwise totally missing from the main levels of the game.

Είναι puzzle platformer, αρκετά δύσκολο, ειδικά για 100%, αλλά το gameplay είναι καλό, τα γραφικά, ο ήχος, αν σας αρέσει έναα δύσκολο platformer, αξίζει. ειδικά για 3€