Teslagrad 2 Nintendo Switch review – a new mag of tricks

Since its unique launch in 2013, Teslagrad holds up as an ingenious puzzle platformer that makes use of magnets to create its predicaments. Gradual, methodical, however stuffed with eureka moments, the indie darling nonetheless maintains a cult following a few years on.

So, after a decade, we now arrive at Teslagrad 2, an fascinating and iterative sequel that builds upon what got here earlier than. This time you play because the younger Teslamancer Lumina, who’s on a mission to get dwelling. She has the power to make use of magnetic vitality to stay to steel or propel herself away from opposing magnetic forces, whereas she will additionally use electrical energy to zap ahead, referred to as a blink. That’s not all there’s, however that’s all you should know for now.

The story right here is skinny at finest, wordlessly acted round Lumina, as a imprecise plot involving Vikings sees her on a mission to get dwelling. This time round although, whereas Teslagrad is about fixing puzzles, Teslagrad 2 is way more about platforming. Certain, there are nonetheless conundrums in every room that you would be able to solely remedy together with your magnetic energy, however every part feels extra targeted on motion this time round.

The gameplay in Teslagrad 2 is frantic, with large puzzles that take up a whole lot of area. There’s additionally an actual feeling of pace, as you careen round giant loops and slide down slopes, typically utilizing momentum and magnets to achieve new platforms. This title is loosely a Metroidvania, as you revisit older areas as you progress, however it feels way more imprecise and expansive than most, as an alternative of revolving round a decent focus.

As you begin, you discover a collection of acquainted puzzles that require you to make use of magnetic energy to stay to surfaces and blink by way of gates or fences to achieve new areas. Sometimes an enemy or a boss combat will get in the best way, however these are sometimes handled by working away or throwing a projectile of some kind. Lumina isn’t typically actively able to attacking.

An early boss combat involving a moose is an effective instance of this technique working effectively, however I typically discover it irritating after I must be discovering it satisfying. Enemies swarm round you, and with solely the power to blink – which calls for a brief recharge time – fight appears like you’re simply making an attempt to remain alive. The sport feels a lot better when Lumina has an opportunity to actual some actual revenge on foes.

You don’t want to fret an excessive amount of about bosses or enemies slowing down development although, as nearly all the gameplay revolves round you utilizing your magnet powers to achieve new areas, avoiding enemies, and utilizing your momentum. If something, it jogs my memory considerably of Ori and the Blind Forest blended with Sonic – and sure, I do imply the Hedgehog.

One of many essential talents you unlock is the facility to slip and use electrical energy to interrupt by way of issues. This, coupled together with your magnet energy, sees Lumina hurtling by way of ranges that fling her round like a pinball. Alongside large magnetic worm-like waves, there’s such a robust concentrate on pace and momentum, it feels very at odds with the concept of a Metroidvania. It’s nonetheless enjoyable when it really works, however I can’t say that I get pleasure from returning to early areas that limit your motion extra.

A very enjoyable method of shifting round entails utilizing ropes and gliding by way of them with electrical energy, very like in Tremendous Mario Odyssey. The primary method of opening up new areas is by firing ropes again into earlier locales, permitting Lumina to shortly glide alongside them and decide up earlier collectables. Teslagrad 2 feels a lot better whenever you’re having fun with the sooner sense of momentum, and I do love the massive ropes that join completely different areas as a method of traversal.

When it comes to issue, the sport is hard, and whereas there’s an choice for an off-the-cuff or a standard mode, there’s no strategy to change this when you begin. So, in the event you get caught on a boss combat later, sadly you’ll be able to’t knock the issue down, which means you’re simply going to have to stay it out. In reality, there are only a few choices, as you’ll be able to solely alter the quantity of the music or sound results, or flip off rumble. I hope future updates can provide gamers extra methods to finetune their expertise.

Talking of music, the audio presentation in Teslagrad 2 is stellar. I really like the evocative and energetic rating, which undoubtedly pulls from the Nordic influences. Additionally, sound results all have a satisfying buzz, zap, or ‘thhhwwwuung’ to them when utilizing the completely different talents. All the things sounds pleasing and feels nice to work together with.

Visually, issues are fascinating, as Lumina strikes at a sluggish framerate, trying like cease movement in opposition to a way more fluid background. The sport utilises a pleasant illustrative fashion with clear colors, and I particularly just like the element and depth within the backgrounds. It’s somewhat easy, however there’s nothing incorrect with any of it. Sadly although, the Swap struggles sometimes, as I incessantly come throughout stuttering and framerate dips.

With a recreation so targeted on pace and fast puzzle-solving platforming, it’s irritating to see the efficiency sometimes get in the best way. Mercifully, there’s auto-save, and the sport by no means drops you again too removed from the place you die, however it’s annoying all the identical. Whereas the sport is gorgeous to have a look at, it’s nonetheless nothing too taxing. The Swap’s incapacity to run it easily is one other indictment of the ageing {hardware}, and I don’t blame studios who know an indie title nonetheless sells finest on the platform.

Altogether, Teslagrad 2 is a enjoyable sequel that appears like a sensible step for the franchise. Imbuing the magnet powers with extra pace, vitality, and a barely looser really feel, there’s a lot much less of a concentrate on puzzles this time round. The sport does lose a few of its persona within the course of, and, whereas I like Teslagrad 2, there’s little or no I really like. There are some nice concepts and Lumina feels implausible to manage, I simply want it had a greater concept of what to do along with her powers.

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