Unravel Two review

Martin Sahlin (Creative Director at Coldwood Interactive) nervously announced that his small studio from Sweden was working on a puzzle-platform platform game about love, separation, during EA's 2015 E3 press conferences. Halfway through his talk, he reached into his jacket and revealed Yarny, an animated, small-sized ball of yarn. Two years later, Yarny is back and this time he has a friend.

Unravel Two's opening scene reveals that Unravel Two is different from the original. You are introduced to your new twine partner during the first scene. This time, you'll be bound together by your respective blue and red twines to help you explore the memories and solve the puzzles.

You may be wondering if the game requires two players. The answer is no. Unravel Two's balance allows one person to play both characters, with no restrictions on your progress or ability to solve puzzles. It's a great game to play with a friend, or partner, because it offers the possibility of joint play. You can combine both Yarnys to make it easier for single-players to get around, although you will still need to do some puzzles separately.

New mechanics are inevitable, and there are many. The game now requires you to think together and rely on your friend to help you overcome obstacles. Your Yarny can be used as an anchor point, a counterweight to climb unreachable heights and even as a distraction for friendly wildlife. Every puzzle is a collaborative effort, with many of the more complex puzzles being swapped for a more interactive approach.

Unravel 2

It also offers an innovative approach to accessibility, with a variety of settings to adjust difficulty and gameplay mechanics. You can adjust how many hints you receive, or the slow-motion slower mechanics that allow you to align your jumps better and avoid obstacles. You can disable all of these support factors, but it is nice to see developers take into account the wide range of skill levels and adapt for them.

Unravel Two's seven levels can be accessed through an interactive hub that gradually unlocks more content as you explore the derelict lighthouse. The main story is short and there are a few more challenging levels. It's a lot of fun to solve the timing-based puzzles that are presented.

The dual checkpoint mechanics are reminiscent of Thomas Was Alone. They add an additional layer to the puzzles. You must reach a specific point with each Yarny you own. Sometimes, you may be confronted with black smoke-like entities which can disintegrate you if they come into contact with your body like Thanos. This allows for more platform-oriented gameplay, with you jumping off walls and timing jumps that look like an Italian plumber.

Unravel 2 seems to have been a bit of a sacrifice by the developers. It was a change from the slow, personal approach to the first game for something more fast and engaging. The original game is much shorter than the sequel, and the environment takes on darker tones.

This is a significant improvement in platforming, as you can wall jump, wall slide, and otherwise move around like a parkour expert. The slower, reflective walks to the next puzzle area in the previous title have been replaced by faster chase sections. Yarny is no longer a singular individual.

Unravel 2

It appears that the Yarny we met at E3 2015 was only one of many. The sequel refers to the idea of multiple Yarnys with different characteristics. You can edit your player character anytime in the menu. There are many options that allow you to transform your Yarny. If you wish, you can alter your colour, gender, facial features, and even your eyes. Yarny has the ability to use emotes, which allow her to clap and dance at will. It's an attempt to make puzzle-platform games more accessible than the emotional story of personal loss that the original had.

Through its transformational resurrection, it gains many other attributes. This story of joyful cooperation puts friendship and belonging first. The game has not lost any of its beauty and is still borderline photorealistic in some parts. However, the serene vistas have been replaced with a more focused interior design and a darker tone to the natural spots you visit. Although it's more focused, it still offers a great opportunity to unwind and relax to the soothing music and responsive gameplay. Nothing presents the challenge that will make you stand up straight.

Unravel Two may not have retained its cathartic appeal, but you will find more refined mechanics that are more appropriate to the genre. For fans of the original, or for those who are looking for a new couch co-op after watching A Way Out, it's worth a look.