Guacamelee! 2

A Mexican-inspired Metroidvania that doesn't reinvent itself but polishes nearly every aspect of the original to near perfection. The grappling, throwing, and punching combat builds naturally into a satisfying, luchador zen-like flow, but the standout is the inventive level design, which constantly presents fresh creative challenges without ever wowing you the same way twice. While the power-ups play it a bit safe, it's a blast to play and stands among the greatest examples of the genre.

A sequel done right that edges ahead of the original thanks to fresh moves like the grappling ability, which fixes the first game's finicky platforming and enables new puzzles. Combat, controls, and level variety are all refined, and the now-integral kung-fu chicken mechanics are a hilarious delight. The only real letdown is a slightly less engaging story with a lackluster villain.

A competent Metroidvania that's perfectly decent but largely just more of the original without adding much. The platforming and combat still evolve impressively in parallel as abilities unlock, creating a satisfying difficulty curve. It feels half-hearted overall, the final boss underwhelms, and its humor leans too heavily on memes and references that undercut every dramatic moment.

A strong return for DrinkBox Studios that improves on the original Metroidvania with sharper platforming, solid combo-based combat, and a more versatile chicken form. The zany humor and art are still excellent, and while some combat rooms slow the momentum and multiplayer can be hard to track, it shouldn't be missed.