{{short description|2020 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox video game | title = Spelunky 2 | image = Spelunky 2 logo.jpg | alt = The Spelunky 2 logo written in front of the moonlight | developer = {{ubl|Mossmouth|BlitWorks}} | publisher = Mossmouth | designer = Derek Yu | programmer = Miguel Pascual | artist = Derek Yu | composer = Eirik Suhrke | platforms = {{ubl|PlayStation 4|Microsoft Windows|Nintendo Switch|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S|PlayStation 5}} | released = {{ubl|'''PlayStation 4'''|September 15, 2020|'''Microsoft Windows'''|September 29, 2020|'''Nintendo Switch'''|August 26, 2021|'''Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S'''|January 13, 2022|'''PlayStation 5'''|March 6, 2025}} | genre = Platform, roguelike | modes = Single-player, multiplayer }}
'''''Spelunky 2''''' is a 2020 platform video game developed by Mossmouth and BlitWorks and published by Mossmouth. It is the sequel to ''Spelunky'' (2008) and was released for PlayStation 4 and Windows in September 2020, for Nintendo Switch in August 2021, for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S in January 2022, and for PlayStation 5 in March 2025. The game received critical acclaim upon release.
==Gameplay== Like its predecessor, ''Spelunky 2'' is a 2D platform game. In the game, the player assumes control of Ana, the daughter of the explorer from the first game, who visits the Moon in order to find her missing parents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/spelunky-2-review|title=Spelunky 2 review|first=Mitchell|last=Saltzman|work=IGN|date=September 14, 2020|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=November 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103042007/https://www.ign.com/articles/spelunky-2-review|url-status=live}}</ref> Ana must navigate deadly caves filled with hostile enemies and traps to collect treasures. When Ana dies, she will have to start from the beginning of the game unless the player unlocked tunnels (shortcuts) and lose all of her items, and the game is rearranged through procedural generation to present new challenges and paths. There are also 19 other characters that can be unlocked from wooden coffin-shaped boxes found in each area. Each level also features an additional "backlayer" which can be explored by the player.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/110576/spelunky-2-hands-on-preview-from-gdc-2019|title=Spelunky 2: Hands-on preview from GDC 2019|first=Oozie|last=Meija|work=Shacknews|date=March 18, 2019|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002701/https://www.shacknews.com/article/110576/spelunky-2-hands-on-preview-from-gdc-2019|url-status=live}}</ref> New areas, such as the lava-themed Volcana, are introduced. The game features a new liquid physics system, in which fluid will flow naturally throughout a level. In addition, the game introduces new monsters, traps, and ridable mounts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-08-29-heres-a-first-look-at-some-subterranean-gameplay-from-spelunky-2|title=Here's a first look at Spelunky 2's expanded subterranean gameplay|first=Matt|last=Wales|work=Eurogamer|date=August 29, 2018|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108181843/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-08-29-heres-a-first-look-at-some-subterranean-gameplay-from-spelunky-2|url-status=live}}</ref> The game also supports four-player online multiplayer, with the introduction of both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.<ref name="release date">{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/spelunky-2-release-date-online-multiplayer-reveal|title=Spelunky 2 Is Out in September With Online Multiplayer|first=Eric|last=Van Allen|work=USgamer|date=August 6, 2020|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925123028/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/spelunky-2-release-date-online-multiplayer-reveal|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/08/06/spelunky-2-launches-on-september-15/|title=Spelunky 2 launches on September 15|first=Mike|last=Minotti|work=VentureBeat|date=August 6, 2020|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924085809/https://venturebeat.com/2020/08/06/spelunky-2-launches-on-september-15/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Plot== The game's story concerns Ana Spelunky, the daughter of previous ''Spelunky'' protagonist Guy Spelunky, as she ventures to the Moon to find her missing parents. Like the first game, the story and aesthetics draw inspiration from several ancient cultures, featuring mythological figures like Olmec, Kali, Osiris, Lamassu, Tiamat, and Hundun.
==Development== Derek Yu, the creator of the first game, returned to develop the sequel. He partnered with BlitWorks, the developer of the PlayStation ports of the first game, for the game's programming. Yu needed to outsource the game's development to BlitWorks because of the sequel's larger scope. Yu intentionally ensured that the game would not be radically different from the first ''Spelunky'' as he felt that sequels should be "extensions of the previous games", and that fans of the first game would feel like they are playing a "continuation". New features were added to the game, while the original gameplay loop was refined and remixed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shuman |first=Sid |date=August 28, 2019 |title=First Look: Spelunky 2 Gameplay, Mossmouth Interview |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2018/08/29/first-look-spelunky-2-gameplay-mossmouth-interview/ |accessdate=September 14, 2020 |work=PlayStation Blog |archive-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907084554/https://blog.playstation.com/2018/08/29/first-look-spelunky-2-gameplay-mossmouth-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Yu strived to create a game world that feels like a "living, breathing place" in order to keep new players engaged. To achieve this, he added a lot of lore and backstory for the world and the characters. The story, which focuses on the themes of family and kinship, is mostly delivered through journal articles in the game's world and the Base Camp where Ana can interact with the characters she has encountered during her adventure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/spelunky-2-is-so-ambitious-that-even-derek-yu-doesnt-know-what-players-will-find-in-its-darkest-depths/|title=Spelunky 2 is so ambitious that even Derek Yu doesn't know what you'll find in its darkest depths|first=Alex|last=Avard|work=GamesRadar|date=September 12, 2020|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921171845/https://www.gamesradar.com/spelunky-2-is-so-ambitious-that-even-derek-yu-doesnt-know-what-players-will-find-in-its-darkest-depths/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/08/14/spelunky-2-aiming-for-pc-release-in-october/|title=Spelunky 2 aiming for PC release in October|first=Lauren|last=Morten|website=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=August 14, 2020|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922173839/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/08/14/spelunky-2-aiming-for-pc-release-in-october/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced the game at Paris Games Week in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-10-30-sony-just-announced-spelunky-2|title=Sony just announced Spelunky 2|first=Christian|last=Donlan|work=Eurogamer|date=October 30, 2017|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112020300/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-10-30-sony-just-announced-spelunky-2|url-status=live}}</ref> Initially set to be released in 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/113403/spelunky-2-steps-on-a-trap-delayed-to-2020|title=Spelunky 2 steps on a trap, delayed to 2020|first=Ozzie|last=Meija|work=Shacknews|date=August 14, 2019|accessdate=September 14, 2020|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920055439/https://www.shacknews.com/article/113403/spelunky-2-steps-on-a-trap-delayed-to-2020|url-status=live}}</ref> the game was released for PlayStation 4<ref name="release date"/> and Windows in September 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/spelunky-2/release-date|title=Spelunky 2's Steam release date has been revealed|work=PCGamesN|date=September 4, 2020|accessdate=September 14, 2020|first=Oscar|last=Dayus|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918064618/https://www.pcgamesn.com/spelunky-2/release-date|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was also released for Nintendo Switch<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/spelunky-and-spelunky-2-release-on-switch-next-year/1100-6485544/|title=Spelunky And Spelunky 2 Release On Switch Next Year|last=Ramée|first=Jordan|date=December 15, 2020|website=GameSpot|accessdate=December 15, 2020|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107174108/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/spelunky-and-spelunky-2-release-on-switch-next-year/1100-6485544/|url-status=live}}</ref> on August 26, 2021, along with the first ''Spelunky'' game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2021-08-12 |title=Spelunky and Spelunky 2 for Switch launch August 26 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/08/spelunky-and-spelunky-2-for-switch-launch-august-26 |access-date=2021-08-12 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812134819/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/08/spelunky-and-spelunky-2-for-switch-launch-august-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> A version for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S was released on January 13, 2022, and also available as part of Xbox Game Pass.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=January 4, 2022 |title=Xbox Game Pass adds The Pedestrian, Outer Wilds, Spelunky 2, and more in early January |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/01/xbox-game-pass-adds-the-pedestrian-outer-wilds-spelunky-2-and-more-in-early-january |website=Gematsu |access-date=January 4, 2022 |archive-date=January 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104143304/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/01/xbox-game-pass-adds-the-pedestrian-outer-wilds-spelunky-2-and-more-in-early-january |url-status=live }}</ref> It was announced and released on the PlayStation 5 on March 6, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Myers |first=Maddy |date=2025-03-07 |title=Spelunky 2 got shadow-dropped on PS5, now runs at 120 fps |url=https://www.polygon.com/news/535865/spelunky-2-ps5-ps4-upgrade-120-fps |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Reception== {{video game reviews | MC = PS4: 87/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/spelunky-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Spelunky 2 for PlayStation 4 Reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=February 23, 2021}}</ref><br /> PC: 91/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/spelunky-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Spelunky 2 for PC Reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=February 23, 2021|archive-date=April 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420045418/https://www.metacritic.com/game/spelunky-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|url-status=live}}</ref><br /> NS: 92/100<ref name="MCNS">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/spelunky-2/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Spelunky 2 for Switch Reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=February 23, 2021|archive-date=January 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127195542/https://www.metacritic.com/game/spelunky-2/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|url-status=live}}</ref> | IGN = 10/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saltzman |first1=Mitchell |title=Spelunky 2 Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/spelunky-2-review |website=IGN |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103042007/https://www.ign.com/articles/spelunky-2-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | PCGUS = 87/100<ref>{{cite web |last1=Prescott |first1=Shaun |title=Spelunky 2 Review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/spelunky-2-review/ |website=PC Gamer |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=15 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115152515/https://www.pcgamer.com/spelunky-2-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | NLife = {{Rating|9|10}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vogel |first=Mitch |date=12 September 2021 |title=Spelunky 2 Review (Switch eShop) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/spelunky_2 |access-date=12 September 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912175334/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/spelunky_2 |url-status=live }}</ref> | NWR = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ronaghan |first1=Neal |title=Spelunky 2 (Switch) Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/58174/spelunky-2-switch-review |website=Nintendo World Report |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912175333/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/58174/spelunky-2-switch-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | EuroG = Essential<ref>{{cite web |last1=Donlan |first1=Christian |title=Spelunky 2 review |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-14-spelunky-2-review-the-depths-beckon |website=Eurogamer |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=30 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830084901/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-14-spelunky-2-review-the-depths-beckon |url-status=live }}</ref> | TG = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=12 September 2021 |title=Spelunky 2 review – run, jump and die hilariously |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/sep/14/spelunky-2-review-run-jump-and-die-hilariously |access-date=12 September 2021 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> | GSpot = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Andrew |title=Spelunky 2 Review – Snakes On A 2D Plane |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/spelunky-2-review-snakes-on-a-2d-plane/1900-6417567/ |website=GameSpot |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812025252/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/spelunky-2-review-snakes-on-a-2d-plane/1900-6417567/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | USG = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Matthew |title=Spelunky 2 Review: Whip it Good |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/spelunky-2-review |website=USgamer |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020035209/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/spelunky-2-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | PSQ = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tailby |first=Stephen |date=12 September 2021 |title=Spelunky 2 Review (PS4) |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/spelunky_2 |access-date=12 September 2021 |website=Push Square |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912175333/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/spelunky_2 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Destruct = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carter |first1=Chris |title=Review: Spelunky 2 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-spelunky-2/ |website=Destructoid |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912175337/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-spelunky-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | PCGN = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Ian |title=Spelunky 2 PC review – more of a good thing |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/spelunky-2/pc-review |website=PCGamesN |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912175335/https://www.pcgamesn.com/spelunky-2/pc-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | SN = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mejia |first1=Ozzie |title=Spelunky 2 review: More dangerous than ever to go alone |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/120319/spelunky-2-review-more-dangerous-than-ever-to-go-alone |website=Shacknews |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021 |archive-date=17 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017103922/https://www.shacknews.com/article/120319/spelunky-2-review-more-dangerous-than-ever-to-go-alone |url-status=live }}</ref> | GI = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Shea |first1=Brian |title=Spelunky 2 Review – Enthralling Entropy |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/spelunky-2/spelunky-2-review-enthralling-entropy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917045817/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/spelunky-2/spelunky-2-review-enthralling-entropy |url-status=live |archive-date=September 17, 2020 |magazine=Game Informer |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref> | EGM = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Goroff |first=Michael |date=12 September 2021 |title=Spelunky 2 review |url=https://egmnow.com/spelunky-2-review/ |access-date=12 September 2021 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912175335/https://egmnow.com/spelunky-2-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> }}
The game received generally favorable reviews when it was released, according to review aggregator Metacritic, with an average score of 87.<ref name="MCPS4" /> The PC version received universal acclaim, with an average score of 91.<ref name="MCPC"/> Writing for ''The A.V. Club'', William Hughes praised how the game embraced the success of the original game and seamlessly incorporated new features such as the turkey mounting system.<ref name="avc">{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/spelunky-2-has-the-courage-not-to-mess-with-perfection-1845072823 |title=''Spelunky 2'' Has the Courage Not to Mess with Perfection |last=Hughes |first=William |date=September 18, 2020 |access-date=September 18, 2020 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-US |archive-date=September 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920163428/https://games.avclub.com/spelunky-2-has-the-courage-not-to-mess-with-perfection-1845072823 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chris Plante, in his review for ''Polygon'', praised the game as an improvement on its predecessor and said "everything is just a little different, another stroke that proves perfection is imperfect".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/9/14/21432681/spelunky-2-review-ps4-pc-steam|title=Spelunky 2 review: perfection|last=Plante|first=Chris|website=Polygon|date=14 September 2020|accessdate=November 10, 2020|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109144821/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/9/14/21432681/spelunky-2-review-ps4-pc-steam|url-status=live}}</ref> Mitchell Saltzman of ''IGN'' called the game "a masterpiece that improves upon its predecessor in ways I never even would have imagined".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/spelunky-2-review|title=Spelunky 2 Review|last=Saltzman|first=Mitchell|website=IGN|date=14 September 2020|accessdate=November 10, 2020|archive-date=3 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103042007/https://www.ign.com/articles/spelunky-2-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
It was nominated for Best Indie at The Game Awards 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2020/12/11/heres-the-game-awards-2020-winner-list-with-a-near-total-last-of-us-sweep/ |title=Here's The Game Awards 2020 Winners List With A Near-Total 'Last Of Us' Sweep |work=Forbes |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=December 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211123633/https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2020/12/11/heres-the-game-awards-2020-winner-list-with-a-near-total-last-of-us-sweep/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{clear}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:2020 video games Category:Sequel video games Category:Video games developed in Spain Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Roguelike video games Category:Indie games Category:Video games using procedural generation Category:Windows games Category:PlayStation 4 games Category:Video games set on the Moon Category:Video games featuring female protagonists Category:Platformers Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Xbox One games Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games Category:Video games designed by Derek Yu Category:BlitWorks games Category:PlayStation 5 games