Microids and OSome Studio are launching The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone, a 3D platformer that invites players to embark on a colorful adventure with those lovable blue characters. The first game was a surprisingly good game when it launched, and this installment introduces an unexpected twist as Handy Smurf teams up with their longtime adversary, Gargamel, to retrieve the scattered fragments of the powerful Green Stone. This unlikely alliance sets off a chain of events, ultimately releasing the formidable Stolas, and it’s up to the Smurfs to save the day. We did so on a PlayStation 5.
The gameplay centers around the versatile SmurfoMix device, which facilitates combat, platforming, and puzzle-solving. The controls are accessible and intuitive, ensuring players of all ages can play this one with relative ease. However, while the game introduces different ammo types for the SmurfoMix, all of these tricks are introduced early on in the adventure, leading to a relative lack of variety and new mechanics in later stages.
Challenges are peppered throughout the realms, encouraging players to revisit earlier areas once the SmurfoMix is fully powered. Collecting resources to upgrade the Smurfomix becomes crucial for facing tougher opponents and overcoming obstacles as well, so it’s worth it to spend time on that. However, the level design feels somewhat lackluster, with linear paths and limited opportunities for exploration – taking some of the reward out of looking for things to discover.
Visually, The Smurfs 2 presents another faithful rendition of the Smurfs’ world, bursting with vibrant colors. The character models are well-crafted, capturing the essence of the beloved characters. However, some textures lack refinement, and environments could benefit from more depth and detail. The first game looked good, but we had wished that the time in between would have resulted in a push for even better visuals in the sequel.
In terms of audio, the game’s soundtrack provides a pleasant backdrop but doesn’t stand out significantly. The repetitive sound bites and overuse of Smurf language can even become grating over time – though fans will be much more forgiving while playing this. One of the game’s strengths lies in its accessible controls, ensuring younger players can engage with relative ease.
While The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone delivers a faithful Smurfs experience, it struggles to break new ground in terms of gameplay mechanics. The lack of variety in level design and limited exploration opportunities may leave players craving more depth. Nevertheless, for fans of the Smurfs franchise, this adventure still holds nostalgic charm as this one offers a fun romp through the Smurfs universe. The vibrant art style and accessible controls contribute to its appeal, but if the first game didn’t win you over then this won’t change your mind either.
Score: 6.8/10
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