Some sequels reinvent the wheel, while others recognize that their biggest strength is simply giving players more of what already worked. Heave Ho 2 firmly belongs to the latter category, expanding on the wonderfully chaotic multiplayer platforming that made the original such an unexpected hit. The premise remains delightfully ridiculous, asking players to guide limbless blobs armed with nothing but two oversized arms through increasingly absurd obstacle courses. This time around the emphasis is placed almost entirely on cooperative play, with online multiplayer joining local couch co-op to ensure there’s almost always a way to rope friends into the madness. It’s a bold shift that strengthens the game’s identity, even if it comes at the expense of those who enjoyed tackling the original solo.
The controls are intentionally straightforward, yet they quickly reveal surprising depth. Each trigger controls one hand, while the analog stick dictates your body’s movement, making every successful swing, grab and leap feel earned. Early stages teach the fundamentals with ease, but before long the game demands careful communication, clever timing and complete trust in your teammates. Levels constantly introduce fresh twists, ranging from environmental puzzles and moving machinery to drones, ziplines, strange gadgets and physics-based contraptions that require genuine teamwork to overcome. Even after dozens of stages, the mechanics continue to evolve in inventive ways, rewarding experimentation rather than relying on repeated ideas.
Of course, the true star isn’t the platforming itself but the wonderfully unpredictable moments that emerge between players. Perfectly coordinated plans can collapse in seconds when someone grabs the wrong object, lets go of the wrong hand or accidentally launches the entire team into a bottomless pit. Those failures rarely feel frustrating because they’re usually accompanied by laughter instead. The generous checkpointing and quick recoveries keep the pace brisk, while optional collectibles and alternate routes encourage revisiting completed stages. Although the campaign isn’t especially lengthy, there’s enough variety across its themed worlds to keep each session feeling fresh, especially with three or four players sharing the experience.
That said, not every design decision lands equally well. The complete removal of single-player support feels like a genuine omission, particularly because the original demonstrated how enjoyable the core mechanics could be without relying on a group. Requiring at least two players means a portion of the audience is effectively locked out, regardless of how polished the cooperative experience may be. The competitive versus modes also struggle to match the brilliance of the campaign. While they provide a fun diversion between co-op sessions, the deliberately clumsy movement and unpredictable physics can make victories feel dictated more by fortunate accidents than skill, making these modes feel secondary rather than essential.
On the Switch and Switch 2, Heave Ho 2 delivers the kind of smooth technical performance this style of game demands. Precision platforming built around momentum and physics leaves little room for inconsistent performance, and thankfully the game remains responsive throughout. Its colorful cartoon presentation is simple but expressive, with lively environments, exaggerated animations and readable visual design ensuring that even the busiest multiplayer moments remain easy to follow. Likewise, the cheerful soundtrack and collection of exaggerated screams, grunts and comedic sound effects perfectly reinforce the light-hearted tone, making every spectacular failure just as entertaining as every success.
Heave Ho 2 understands exactly what kind of game it wants to be. Rather than overcomplicating its formula, it refines it with more imaginative levels, online functionality and a constant stream of memorable cooperative moments. We would have welcomed the return of a proper solo mode, and the versus component never quite reaches the same highs as the campaign itself, but neither issue overshadows what is otherwise one of the most entertaining multiplayer party games currently available. If you regularly game with friends, few titles deliver this much laughter, communication and controlled chaos for such an accessible price.
Score: 8.7/10