The original Unravel game was released two years ago, and many people wondered whether they would ever see a sequel to the colorful puzzle-platformer. EA and Coldwood Interactive did the expected and announced a sequel to the game, but then surprised everyone by announcing that it was already available for download. I quickly downloaded the game and started my journey with not just one Yarny, but two.
| Release Date | June 9, 2018 |
| Genre | Puzzle/Platformer |
| Platforms | PC/PS4/XBO |
| Developer | Coldwood Interactive |
| Price | $19.99 US |
| ESRB Rating | Everyone |
| Players | 1-2 |
Double The Yarny
If you’ve played Unravel, you’ll instantly realize that the main difference between that game and Unravel Two is that there is now a second Yarny present at all times. Both Yarnys are tethered together and have to work together to complete levels. This doesn’t mean you have to have a second player with you to play through the Story Mode, but it is possible with the addition of local co-op. Sadly, there is no online co-op in this one. You can play the entire Story Mode alone without much trouble, which is refreshing. There are a few sections that are easier with two people, but nothing too challenging. The game gives you the ability to create one Yarny out of the two characters so that you’re not constantly worrying about controlling both of them. It’s a great mechanic and one I couldn’t imagine playing the game without. It’s even valuable for 2-player games at times, especially if only one player wants to attempt a platforming section.
Gameplay
Abilities
Yarny’s abilities have carried over from the original game. He can swing, rappel, slide on walls, jump from wall to wall, climb, and lasso objects. The two Yarnys can now even create bridges, trampolines, and pulleys. The second Yarny adds a lot of depth to the game because you can use it as an anchor point for the other one. If one Yarney makes a jump and the other misses, you can climb the yarn to the other character instead of doing the whole platforming section again. You can also swing down from the other Yarny to get across gaps. It’s cool to see such emphasis on teamwork and to see it used in such a realistic way.
Co-op vs. Solo
When I played the game solo, it felt like a bit more of a calculated experience where I had to plan out each move with each Yarny, and it slowed me down slightly. In co-op, things happen faster because you have two minds trying to reach a goal with the same set of tools. Players must communicate with each other to get through the level in the most efficient way possible. One wrong move could set you back a lot or get your character killed. It takes a while to get used to having a second player, but once you get in sync with each other, Unravel Two becomes one of the best co-op experiences I’ve had in a long time.
Puzzles
The puzzles can become pretty difficult and require you to think outside the box. A lot of puzzles require you to loop the yarn around objects to create new anchor points. This sounds like it would tangle you up, and sometimes it does, but never in a way that you can’t get out of it. You have to constantly plan for what you’re going to do. Puzzles often need to be completed in sequence to progress to the next area. The great thing is that even if you get stuck, a robust hint system is waiting to help you out with a simple button press.
Platforming
Platforming feels responsive in Unravel Two. There was never a moment when I felt like I wasn’t in control of my success or failure. That’s a good thing, as this game has many sections that require a great deal of precision. There are even some sequences that force you to try and fail to figure out how to proceed despite your reaction. Levels are well-crafted and look beautiful. It almost feels as if the developers plopped a video game character inside a real-life background at specific points.
Story/Challenges
The main story mode consists of 7 levels, each lasting 20-30 minutes, taking Yarny through a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. In the background of these levels are ghostly figures of two teenagers in recreations of past events, as far as I can gather. It seems that Yarny is retracing the steps of a couple of teenagers who escape from a foster home to go on a dangerous adventure. It’s not nearly as emotional as what I know about the first game. There are also 20 challenge levels included, and each one has a rating of 1-3 difficulty spikes. Some of these are incredibly difficult to finish, and many of them are much easier with a second player. Completing these challenges scores you some new customization options for your Yarny character.
Conclusion
Unravel Two was a good sequel to an already great game. I had a lot of fun going through the story mode, both alone and with another person, even though there wasn’t much of a story to tell. This game is still a fantastic puzzle-platformer, and I’d recommend it to everyone.
