Over thirty years after its release on the NES, Sunsoft’s game gets an unnecessary sequel.
Ufouria: The Saga 2
Platform: PC, also on PlayStation 5, Switch, and Xbox Series S/X
Developer: SUNSOFT
Publisher: SUNSOFT
Release date: February 28th, 2024
Price: $24.99
Availability: Steam
Sony and Microsoft have started to release some of their exclusive games on PCs recently. But aside from a few spin-offs for mobile devices, Nintendo has a reputation for fiercely guarding its intellectual property. As a result, there is a glaring lack of action games with strong character development and refinement. While some independent games, such as Penny’s Big Breakaway and New Super Lucky’s Tale, manage to capture some of that distinct Nintendo charm, I have yet to find a platformer that can hold its own against a Kirby game.
Ufouria: The Saga 2 almost perfectly emulates the visual charm of a Nintendo first-party game, with a style that calls to mind both Kirby’s Epic Yarn and Yoshi’s Wooly World. Here, the skies resemble fluffy cotton balls, while the trees appear to be made of layers of felt. Little buttons seem to be used to create dialog boxes and the pyrotechnics that follow a boss encounter. All of it is quite adorable and stands in stark contrast to a lot of the industry’s product.
Hebereke: A Place Where Each Series Entry Is Unique
Similar to Ufouria, a 1991 NES/Famicom predecessor, the title’s numerical pun denotes the ability to switch between four playable characters. This time, however, there is no need to go to a menu—instead, the changeover is made by a furious tag between heroes. Naturally, each has unique skills that let you discover new areas.
However, Ufouria 2’s acting isn’t exactly as accomplished as it appears. You can summon and fling Popoons, which resemble gacha balls, offensively. However, they are not very enjoyable to use because to their limited throwing range, slow cooldown meter, and the fact that they can only stun adversaries. It doesn’t get much better to butt on opponents. You will lose one of your health pips if you do not land on adversaries with perfect accuracy. Furthermore, it’s always clear when to switch characters, which ruins any enjoyment light solving may provide.
As Brief as It Is Adorable
The sequel to Ufouria takes a more linear approach, since the first game was a metroidvania with a grid map screen. You spend the first half of the campaign gathering up your supporters and winning their support by making purchases from vending machines. You’ll gather abilities in the second part of the game that enable you to go around the barriers in the game’s setting. It’s a really short game, taking about five hours to complete.
There’s hardly much possibility of getting lost, for better or worse. Zones extend from your hub-area residence onto primarily level areas. Yes, there is some rudimentary gatekeeping; to pass across areas marked by water, ice, or lava, you must possess a certain skill. The randomized aspect of the game’s level design is its most notable feature. Every time you go back there, the surroundings will change a little. However, these zones fall short of the allure of places created by a human designer, as is the case with most cases of procedural generation.
In summary
If you can look past Ufouria: The Saga 2’s enticing “arts and crafts”-inspired graphics, the game is sadly unremarkable. The game’s dialogue, combat, and exploration are all merely passable; they hardly ever provide the same level of enjoyment as games like Ufouria 2. After 33 years of development, Sunsoft’s sequel is sadly unnecessary.
On a PC, Ufouria: The Saga 2 was played using a review code that the publisher sent.
Review Overview
Gameplay – 60%
Controls – 50%
Aesthetics – 80%
Content – 70%
Accessibility – 75%
Value – 50%
64%
DISAPPOINTING
Summary : The benefit? The graphics in Ufouria: The Saga 2 are quite appealing, and the game isn’t called “U4ria 2.” However, Sunsoft’s action platformer is incredibly boring in every other way.
