World of Goo 2

You're wrapped up in a quirky world of giggling goo balls, tasked with building wobbly structures to overcome one clever challenge after another. Sound familiar? That's right, the long-awaited World of Goo 2 is finally here, and it's everything fans could have hoped for and more.

This sequel doesn't reinvent the wheel — it sticks to the core premise that made the original a runaway hit. Using those lovable goo balls, you'll construct towering (or drooping) creations to bypass obstacles and reach each level's goal. But don't let the cutesy visuals and silly premise fool you — World of Goo 2 will twist your brain into a pretzel with its fiendishly designed puzzles.

The Ooey Gooey Details

Right off the bat, you're introduced to a brilliant new gameplay twist with new types of Goo. These sticky fellows can latch onto terrain, opening up all kinds of possibilities. Combined with the new Goo Cannons for extra launching power, you've got an entirely fresh sandbox to flex your problem-solving prowess.

And don't even get me started on the mind-blowingly realistic physics simulation under the hood. Every sagging structure and oozing pour of liquid goo feels utterly believable, making your creations feel alive in a way few puzzlers can match. It's a mechanic that could've easily felt gimmicky but instead becomes integral to the entire experience.

A Brilliant Recreation of a Cult Classic

In case the nostalgia hasn't kicked in yet, World of Goo 2 is brimming with the series' signature charm and personality. The hand-drawn art style is an absolute delight, with each googly-eyed creation and environment brimming with character and whimsy. The silly writing and music had me giggling away, providing the perfect soundtrack for all that brain-bending action.

While the levels start simple to ease you in, they quickly ramp up in creative complexity. Easy gas early wins give way to mind-melting hurdles that'll have you rethinking every preconceived notion of structural integrity. It's tough but immensely rewarding when you finally conquer each puzzle Eureka moment.

Compared to other quirky physics puzzlers like Cut the Rope or Bridge Constructor, World of Goo 2 stands out with its strong personality and endearing world. Sure, it doesn't venture too far from the blueprint established by the 2008 original. But when the foundation is this solid, who needs an overhaul? This is an exceptional second helping in a series that never lost its delectable flavor.

New and Old

Blending the classic with the innovative, World of Goo 2 feels like a refreshingly retro modern classic. If anything, the game is proof that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to create a timeless classic. Sometimes, you just need to give players exactly what they want.

Rating: 9.5/10

In this case, what they want is more puzzles featuring adorable gooey creatures and shoddy bridges that could fall at any second. What’s there not to love?

Pros

• Adorably charming world and characters
• Challenging, creative puzzles that make you think outside the box
• Realistic physics sim brings every structure to life

Cons

• Some obtuse solutions make certain late-game levels frustratingly difficult