Beholgar 2 Review

As a kid, I adored every Mega Drive gaming moment. Therefore, whenever I get the chance to tackle anything with a retro edge, I jump at the chance. Despite my Metroidvania reservations, I couldn’t resist picking up Beholgar 2. This sequel isn’t as punishing as its predecessor, as it takes a more linear and “Metroidvania-lite” experience.

Redro games has developed this old-school-inspired action Metroidvania. It is a single-player game with a dark and sinister aesthetic. Furthermore, unlike modern genre peers, this has a more linear and refined edge. This may not appeal to hardcore lovers of these games, but I enjoyed the lack of complexity and the other challenges that I faced. The almost “Souls-like” enemy respawning, and the brutal guaranteed death were enough to drive me insane. However, I couldn’t put it down.

Beholgar 2 tells a fabulous story.

Beholgar 2 doesn’t deliver a deep or complex story. Instead, it focuses on classic old-school tropes that simply work. You play the role of a huge, muscle-bound barbarian who is tasked with saving the day. The otherworldly Djinn King awakens and threatens to plunge the world into darkness. Sadly, normal weaponry will not slay the beast, so the barbarian must explore claustrophobic caves as he searches for a legendary blade to slaughter the king.

The story is dramatic, but it plays second fiddle to the interesting and captivating gameplay. The platforming elements and core traversal mechanics utilise a standard genre approach. The hero is armed with basic skills, but as he explores the world, he learns new abilities that help him to overcome obstacles. I liked the basic design, and the use of air-dashing and double-jumping felt familiar without being overly punishing. The result is fun exploration that guides you to each boss.

Fighting and the bosses.

Fighting is a key component that will test your reactions and patience. There are plenty of different monsters to tackle, and new and harder opponents appear as you explore different biomes. Alongside this, there are bosses to mark the end of each key location. Unlike its predecessor, Beholgar 2 has upped the ante with its massive bosses that deliver challenging but fair encounters. The original was a horrible mess of unavoidable projectiles. Thankfully, this has improved things with clear attack patterns and cleaner graphics. Consequently, each battle is tough but fair.

This offers a minor layer of permanent progression through resource gathering and the discovery of secrets. With an increase in health and weapon power, the hero gradually becomes more powerful. Furthermore, there are different weapons to find. Whether it is your arsenal of secondary tools or your primary spear, hatchet, or sword, there are plenty of deadly items at your disposal.

Beholgar 2 optimises 90s aesthetics.

Everything about Beholgar 2 will remind you of the early 90s. The pixelated visuals, strong colour palette, and simple animation are a glorious nod to one of the best gaming eras. Furthermore, the monsters are simple but varied, and the bosses are grim to look at. The result is an eye-catching game that captures your imagination. Things go up a gear with the hard-hitting and dramatic soundtrack. There are sinister tones and OTT sound effects to complete the retro aesthetic.

The controls are a little hit and miss. Sadly, the aerial combat is a little floaty, and this was frustrating. Furthermore, each weapon has unique characteristics to test your resolve. However, once you get your head around the finer points, you’ll enjoy the clean and easy-to-understand controls. Replay value is sadly limited. Despite the large map, I got through this in around 8 hours. I admit that I didn’t explore the map completely, but I faced every boss and felt no need to return for more.

Beholgar 2 is a great sequel.

I know that a 90s-inspired game will not appeal to everyone. It could be considered clunky, and the sharp colours and grim design may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Yet, if you love retro gaming or you’re over 40, Beholgar 2 will offer a sense of nostalgia. I love the story, gameplay, and linear design. However, I appreciate that it isn’t long enough, and it potentially lacks depth when compared to its peers. Despite these complaints, I love it and recommend grabbing a copy from the Xbox store!