Peggle 2 continues a simple storyline from the original release that finds players entering the Peggle Institute once again to prove their skills in shooting balls at colored pegs while listening to some great themes. Bjorn the Unicorn returns to teach players how to properly play the game, and the character is the only that returns from the roster featured in the classic release. Peggle 2 features 60 new stages that challenge players to clear as many pegs off the screen as possible while activating powerups and hitting bonus pegs to attain the highest scores possible. Complete all of the stages in the game, and players will finally receive a diploma from the university and be considered among the rank of Peggle Masters.
The new game comes with a new cast of characters, but in its current form, Peggle 2 only features a small cast of five characters. Bjorn and his Super Guide powerup returns as one of the game's default cast, so there are only four new characters in total for the new release. Jeffrey is a new character that can shoot a large Bowlder to clear out all pegs in its path and is similar to the dragon fireball special shot in the original Peggle. The other three characters in the game have totally unique special shots for the series and includes Berg the yeti's Deep Freeze that freezes pegs on the screen and allows the ball to easily slide around and hit additional pegs, Gnorman the robot's Uber Volt that shocks nearby pegs with electricity with each collision and Luna the zombie's Nightshade that makes blue pegs transparent to easily hit hidden pegs of different colors while still picking up the blue pegs the ball travels through. The new roster is small compared to the original cast of characters, but the roster may grow with incoming DLC in the future of Peggle 2 for better or worse depending on how much money you have in your wallet.
Peggle has always been about clearing out all of the orange pegs in a stage to complete each level while hitting green special shot pegs and purple pegs for bonus points, but Peggle 2 adds additional in-game challenges to strive for and obtain additional unlockables. There are three different challenges for each stage, and objectives can range from clearing all of the pegs on a stage to performing a very difficult skill shot during a match. Completing each challenge can unlock additional costumes for each of cast members, but other costumes are easier to unlock just by completing levels in each Peggle Master's section of stages. Challenges are a subtle touch that makes an already addictive game even more enjoyable as a single player experience.
The other unlock that occurs when completing a Peggle Master's set of levels is the new Trial levels. These special levels range in difficulty from the simple but fun challenges that require the player to clear nearly a whole stage of orange pegs or pulling off trick shots in succession to the very difficult trials that include clearing many orange pegs off of a stage with only one ball remaining. The new trials can be some of the most entertaining single player experiences, but other Trial stages are simply frustrating to complete. Anyone that played the original release will know what to expect from these special challenge stages that are all but impossible to complete for the majority of players. Luckily, completing these stages isn't required to progress in the game's campaign, and it also helps ensure there is always some goal remaining to complete in Peggle 2.
Peg Party multiplayer mode is back in Peggle 2 for players to continue enjoying this addictive title online with other players. The game mode comes with plenty of variants including time allowed to perform a shot to how many balls a player begins a stage with. The goal of the mode is to score as many points as allowed with available balls, and up to four players can join in the game mode with duplicate maps for each characters. Online play is tons of fun in Peggle 2, and some replays are available to see how players reached such high totals and to see how many times the same player can be ludicrously accused of cheating. Local multiplayer is left out of the Peg Party game mode unfortunately, and longtime players looking for the Duel multiplayer mode from the original game will be letdown as well.
News pegs will change the way players experience Peggle 2. Round, curved and four sided pegs are all still included in the new release, but other new pegs have been added to the game as well including invulnerable pegs or metal pegs that take two hits to destroy. The new pegs drastically change the way players will experience the game, and they help balance the game against the powerful new special shots that seem a bit overpowered when playing the new title for the first time. Powerups such as the bowlder become even more important in stages where annoying pegs that are difficult to clear out are plentiful, so the new content definitely makes players carefully choose which Peggle Master needs to be used for certain stages.
The cute new artistic design of Peggle 2 is comparable to other games such as Candy Crush Saga but without the need to purchase any additional content to enjoy the game beyond the $11.99 to download the game. The music featured in the game has been improved. Completing a game with Bjorn still bombards the player with the spectacular "Ode to Joy," but other characters each have their own unique theme songs for completing stages. The music during stages also changes to make the gameplay during matches more exciting as well. One annoying feature included in Peggle 2 automatically records in-game clips of good shots made by players, and it doesn't take long for Upload Studio to become overran with clips players never intended to record in the first place.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Peggle 2 makes some simple but incredibly effective improvements over one of the most addictive downloadable title from the last console generation of gaming. The new release is the perfect example of a must download and own title for early adopters of the Xbox One. The small cast of characters is a bummer, but it may be boosted by DLC later, much like the Peggle Nights expansion did for the original game. Other than a few other minor annoyances, Peggle 2 is an excellent game that is colorful and happy and gives players a nice break from tension filled first-person shooter games and other fun but stressful games available on Xbox One. Players that download Peggle 2 for Xbox One won't be disappointed but will instead find themselves just as excited to play the new game as a highly popular .gif that helped announce the game last Summer. Buy Peggle 2 with confidence today!
Peggle 2 is now available exclusively for Xbox One and can be purchased for $11.99. Peggle 2 is rated E by the ESRB. For more information on the game, check out the official Peggle 2 website.
Game Features:
- Online Multiplayer 1-4
- 5 Peggle Masters
- 60 Standard Stages Plus 60 Trial Stages
- Test Peggle Prowess with Challenges
- Achievement Support
Game Information:
Developer: Popcap Games
Publisher: EA
Available exclusively for Xbox One (reviewed)
Release Date: December 9, 2013
- Cute artistic design
- Improved music
- Immersive new game modes
- Must purchase additional content to enjoy game fully
- Frustrating trial stages