My bad. I didn’t mean to do that.
I played a very little bit of the first Magicka. I liked what I played, and the support for the game after launch was very well done. In the end, I just never found myself playing it too much. Now, with Magicka 2, I was able to dig in a bit deeper, this time on the PS4 using a controller. Let’s see how complicated this can get.
Magicka 2 has players controlling wizards in an isometric view. Each face button represents an element. Holding L1 will alternate another set of elements with the face buttons. Hitting a button will queue up that element. Players can have up to five elements queued up at a time. Depending on the bumpers and triggers used, the elements can be used for an area of effect attack, a self use effect, imbibe the elements to my sword, or use the right stick to fire off the elements in laser or spray form. Finding the right combinations can result in some pretty powerful attacks that can light up a screen full of enemies. Some that are found and unlocked can then be mapped to the d-pad for quick use.
MSRP: $19.99
Price I’d pay: $15
Platforms: PS4, PC
Multiplayer: 2-4 player co-op
Crossing the streams.
While it is complex in nature, it controls rather well on the controller. Knowing which elements do what, and what combinations to use in a given situation are crucial for survival. The game features full four player co-op which is really how Magicka 2 is meant to be played. Playing with my friends made the fights and encounters much easier, and way more hectic. Friendly fire is on, and accidentally shocking my partners to death is both hilarious and frustrating at the same time. I can’t stress it enough; playing with others is the way to play this game. Playing solo will quickly revolve around getting stuck on encounters, dying twice and having to start back at the last checkpoint. Having others with me allowed for a bit of strategy with the bosses and other enemies in the game.
Magicka 2 still has the humorous effect to it. The dialog and ridiculous way it is presented is still funny to hear and see. That combined with the constant “Whoops. I didn’t mean to chain lightning you guys to death” always made for a rather fun time.
Seriously. Play with friends.
Playing solo is not recommended. At all. The game is far too difficult even on the easiest setting, and some encounters are almost impossible to do alone. On top of the mechanics being a bit too unwieldy at times, it’s good to have some people to distract the enemies’ barrage for a few seconds so I could get my bearings.
Along with new gear to try out in the form of robes, swords, and staves, players will unlock new difficulty modifiers to use in an already difficult game. It really means something when the hardest difficulty is called “Bananas.” Some challenge maps add more to the game as well, so there’s a good amount to see and do in Magicka 2.
You get a decent game to play with your friends for 20 bucks. Still, I think the sweet spot for this game is more the $15 range. If you’re looking to play this solo, you may want to find a different game to play. This will frustrate you to no ends playing solo, but with a couple of friends, it can be a rather fun game to play. The humor works, and even when the controls and element mapping can be a little too complex for its own good, it can be looked past when you have a few people with you trying to make it along. Magicka 2 takes some getting used to and even after getting used to it, it can still be unwieldy at times. Playing co-op is the way to go, and can even be rather fun that way. Just keep in mind, it can get frustrating and downright mean playing solo.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
