Skullgirls: 2nd Encore (PS4) Review

Skullgirls is back and better than ever.

Back in April of 2012, I reviewed the then new fighting game Skullgirls. I enjoyed it quite a bit, and felt that is was a very competent fighting game with interesting and thought out mechanics. Granted, since reviewing the game I fell off playing it much, so I wasn’t able to experience the additions through DLC. Now, the PS4 gets the newest updated version in the form of Skullgirls: 2nd Encore, and it turns out to be the best version of the game to date.

I’m going to post my review of the original game right here, because it does a decent job of explaining the mechanics of the game well. Check it out here. Now, on to what is new with 2nd Encore. The first big thing players will see are the new additional characters. Now, people that have kept up with Skullgirls over the years will know many of these characters, but for players that haven’t seen the game since 2012 this will be all new territory. New additions like Robo-Fortune, Beowulf, Big Band, and Squigly make up a roster of both new and old, adding up to 14 characters in all. And while some of them may play similarly in a few ways, there is a style for everyone in this game.

skullgirls2ndencore_18

Platforms: PS3, PS4, Vita
MSRP: $24.99
Price I’d pay: $24.99

Other new additions include things for both the hardcore players and the ones brushing up on their game. The challenge mode offers up more ways to play with special conditions for each fight. Survival mode is the classic “see how far I can make it with little health recovery” mode that can get really challenging after only a few matches. The most helpful mode is the trials mode, where players are tasked with completing combos for a certain character. It helps to learn both the moves and combos for the characters, and also gives the players ideas as to what to use in their real matches. For those that want it, a full voiced story mode for all the characters is now available, even if the story is rather insane and complex for me.

Other improvements from the last time I played are the move-list overhaul (or at least a more simplified and streamlined move-list) and a visual upgrade from the previous iteration. The PS4 version of this game looks rather gorgeous, with the colorful art style and flashy animations. It really is a brilliant looking game.

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The big question on people’s minds is should you get this when you have the first iteration and the DLC characters? Well, it all really depends. The game allows cross play between the Vita, PS3, and PS4 versions, and the online play is smooth as can be. On top of that, the PS4 version is compatible with PS3 peripherals like fight sticks, so no need to go out and grab a new controller. The visual upgrade is nice, as is everything on one system in one full package, but in the long run, it all really depends on where you want to play and if you’re a big enough Skullgirls fan to double dip.

For $25, you get a fine fighting game that plays great and looks pretty amazing. Players who own the first iteration and the DLC may need to think extra hard if they really want to double dip, but fighting game fans that are looking for a flashy, complex, and fun fighting game and haven’t tried this game out yet need to pick it up.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.

Good
  • Cross platform play
  • Beautiful visuals
  • New modes
  • New characters
  • Special tweaks
Bad
  • Some characters feel the same to each other
  • Owners of the original and DLC may not need this
9
Excellent
Written by
Drew is the Community Manager here at ZTGD and his accent simply woos the ladies. His rage is only surpassed by the great one himself and no one should stand between him and his Twizzlers.