Don’t call it a comeback.
It is hard for me to comprehend that we are in fact playing a brand-new Sunsoft game in the year 2024. Ufouria: The Saga 2 feels like it was ripped right out of the Wii era with its pathwork visuals, while also retaining that Sunsoft feel with its simplistic design and outstanding music. Everything else around this package screams nostalgia from the NES days which combines for the perfect experience for a kid like me who grew up humming the theme to Batman and Blaster Master…who am I kidding? I still do that.
One might be wondering why there is a “2” in the title. Well, this is a sequel…to a game from 1991. Yes, Sunsoft took 31 years to bring back Ufouria. The characters from these games were meant to be mascots for the company and ended up appearing in a series of titles over the years on a wide range of systems including the PlayStation and even the Japan-only Wonderswan. Still the proper sequel never came out, and now with the renaissance of Sunsoft, we finally get to continue the adventure.
MSRP: $24.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $24.99
The game itself is a simple side-scroller with a hint of Metroid mixed in. This is presented in the form of characters instead of arbitrary abilities. Much like the visual style, the mechanics of the game are based on finding old friends and having them join in your adventure. Once acquired you can swap characters, all of which have different abilities that will allow you to reach new areas. The system is familiar, but rarely has it been this adorable. Every character drives home the idea of friendship and you must complete a task for them before they join you.
The loop is based around collecting coins and purchasing things from vending machines. These include items for your friends, standard items such as health potions, and permanent upgrades for your character. The system works and is as simple as everything else in the game. Complete a mission, bank a bunch of coins, purchase items and upgrades. Rinse and repeat. This sounds like it could get monotonous, but the variety of levels and boss fights really keep things interesting. There was rarely a moment when I wasn’t excited to see what the new level would bring.
The look of the game feels like something right out of the Wii era. Think Yoshi’s Wooly World and you will get the idea. Everything features a cross-stitch design, and the worlds are full of vertical areas flushed with color and interesting designs. It all runs at a brisk pace too with a 120fps mode that just makes platforming feel sublime. I cannot talk about a Sunsoft game without mentioning the music. They have created some of the most classic jams of all time. Ufouria 2 continues this tradition with some tunes that match the world while also causing me to hum them after only hearing a few times. Their sound design is simply unmatched, and it feels so good to have them back in the mix.
Ufouria 2’s only drawback is that it is possibly too simple. The game rarely presented a challenge and death was rarely an issue. The mechanics are also barren with only a few things to see and do, and the loop becomes repetitive relatively quickly. Still the music, visuals, and simple charm of the game carry it to completion. This is a game that I adore because of nostalgia, but I think even people unfamiliar with the developer will find plenty to love. The game just oozes that ‘video game’ charm we fell in love with back in the NES days, something that is sorely lacking in a lot of modern titles.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
