--Loading screen, PixelJunk Monsters 2
The Switch has at least a handful of strong but regularly unmentioned tower defense games, including X-Morph: Defense, a shooter-tower defense hybrid that puts players in control of an alien warcraft. A far less serious game from the genre--but one that is by no means less capable of offering challenge--on the platform is PixelJunk Monsters 2, a sequel to a rather original game that debuted on the PS3. The signature lack of a direct story does not actually harm the overall game, as aesthetic and mechanical uniqueness are what PixelJunk Monsters 2 stands on.
Some of the innovations or more unique aspects of the game include the fact that new waves of enemies can start before the previous wave's enemies have been destroyed, standing still by towers accelerates their XP growth, and far more viewpoints are available than is normally the case in tower defense games. The combination of these elements separates Pixel Junk Monsters 2 from many tower defense games that might be far more popular. For this reason alone (and for others), it is far from a creative mistake.
Production Values
Even though the character and tower models can seem blurry from a distance at times, the animations are consistently smooth. PixelJunk Monster's art style has been translated to 3D graphics, which evolves the series even before the mechanics of the game are considered. Unfortunately, the loading times can stretch on for around a minute or more. The long load times still only detract from the overall smoothness of the experience, as they have nothing to do with the quality of the gameplay.
Gameplay
One of the biggest new additions to the series in this sequel is the ability to switch between the traditional overhead perspective (along with a zoomed-out view of the whole map) and a third-person viewpoint. The traditional viewpoint allows for the best visibility of one's immediate surroundings, but different perspectives can be helpful in particular circumstances. It is the third-person view that showcases the graphical updates to PixelJunk Monsters, though, as the environments and characters are 3D for the first time.
Many of the other norms of the series return despite the sharp change in the way the art style is portrayed, including tower dancing and building towers where trees once stood. Regarding the former, standing by a tower lets Tikiman dance and level it up even if there are no enemies around. This strategy can be very helpful while preparing for tough units, and it does not even take longer than around half a minute of consistent dancing, but the amount of time it takes to give each constructed tower attention when new towers need to be built or when enemies are advancing can make it a futile effort in some cases.
There is a very distinct difference between the game's two difficulties, "Fun" and "Tricky." The first waves of a level that might be very easy for most players can become devastating if the right defenses are not erected as soon as possible. Thankfully, there are often enough coins and gems to build at least enough towers to repel a given wave. Some of the options include crossbow towers, cannon towers, missile towers, and ice towers, and multiple types are unlocked as the player progresses by finishing levels and earning rainbows. The deluxe addition adds several levels, providing more opportunities to use those weapons.
Story
There is little to spoil beyond the basic setting of the game. A figure called Tikiman protects 20 smaller companions by building towers to stop groups of spiders, rock creatures, and flying entities from reaching their home. PixelJunk Monsters 2 varies the locations, but the premise never changes, and there is no grand story that develops. There is nothing flawed about this in the case of a tower defense game; it merely means the emphasis is placed on the gameplay mechanics and progression to new environments.
Intellectual Content
The tower defense genre is far from the best genre for deep storytelling, characterization, and philosophical themes. Each of these things is absent from PixelJunk Monsters 2, but there is nothing strange about this. Designing tower patterns nevertheless involves some degree of strategizing and analysis if one is to place ideal towers in the right places--before specific enemies reach that area, if possible. Tower defense games can still be thoroughly intellectual in some ways without featuring puzzles, collectible hunting, dialogue, or grand themes.
Conclusion
For fans of the series, PixelJunk Monsters 2 is almost certain to be an enjoyable experience, and the Switch is a great platform for the bursts of gameplay that often mark tower defense games because of its portability. Even people who have never heard of the series could still appreciate the unlockables and challenges of the game. Its unique artistic style and modifications to typical tower defense mechanics set it apart from the small number of other noteworthy tower defense games on the Switch.
Content:
1. Violence: Incoming enemy creatures are shot by towers, but absolutely nothing about killing enemies is anything more than extremely mild. Enemies bloodlessly die and release their spirits into the air.
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