Robot Unicorn Attack 2 Review

Stephen Duetzmann – Editor in Chief

[Adult Swim] Games

Content Rating: Low Maturity

Release Date July 12, 2013

Android (Also available on iOS)

Overall Review:

I knew that reviewing Robot Unicorn Attack 2 would be dangerous. I spent a LOT of time playing the original when it first came out. I suppose I have a weakness for good endless-runner games. [Adult Swim] has definitely figured out the formula.

Definition: Endless-Runners

These are games where players move through a level that does not end earning points based on their distance, time survived, or both. Players have to test their reaction time and hand/eye coordination as they keep progressing through the levels.

Robot Unicorn Attack 2 does just about everything right by building on the aesthetics of the original with a more refined gaming experience. You still control a robot unicorn as you jump and/or dash through an un-ending level. The art style is still reminiscent of an album cover from the 80s. They have coupled that with some significant gameplay improvements. The biggest among them being that the levels are no longer randomly generated. They are the same. This means that there is value to paying attention to what your doing and committing it to memory.

Some have complained that the game has changed fundamentally because they added a free-to-play model onto the game. This was done by allowing players to spend real life dollars to buy crystals (the in game currency) and new background music. I am of the opinion that this is just a knee jerk reaction. Crystals can be earned easily through playing the game and background music has little to do with the actual playing of the game. I never felt like I was being forced to spend money in order to succeed and the requests to sell me things never once felt intrusive.

This game is a lot of fun. But you need to be careful If you, or your child, happen to be easily sucked into video games that don’t have an end. Hours can pass without you even knowing it.

Family Gaming Assessment:

There is nothing content wise that concerns me here. The imagery in the background of the game can get a bit trippy as you traverse the various levels, but nothing gets scary or disturbing. The robot unicorn does explode on impact with things causing its head to fly towards the screen, but it is obviously a robot from the beginning.

Playability Assessment:

This game is challenging. There is no way around it. The levels speed up quickly the farther you go which makes the platforming very difficult over time.

The biggest challenge I see with this game for kids is that endless-runner games have different goals than many of the other games that kids will play. When Mario falls in a pit too many times in a Super Mario Brothers game, then you can get a game over. It means you failed and need to try again. You can’t NOT die in endless-runner games. It’s a fundamental part of the experience. If kids aren’t prepared for that it can be a rude awakening.

Conclusion:

It is hard not to recommend a game that is free. I would recommend that just about anyone should take a spin at this game to see if they are interested in it. Not everyone likes this genre of games. But, it is definitely worth your time. 

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