Mighty Switch Force 2
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3DS
| Mighty Switch Force 2

It's always heart-warming when a game developer takes criticism on-board.

When I reviewed WayForward's Mighty Switch Force, I pointed out several problems, including underwhelming stereoscopic 3D and an irksome inability to quickly restart a level.

With Mighty Switch Force 2, the studio has fixed nearly every problem I had with the first game, and made plenty of other improvements besides.

Burning desire

Once again you play as Office Patricia Wagon, except this time around you're armed with a water cannon, which you use to put out fires, push enemies to their deaths, and make lumbering beasts explode.

The platform-switching ability is back too, and makes up the core gameplay. Platforms exist in two different dimensions, and when you hit the shoulder buttons you flip between the two.

Later into the game you can force blocks to stay in one dimension by standing on them. Of course, you need to make sure that you're not stood in front of a block as you bring it forward, or you'll be crushed.

It makes for puzzling action that's both clever and extremely challenging. In particular, some of the new water-based elements, such as pumping water around pipes and putting out ovens, really give the game an edge.

There's simply a lot more variety this time around, and the water cannon feels great to use, as you can tap the 'fire' button to alter how powerfully the cannon fires.

This fire is out of control

I wasn't a fan of the 3D effects in the original game, but Mighty Switch Force 2 makes excellent use of the technology.

Embers flicker across the front of the screen, and look so real that at one point I genuinely tried to wipe one away with my finger. The backdrops are gorgeous this time around too, with trains rushing by while you play.

This is one of the most stylish games you can play on your Nintendo 3DS, thanks not only to the gorgeous visuals but to the banging, varied soundtrack.

What hasn't really been rectified since the original game is the amount of content. Once again there are 16 levels, and once again I managed to finish the game off in short order, with no real reason to go back afterwards.

There are babies to save this time around, which adds a small amount of replay value - but, honestly, I'd just like some new areas to explore and some online leaderboards.

Either way, Mighty Switch Force 2 is essential - especially if you enjoyed the original. WayForward is truly one of the most exciting developers creating games for 3DS today.

Mighty Switch Force 2

Mighty Switch Force 2 is well worth a punt, with puzzle-platforming that will hold your attention from start to end
Score
Mike Rose
Mike Rose
An expert in the indie games scene, Mike comes to Pocket Gamer as our handheld gaming correspondent. He is the author of 250 Indie Games You Must Play.