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Almost six years after the original, Michael Todd Games returns to inflict more painful hardcore platforming with slick beats in Electronic Super Joy 2 which is out now. Technically the third game, since Electronic Super Joy: Groove City was also released back in 2014.

It's…difficult, maddeningly so in some areas. This is a game designed to make you furious, yet it's so damn good at the same time. I will fully admit to being absolutely atrocious at it, hardcore platformers aren't usually something that I go for but Electronic Super Joy 2 has the right amount of weird for me to enjoy it.

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Another reason it's good is the absolutely fantastic soundtrack, seriously it's awesome. Exactly the kind of thumping music to really get your blood pumping and your fingers mashing those buttons. You need that music too, I couldn't imagine just how aggravating it would be without it. Seriously, this was designed by someone who wants to inflict pain on you. I'm pretty sure while playing it, I startled everyone in my street a few times shouting at it.

I'm definitely not a fan of the "oooh…yeah!" moaning going on whenever you take a checkpoint or spawn back at one. You can adjust it, to have a less graphic "ah yeah!" but that's even more annoying. Look, sometimes I fell off the same platform like a hundred times, it really irritated me. I wish I could turn it off.

Reading back, it might sound now like I'm not a fan, to be very clear I am. As far as hardcore platformers go, it's good. Some of it feels downright bloody unfair though, with projectiles firing away at you, while you're trying to jump across single blocks with an enemy at the end you need to then jump above and stomp—absolutely madness. Some of the checkpoints need tweaking too, there's a few where you get maybe 1 second to react before you're hit with something.

Feature Highlight:

  • Play through 55+ pulse-pounding levels!
  • Groove to 38 tracks of amazing music!
  • Load your shotgun & fight through a DOOM-style FPS!
  • Twist your way across the World Map, with 55+ levels, plus side challenges, secret levels, alternative pathways & collectibles.
  • 8+ hours of gameplay!
  • 4 HUGE Boss fights!
  • Far too many dad jokes & bad puns!

A surprise is that it's actually free, with a DLC to get some extras you can buy to support the developer. Included in the Gold Edition are 3 bonus levels, a new ability, a new boss fight, new in-game music, the full 43 track OST, HD digital posters, in-development shots and behind the scenes stuff.

Run and jump on over to itch.io or Steam if you fancy trying it out.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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4 comments

Eike Aug 10, 2019
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I read the article more by chance and feel like this "free" thingy might be good for the headline... :-)
Eike Aug 10, 2019
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QuoteI'm definitely not a fan of the "oooh…yeah!" moaning going on whenever you take a checkpoint or spawn back at one. You can adjust it, to have a less graphic "ah yeah!" but that's even more annoying. Look, sometimes I fell off the same platform like a hundred times, it really irritated me. I wish I could turn it off.

The developer said under a review:
"As a note, you can turn on PG mode in the options, which removes the checkpoint sound effects & swearing."
Is that what you tried, or does it help you?
Liam Dawe Aug 10, 2019
Quoting: EikeI read the article more by chance and feel like this "free" thingy might be good for the headline... :-)
Good point.

Quoting: Eike
QuoteI'm definitely not a fan of the "oooh…yeah!" moaning going on whenever you take a checkpoint or spawn back at one. You can adjust it, to have a less graphic "ah yeah!" but that's even more annoying. Look, sometimes I fell off the same platform like a hundred times, it really irritated me. I wish I could turn it off.

The developer said under a review:
"As a note, you can turn on PG mode in the options, which removes the checkpoint sound effects & swearing."
Is that what you tried, or does it help you?
It doesn't remove the sound effect, it just changes it as noted.
bubexel Aug 12, 2019
3 days from last new, we should be worried? or just vacations, liamdawe?
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