The story of Freedom Planet 2 continues the plot of the original, picking up a few years after Brevon was defeated and driven out of the home planet of Avalice. When another attack occurs on Avalice, the four playable characters, led by returning key protagonists Sash Lilac and Carol Tea, are summoned to investigate the attacks. One thing leads to another, and suddenly you’ll be faced with the sudden return of water dragons and having to stop the potential use of a world-ending superweapon.

"The story, now beginning to branch from its Sonic­-heavy influence, leaves a bit to be desired with its cartoony take on surprisingly heavy topics, but everything surrounding the story makes Freedom Planet 2 a wildly fun ride from start to finish."

The story itself is unremarkable. It’s told primarily through the six different episodes, structured as two sets of three episodes you can play in any order, and the nature of how the story is told makes it more about the exploration of the world and characters than a truly linear plot. Much of the storytelling is done through long-winded cutscenes involving the four main playable characters and the episode’s main villain, and while they are meant to feed into the final main villain, they feel more like one-off events that happen to occur in the meantime. Without wishing to spoil, when you do reach the finale, much of the story feels inevitable, like it could have been wrapped up earlier, but having seen the characters grow and interact throughout the story does make for an enjoyable final sequence and a satisfying ending.

Tonally, though, Freedom Planet 2 makes up for much of its narrative shortcomings due to its much cartoonier feel and general self-awareness. Characters often quip nonchalantly about Avalice’s goings-on, while villains frequently take a more Saturday morning cartoon attitude. It can be a jarring tonal shift when switching back and forth between quippy dialogue and the fate of the world, but in conjunction with the art style and color palette, the lighter tone fits the sequel well.

The art style, too, is notably gorgeous. The pixel art remains from the original, but it’s taken a leap in variety and quality. Characters are more distinct and visually expressive, particularly in cutscenes, while levels are varied both in setting and aesthetic. Level designs can range from intricate lava-filled caves to high-flying airships or unique villainous castles. Especially between episodes, every level feels distinct from the last, and I never stopped enjoying seeing where the game would take me next. Within those unique levels, too, is a vast array of differentiated gameplay opportunities that build on one another and keep anything from feeling stale. Indeed, the gameplay is where Freedom Planet 2 shines the brightest, concocting an addictive blend of platforming, boss battles, and exploration that make it feel fresh around every corner.

To some extent, gameplay in Freedom Planet 2 feels like the first game with a bigger budget. A fourth playable character, Neera Li, has been introduced alongside the original three to tackle the 24 main levels across nine main episodes including the intro and finale, as well as a handful of hub areas where you can talk to characters and purchase collectibles, and each level feels visually and mechanically distinct. At one point you can be fighting in a colosseum-esque battle arena, while in the next you can be in a frozen, snowy graveyard or a lightning-heavy skyscraping tower. Many of the levels touch on the genre’s tropes of desert, grasslands, water, and snow, but even within these levels the game still feels like it’s not recycling ideas or treading old ground.

"The art style is notably gorgeous. The pixel art remains from the original, but it’s taken a leap in variety and quality."

The levels themselves are remarkable, too. Most of the 24 levels are wildly open-ended and frequently much bigger than they first appear. When you reach the second half of the game, these levels can often take upwards of 15-to-20 minutes to complete, spanning multiple phases and gameplay mechanics. It’s still a 2D platformer at heart, so the ultimate goal is generally to get to the far right end of the map, but these levels find a way to make going from left to right interesting and rewarding. Most of the gameplay remains the same from the first game, though a new guard mechanic makes it a bit easier to avoid damage, but traversal is truly the star of the show, with each character having a unique way of getting to the next destination quickly. It’s easy to get lost in levels, as their sheer size can make it difficult to tell how far you’ve gotten or where you’re supposed to go next, but somehow I always naturally found my way to the next checkpoint, regardless of if it was a simple run to the right or a twisting and turning path through puzzles and enemies.

The way you traverse and interact with each level can change, too, often in interesting ways. One standout, the Globe Opera, is a musical sequence whose stage moves in tandem with the excellent music. In this stage, and a few others, constant movement is key, and it will at points effectively take control of your character to send them through a series of pipes and jumps in line with the music. When you are in control, too, you can choose to engage with the impressively varied slate of standard enemies, each of which has a unique move set tailored to the stage. It definitely feels at points like you can just speed your way through the level, ignoring enemies and pushing to the end, especially since there are no major upgrades that make you stronger or unlock new moves, but I found it enjoyable to play both ways across multiple different levels.

Virtually every stage ends with a boss as well, and these are some of the individual highlights of Freedom Planet 2’s combat. Boss designs take the varied enemy design to the next level, and no two bosses feel or fight the same. Sometimes you’ll be tasked with avoiding sideswiping damage against massive villains, while others will be a one-on-one fight against other story-based enemies. Not every boss is a classic battle to the death, either, as a few bosses avoid the traditional combat entirely. One standout is a race through a level against a key villain, while another has you piloting a giant mech against a previously untouchable boss. Some bosses can pose a jarring difficulty spike, and I was privy to using some of the game-altering accessibility items that help you in battle, but I was always looking forward to the next boss fight and how the game was going to find new ways to change up the gameplay.

One disappointment about Freedom Planet 2 is its continued inability to switch between playable characters within the story. You choose one of the four characters to play as for the Adventure Mode, which cannot be changed. I chose to play as Lilac for the main campaign, and while each of the four playable characters appear consistently throughout the story, including appearing in battle at certain points, you can never change between them until completing the game. It’s unfortunate because the play styles of each character are unique and would provide a breath of fresh air between different levels across the 20-or-so hours it took me to beat the game, and the story itself doesn’t change much depending on which character you choose. While I found Milla the Explorer to ultimately be my favorite of the four, I would have loved to have an opportunity to play as each of them outside of the endgame Classic Mode or starting a new campaign.

"Most of the 24 levels are wildly open-ended and frequently much bigger than they first appear. When you reach the second half of the game, these levels can often take upwards of 15-to-20 minutes to complete, spanning multiple phases and gameplay mechanics."

Despite originating as a Sonic clone, the Freedom Planet series has made remarkable strides with its second entry. As it makes its way to console, the sequel has expanded upon virtually every aspect of the first game to great success. The levels feel larger and more visually and mechanically distinct, making every step forward a surprising addition to an already-packed experience, and the bosses at the end of each stage are highlights that provide a tough challenge and force you to master the combat and traversal mechanics of each character. The story is more of an avenue to explore these wonderful characters through a delightfully cartoony tone, and while it isn’t as emotionally resonant as it would like to be, the gameplay it leads to more than makes up for it. Freedom Planet 2 still hovers in the shadow of its predecessors, but it’s well on its way to making the series one of the premier 2D platformers in recent memory.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Launched in 2022 for PC, Freedom Planet 2 follows up on the original by introducing a new threat – Merga, the Water Dragon – who wants to lay waste to Avalice. Lilac, Carol and Milla return as playable characters, while Neera joins the roster. There are 24 stages to explore, collectibles to find and significant improvements to the gameplay.

Interestingly, the console versions will launch with Boss Rush mode (also available for PC players on the same day). You can access it in the Battlesphere and challenge two divisions with 17 bosses each – conquering both provides access to a VIP room with Easter eggs for the series. Stay tuned for more details when the update goes live in April.

Joining the trio is Neera the Frost Knight, a Power Type who can harness ice. Two modes are available, Adventure and Classic, with the former providing a world map, numerous landmarks and over 100 NPCs to interact with. Classic Mode lets you get right into the action without the map.

New mechanics include a Revival system, guarding and parrying, and customizable options that can boost attack power, speed, and the number of stocks/lives. If you fancy a challenge then Brave Stones can be enabled, providing bonus Crystals in return. You can also visit the Battlesphere to take on previously fought enemies and bosses.

Freedom Planet 2 is also coming to PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. The console versions launch in Summer 2023, so stay tuned for further updates.

More details are coming later but the studio has confirmed additional language options with the console versions. These will be patched into the PC version in the same period. GalaxyTrail also confirmed that development is in the “final stages” with the credits and a “few smaller cutscenes” left.

“Our whole team has done such an exceptional job over the years, and we’re more excited than ever to release it into the wild next month!”

Freedom Planet 2 sees Avalice under threat again with a new antagonist, the water dragon Merga, returning to wreak havoc. Lilac, Carol and Milla return as playable characters with Neera the Frost Knight joining the roster. Along with a vast world, players interact with more than 100 NPCs. New mechanics include a new Guard button, parrying, a new revival system, and customizable potions. Stay tuned for more gameplay and details in the coming weeks.

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“We are eager to launch on multiple platforms at the same time alongside the PC version, and these additional ports will need more time to go through testing and certification than we anticipated.” While it couldn’t offer anything “more specific” at this time, more details will be shared when the team is ready.

It also noted that its lead developer, Sabrina DiDuro (who founded the studio as a one-person team) suffered a hand injury. Thus, the additional time also allows for recuperating while other team members handle her work. Now that the core game is finished, fans can expect “more frequent updates” en route to September.

Freedom Planet 2 has only been confirmed for PC thus far. It sees Lilac, Milla and Carol returning while Neera Li becomes a playable character. Along with revivals and Gold Gems to purchase items (along with modifying potions to increase damage and other benefits), combat now allows for blocking and parrying via the new Guard function. A free demo is currently available to try out.

https://twitter.com/galaxytrail/status/1505279634547617799

Freedom Planet 2 sees Lilac, Milla and Carol returning while Neera Li joins as a new playable character. Along with improved visuals and revamped designs for its characters, the platformer also sports a new item system. By using Gold Gems, players can purchase items and also modify a potion bottle to boost damage, gain more lives and so on. There’s also a new guard button for parrying and blocking attacks.

Revivals, allowing one to use an extra life to revive on the spot, have also been added. While providing a brief period of invincibility, you won’t regain full health on reviving. It’s handy for when you’ve almost beaten a boss though. Stay tuned for more details on Freedom Planet 2 in the coming months.

A demo version of the game released on January 31st, 2017, and the “Sample Version” can be found even today on the official website. Originally set for release in 2018, the game has delayed to sometime in 2019. It is expected to launch first on PC before making its way to other systems.

• 1. Development
• 2. Story
• 3. Gameplay
• 4. Characters

Development

Following the success of the original Freedom Planet, on December 25, 2015, GalaxyTrail announced that they would follow up their first major game with an immediate sequel. The team wanted to establish more of their own identity with the sequel, and so the cast from the first game would undergo a design overhaul by artist Tyson Tan.

While the first game would run on the Clickteam Fusion engine, the developers made the decision to move Freedom Planet 2 onto the far more flexible and prevalent Unity Engine. Christian Whitehead, famous for his work on Sonic Mania, is also involved with Freedom Planet 2, helping to program the title and assisting in porting the game physics into Unitys engine.

Later, on January 31st, 2017, a “Sample Version” demo was released on the game’s official website, allowing players to check out a tiny slice of the game. Little over a week later on February 10th, 2017 the game would hit the Steam Greenlight service and become greenlit by the community just a couple days later on February 14th. While it was estimated for a 2018 release before, on January 19, 2018 the estimate for release would be updated to sometime in late spring or early summer 2019.

Story

Taking place two years on from the events of Freedom Planet, which ended with the defeat of Brevon and the destruction of the Kingdom Stone, Freedom Planet 2 introduces a new threat in the form of Merga. Because the Kingdom Stone was destroyed, this ancient Water Dragon was able to escape her crystal prison at the bottom of the ocean and is out for vengeance.

As Merga moves to activate an ancient super weapon and turn it on the three kingdoms for her imprisonment, the three heroes of the first game find themselves on different sides of the escalating war. Lilac, Carol, and Milla all have their own reasons to fight, and players can follow each side of their story through multiple playthroughs.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Freedom Planet 2 is largely familiar to players of the first game. The game is heavily inspired by 16 and 32 bit titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Gunstar Heroes, with a heavy emphasis on speed, momentum based platforming, multiple paths and combat. There are said to be roughly 20 stages in Freedom Planet 2, with each stage now being a single large stage instead of two distinct, smaller acts. Because of this change all stages will end with a boss.

There are also new changes being introduced to further differentiate the game. Hub worlds will be introduced, with NPCs to talk to and receive information and quests from. There will be multiple hubs which the player moves between with a world map. Cutscenes will preserve the previously seen fully animated sprites for special moments, with the rest of the game featuring stills and voice over, much like a visual novel. The collectable Star Cards from the previous game return as the major collectable, usually dropped by bosses and help mark your progression through the game.

In game abilities, including the ability to guard, preventing or reducing damage if timed right, and the ability to revive a fallen character where they were under specific conditions are introduced. A brand new system replacing the Sonic inspired Shields from the previous game is the Guardian Orbs system.

When the player collects a shield crystal, a guardian orb of one of the five elements, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal, is released and begins to orbit around the player. They exhibit similar abilities to the original shields, with additional benefits such as spawning health. The player can collect multiple orbs, which add to the player’s overall health. Speed Gates also present mini-speed challenges, asking the player to leave the longest trail they can at full speed to gain crystal shards.

Characters

There are four playable characters for Freedom Planet 2 planned at launch, each with their own progression through the story. Sash Lilac is the central character of Freedom Planet 2. Lilac is a half-water dragon who isn’t quite sure where she came from. She’s a kind hearted, energetic young woman who is always willing to go out of her way, and even put herself in danger to protect people.

Her friend, Carol Tea is rather impulsive, which tends to get the group into trouble. Her and her best friend Lilac were living in a treehouse for years, stealing from the rich to support themselves. While she has a lazy streak, she’s fiercely loyal and can be counted on in a pinch. She’s not as naturally fast as Lilac, and so relies on her motorcycle to get to higher speeds, as well as for combat.

Milla Basset is an orphan who found Lilac and Carol during the events of the first game and quickly befriended the other two girls. She’s not the best socializer, having grown up mostly alone, but is a very generous person once that shell is broken.

Lastly, Neera Li was once a powerful enemy of Lilac. The Panda woman is a highly trained martial artist who is training the others and guides them on their own missions, while wielding her cryo-staff on her own. The new villain to the game, Merga is a Water Dragon, who was sealed in a crystal prison over 100 years ago.

Note: This wiki will be updated once we have more information about the game.

GalaxyTrail’s Freedom Planet was the 2D Sonic title we didn’t know we wanted until Sonic Mania came out. Now with the latter out of the way, Freedom Planet 2 looks to fill that void with new characters and the same high speed gameplay that we loved about the original. Check out the latest gameplay trailer for the platformer below.

The cast of characters this time around includes Lilac, Milla, Carol and Neera, each with their own gameplay style (Lilac is more about speed while Milla is more of an explorer). Players will be able to explore a huge world map in Adventure Mode and interact with more than 100 NPCs or they can hop into Classic Mode and hit the ground running through stages.

GalaxyTrail is promising quite a bit but you can try out the game’s demo via Steam and see the progress for yourself. It offers all the playable characters in one full level (and no annoying timers to deal with). Stay tuned for more information regarding a release date.