Ultimately, Unravel Two does feel more like a co-op spin off than a true sequel to the original, which may not be a problem for many, but I couldn’t help but wonder what else might have been achieved if the developers spent their time on experimenting with level design generally, instead of putting themselves in the box of needing to construct everything around two-player cooperation. Admittedly, they did get respectably close with striking the balance between making a co-op game and also a game that can also be played solo, as Yarny can latch on to another Yarny at any time, controlling like one character. This makes traversal between the challenges seamless. You still need them separated to get through the bulk of the puzzles though. You can also change their yarn color, which I thought was a nice touch and I found myself experimenting with that far more than I had any right to.

"A well thought out hint system is a nice addition as well, and can pull you out of most of those intellectual slumps that puzzle games eventually put most gamers in from time to time, while also providing a sense of direction and clearly illuminating your goals."

I was very relieved to notice that the general aesthetic of the original game is fully intact. It’s important to note that most of the fundamentals that made the first game so memorable did make it into this sequel, including the fetching look of such shallow depth of field, adorable visuals and art design, and an emotional soundtrack that guarantees to elicit vague feelings of childhood wonderment from anyone who’s heart isn’t completely made of stone. There is also a subtle fleeting sense of eeriness that comes and goes, which adds some welcome emotional texture to the overall experience.

A well thought out hint system is a nice addition as well, and can pull you out of most of those intellectual slumps that puzzle games eventually put most gamers in from time to time, while also providing a sense of direction and clearly illuminating your goals. On top of that, the sheer amount of content from story levels to bonus stages is quite a bit more than I was expecting, and should keep fans of this world coming back to it for longer they probably expected. The puzzles themselves did get a little repetitious for me after a few hours though. Perhaps, this is just a side effect of it being a puzzle game with such a clear style, as there are only so many combinations of the same puzzle elements that can be created, but at the same time I would have appreciated one or two more puzzle types to keep things a little more fresh. However, the combination of refinement over the original game and sheer quantity of content is still a great trade for the friendly price.

The controls feel a little tighter this time around, but still have that same near perfect harmony between the bounciness of LittleBigPlanet and the raw precision of Super Meat Boy. Its a nice space to occupy for a puzzle platformer and I wish more games would. Controlling Yarny and other Yarny feels great, and guiding them through the various stages is every bit the whimsical delight it needed to be.

"Clearly the team behind Unravel is capable of better storytelling than this, and I was a little disappointed to see how minimal and ineffective it ultimately was."

One thing I couldn’t shake though was the feeling that the puzzles themselves were just meant to be played with two people. Switching back and forth between Yarnys while playing solo certainly gets things done, but it just doesn’t feel like the way the levels shouldbe played. I guess it’s just in the game’s DNA to have two independent players to maximize the experience. While I can tell lots of thought went into making the game fun both ways, playing the game solo just makes it feel like less of a return to the world of Unravel and more like trying a different flavor of it. This might turn you off a bit, it might not, but personally I would say it distracted me more than a few times during my solo play sessions. On top of that, there are some long stretches where you might detect some repetition, which is a feeling I don’t remember having in the original.

Sadly, the background story about two kids escaping from some sort of ambiguously unpleasant home life fell pretty flat for me, and just doesn’t add much to the experience. I suppose it further drives the concept of cooperation and friendship into the game thematically, but other than that it basically had no effect on me, and I feel like this is another area of the game that probably could have benefited from gettingsome  more attention and really felt like an opportunity missed, especially considering how moving the story of the original was.

Clearly the team behind Unravel is capable of better storytelling than this, and I was a little disappointed to see how minimal and ineffective it ultimately was. There just isn’t much to analyze here, and even though it is presented to us in a tasteful, and at times endearing way, I just never felt connected to it at all. Granted, the story isn’t really why you should play Unravel or Unravel Two, you should be playing these games for the atmosphere and the gameplay, but it would have been nice to see the story make me feel an ounce of what the original’s did.

"The puzzles are often satisfying to figure out and pitch perfect when it comes to difficultly, the musical score is outstanding, and the overall presentation continues to make Yarny stand out in a very old and crowded genre."

Because of the solid foundation that original built, Unravel Two gets far more things right than it gets wrong, and the things it gets wrong aren’t even that wrong. Ultimately, it might feel slightly more derivative than fans were expecting from the first sequel to the original, especially considering that nobody was really complaining about the original’s lack of a two-player mode, but it largely serves up its changes to the formula with finesse and care, minimizing any negative side effects of them.

The puzzles are often satisfying to figure out and pitch perfect when it comes to difficultly, the musical score is outstanding, and the overall presentation continues to make Yarny stand out in a very old and crowded genre. Faltering only in small ways on occasion, the second outing into Yarny’s world is still absolutely worth having, and if you want to get the most out of it, share the experience and bring along a good friend.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 4.

As noted earlier today, ColdWood Interactive’s Unravel 2 was rated by the ESRB. The description seemed to indicate that there would be co-op and sure enough, the developer took the stage at EA Play 2018 to announce the same. Shockingly enough, not only was the first gameplay footage revealed but EA CEO Andrew Wilson also confirmed that Unravel 2 is out today. Yes, today. Like right now.

If you’re not sure about it, then check out the first gameplay trailer below. The story sees Yarny’s bonds being broken and him seeking out a new spark. Fortunately, he finds it in another Yarny and together, the two must work together to make it through the world. Along with the same yarn-based puzzles from the previous game, there are more frantic moments like escaping a hostile bird.

Unravel 2 is available for PS4, Xbox One and PC for $19.99. If you’re a subscriber of EA/Origin Access, then the beginning portion can be played today. What are your thoughts on the sudden release? Let us know in the comments.

Kicking off the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2018 is Electronic Arts with its EA Play conference. Though EA Play lasts for several days to offer attendees a hands-on look with upcoming games, there will also be a dedicated presser taking place today. It starts at 11 AM PT and you can watch it via the YouTube link below.

Thus far, we know that games like Battlefield 5, Anthem and the latest EA Sports titles will be appearing. Bioware’s Anthem, hotly anticipated since its reveal last year, will receive more gameplay footage and details. Meanwhile, Battlefield 5 will receive more multiplayer footage, likely showcasing some of the Grand Operations that can be expected.

As is usually the case, expect a closed beta for the multiplayer to go live shortly after the presser. Regarding other titles that could be potentially revealed, Titanfall developer Respawn Entertainment is teasing its next game. Unravel 2 has also been rated by the ESRB with some teases of co-op. What do you hope to see from the presser? Let us know in the comments.

In a day that will have numerous surprises, it’s perhaps not all that surprising that ColdWood Interactive’s Unravel 2 has been rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Even though EA Play 2018 will take place later today, the publisher had announced last month that it was collaborating with ColdWood for another project (which was later confirmed by PC Gamer as the “next Unravel“).

The ESRB listing actually provides a few clues as to what the sequel could hold. It will be a side-scrolling platformer like the original but there will be multiple Yarnys this time around.

“This is a side-scrolling platformer in which players control a pair of fantastical creatures called Yarnys as they navigate environments. Players traverse platforms and avoid hazards by swinging from yarn lassos; some areas contain animals that chase/menace the player’s characters. The Yarnys are defeated when they are eaten by a fish, grabbed by birds, crushed by boulders, or run over by cars.”

The sequel will be heading to PS4, Xbox One and Windows PC but will it actually release this year? Given the number of high profile releases coming Autumn and Winter, it would make more sense for it to arrive in early 2019.

If you’ve never played the original Unravel, the free trial is available here. Check out GamingBolt’s official review here as well to decide if it’s worth the time. EA Play 2018 will start today at 11 AM PT.