Toki Tori 2+ is a charming 2D puzzle platformer of the Metroidvania type that was originally exclusive to the Wii U platform. Two Tribes has finally ported the game to Sony’s platform for all the PlayStation fans to enjoy. For me, the game is so much more fun than the original Toki Tori (which is a very entertaining puzzle game) thanks to its open design and massive world.
You play as a cute little bird who can walk left or right and whistle melodies in a Morse code fashion. He can also climb and stomp. The controls may sound simplistic, but the puzzles will require a little thinking outside the box to make the most of the abilities you have, because you can overcome these puzzles by manipulating the environments and other animals around you.
You will be singing little melodies a lot to help with puzzle solving and progressing, and there is even a melody for rewinding, so if you make a mistake and find yourself completely stuck, then rewind will help you greatly! There is one for viewing the map, which is ideal if you have missed any collectibles from previous levels. There is also a melody for teleporting that will call an eagle ti take you to wherever you want to go, – provided you have unlocked the obelisk in that area. There is also melody for taking pictures (there’s a trophy tied to this one). There’s even a melody for finding collectibles! The melodies work similar to Morse, with short or long bursts of the action button in quick succession, but don’t worry if it sounds complicated since you’ll get the hang of things in a few minutes tops.
As I mentioned before, you can use the simple controls provided to help you manipulate the environment. For example, if you see a platform wedged under a cliff on the other side of the level, but the gap is too wide to jump, you can play a tune to charm the creature to follow you, and there you have it! Now you have platform you can use to cross to the other side of the level. It is amazing what you can do with a little thinking and by seeing what is available in your current location.
There are other clever uses as well. It’s quite hard to mention everything without spoiling all the puzzles, but let’s just say that frogs can also be manipulated to your advantage. Just whistle and stomp your way to victory!
You will need to be alert, because sometimes the slightest mistake can lead you to death, taking you back to the last checkpoint you passed. Mind you, there’s plenty of checkpoints in the game, so you’ll never have to redo large sections, but you should never be so careless during your puzzle solving.
Toki Tori 2+ is seriously an amazing game, it is so colorful and vibrant, the music is wonderful, there is not a bug or glitch in sight. Two Tribes clearly put a lot of time and thought into bringing this game to life. Definitely a worthy download.
