Sequel Teslagrad 2 from Rain Games and Modus Games is ready for you on PlayStation. Are you? Find out in our Teslagrad 2 review!
Sequel Teslagrad 2 from Rain Games and Modus Games is ready for you on PlayStation. Are you? I had a lot of fun reviewing the original Teslagrad on Nintendo Switch, as well as reviewing Teslagrad Remastered on PlayStation 5, so I was definitely more than ready to check out this sequel. I was not expecting the game to release so soon, but that’s certainly not a complaint! This is a physics-based Metroidvania platformer in which, just as expected, electromagnetic powers will prove to be key.
You’ll be taking on the role of Lumina, a young Teslamancer who we first got to meet during Rain Games World to the West – which we got to review on PlayStation 4. Lumina ends up stranded in Wyrmheim, a remote and treacherous land to the North. Her airship crashes in the area, and she eventually ends up inside a peculiar tower overseeing the fjord side valley. The sequel takes the gameplay from Teslagrad and flips things a bit by adding more action and fast-paced platforming to the equation. You’ll be facing Vikings, monsters inspired by Nordic mythology, and bosses that will stop at nothing to try and destroy you.
If you played the prequel, you’ll be ready to take on Teslagrad 2. As you explore the many hand-painted areas in the game, you’ll control Lumina in this Metroidvania with the left analog stick or the D-Pad, jumping with the X button. She’ll be able to throw with the R1 button and can blink with the Square button once you recover her boots. Find the magnetic cloak, and you will get to activate it with the R2 button to charge her up. Once you gain access to Mjolnir, you’ll be able to jump in the air and press the L2 button to slam down on the ground, which will allow you to destroy some parts of the floor.
As you’ve seen in the trailer in this Teslagrad 2 review, Lumina is certainly a bit faster than the protagonist from the previous entry. To make the most of this, she’ll be able to slide with the L2 button to boost her speed during some of the trickier segments you’ll find during your time with Teslagrad 2. Checking the map will be a big part of your gameplay cycle. You can open it with the Touchpad on the DualSense, or by pressing in on the right analog stick.
It’s been nine years since the prequel got its first chance to shine, and Rain Games has certainly grown as a studio. Along with Teslagrad, they’ve also given us the aforementioned 3D action adventure World to the West, as well as revolution simulator Mesmer. They even gave us Viking Chess: Hnefatafl! The studio is also currently working on the Kickstarter-funded Girl Genius. You can tell that the team has more experience because the attention to detail in Teslagrad 2 is top-notch. Every location you visit will stand out thanks to the solid art direction.
And as was the case for Teslagrad, for this sequel you’ll be searching for some collectibles that will give you access to illustrated cards that tell the story of Teslagrad 2. There are many for you to find, with a total of 81 pieces, so if you’re the type of gamer who likes to 100% games and get its Platinum trophy, this one certainly has a lot for you to do. There’s a lot of backtracking in your future since you won’t be able to collect all of them right away. Late in the game, you’ll gain access to a mighty axe, which is the last ability you’ll need to be able to explore every nook and cranny.
Teslagrad 2 has a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy, and with this game being a Cross-Buy title, you can work on two Platinum trophies for your collection as long as you own a PlayStation 5 console. The list is split into 6 Bronze trophies, 10 Silver trophies, and 7 Gold trophies to work on, along with an extra Bronze trophy by way of DLC. There are trophies for obtaining each of the abilities in the game and trophies for beating each boss, with the rest being tied to collecting all of the cards in the game – all 81 of them! If you need some extra help, you can check out this Teslagrad 2 Trophy Guide.
I enjoyed taking Teslagrad for another spin thanks to the surprise launch of Teslagrad Remastered, and it helped me get ready to dive into Teslagrad 2 on PS5. The sequel improves and expands on everything that Teslagrad Remastered does to present a fresh experience with a new protagonist that some of you might be familiar with from World to the West. It’s certainly a more challenging experience that dials up the difficulty without ever feeling overwhelming.
There are no loading screens to get in the way of the action, with a story that unfolds visually without any text or voiceovers. As you explore Scandinavian-inspired locations, you’ll get to enjoy the orchestral soundtrack influenced by Nordic folk songs, which definitely helps to make this a solid package. Teslagrad 2 is available as a Cross-Buy title, so your $19.99 purchase will give you access to both the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5 versions of the game at no extra cost.
Disclaimer
This Teslagrad 2 review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Modus Games.
