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Pardon the dust! This page includes some jargon that hasn't been added to the site's glossary yet. I'll be around to fix this later, but sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime. |
Review: Escape Goat 2
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:Your progress is saved automatically as you progress through the game. To pause the action, bring up the game's menu by pressing ESC. Time needed per session:Most of the levels can be completed fairly quickly, though you might need some extra time to figure them out. So, plan on playing for at least ten minutes at a time.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians There are references to magic and ghosts throughout the game, with a monster appearing in the final levels. While this sound a little spooky, everything is still fairly tame and isn't likely to be much of a problem. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/escape_goat_2_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/escape_goat_2_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/escape_goat_2_2.jpg)
Game Overview
When we were introduced to the Escape Goat and their little mouse friend, they were trying to break themselves and a group of sheep out of a fantastic prison. This time around, they've come together again in a valiant attempt to rescue another group of sheep from an elaborate dungeon known as the Stronghold of Toragos.
For the most part, this sequel plays like the original game. Thus, if you've already played through Escape Goat, then you're already familiar with the basics: Each level is a puzzle that the goat and mouse can solve by working together. There are buttons to press, creates to smash, grim reapers to avoid, and platforms to climb on. However, many new ingredients have been added, creating entirely new ways for the player to manipulate the environment.
Several of these new items include a broader range of powerups for the mouse. Originally, the only item you were able to find was a magical hat that allowed the pair to swap places on command. You'll see this hat again here, but it's just one of the mouse's abilities this time. Now it can also equip a magical cape that lets you fling the mouse across the room like a bolt of lightning, and a magic hammer that allows you to turn the mouse into a block of stone. Neither may sound like incredible powers, but the trick lies in how you use them.
Perhaps the most striking (and useful) addition to the game is a map screen. This map reveals that every section of the game is connected like a series of rooms. As new areas become available, they will light up on the map, and there's even an indicator that lets you know where lost sheep are hiding. Interestingly enough, you don't actually need to save every lost sheep this time - the exit is in a specific location, and you're free to leave once you've reached that room.
Overall, Escape Goat 2 is an excellent sequel, so if you enjoyed the previous game or just love puzzle games in general, you should consider giving this one a try.
For the most part, this sequel plays like the original game. Thus, if you've already played through Escape Goat, then you're already familiar with the basics: Each level is a puzzle that the goat and mouse can solve by working together. There are buttons to press, creates to smash, grim reapers to avoid, and platforms to climb on. However, many new ingredients have been added, creating entirely new ways for the player to manipulate the environment.
Several of these new items include a broader range of powerups for the mouse. Originally, the only item you were able to find was a magical hat that allowed the pair to swap places on command. You'll see this hat again here, but it's just one of the mouse's abilities this time. Now it can also equip a magical cape that lets you fling the mouse across the room like a bolt of lightning, and a magic hammer that allows you to turn the mouse into a block of stone. Neither may sound like incredible powers, but the trick lies in how you use them.
Perhaps the most striking (and useful) addition to the game is a map screen. This map reveals that every section of the game is connected like a series of rooms. As new areas become available, they will light up on the map, and there's even an indicator that lets you know where lost sheep are hiding. Interestingly enough, you don't actually need to save every lost sheep this time - the exit is in a specific location, and you're free to leave once you've reached that room.
Overall, Escape Goat 2 is an excellent sequel, so if you enjoyed the previous game or just love puzzle games in general, you should consider giving this one a try.
Points of Interest
Over 100 levels
Unlike the first game, which split its levels between the story and an optional bonus section, Escape Goat 2 has its levels arranged like rooms. Each level connects to at least one nearby room in an orderly fashion, with the trapped sheep located at the end of each major area. While most players will probably play through the rooms in sequence, you can skip around as much as you like. The only restriction is that you need to have cleared a path to a room before you can play it.
Included level editor
For the creative types out there, this game also provides a level editor, allowing you to create your own custom levels. However, where the first game didn't provide a way to share them, this one is connected to the Steam Workshop, making it easy to upload and share your work with others.
Secrets
If you look closely at the level map, you'll notice that not every square holds a level. There are empty spaces. These areas are actually secret levels, accessible via a hidden entrance found in a nearby room. Finding your way into these secret rooms is the easy part - the levels themselves are some of the hardest in the game, with the reward being a collectable magic shard.
Steam community features
There's a set of Steam trading cards available, but most puzzle masters are going to be interested in the 16 achievements this game offers. Only one of them has to do with the story's progression; the rest are all awarded for solving specific rooms in very specific ways or finding the hidden secrets. In other words, you could complete the game and still fail to earn a single achievement!
Concerns and Issues
Very mild violence
Nearly every level has you avoiding traps and other obstacles that may injure someone. When someone does get hurt, they'll usually just disappear - the mouse is an exception, as he'll teleport to the goat instead of letting himself get hurt. On the other hand (hoof?) all of the levels restart themselves if the goat ends up getting hurt or killed.
Players also have the option to restart a level on demand; this works by having the goat instantly "die".
Players also have the option to restart a level on demand; this works by having the goat instantly "die".
Some ghostly magic
If you recall, the goat was originally imprisoned for the crime of witchcraft. This set the tone of the series, with the goat and mouse using their combined magical abilities to outsmart reapers and overcome obstacles. This game doesn't mention the goat's history, but it still contains a fair amount of old magic.
In particular, there are ghosts of the stronghold's former visitors, who will talk to the goat when he nears their remains. Towards the end of the game, players with also encounter an undead serpentine monster, which is presumably the Toragos the stronghold is named after. This monster is both an enemy and a part of the final puzzles, as you can use it as a temporary platform or a way to trigger buttons.
Mind you, it's not intentionally helping - it's just trying to eat the goat.
In particular, there are ghosts of the stronghold's former visitors, who will talk to the goat when he nears their remains. Towards the end of the game, players with also encounter an undead serpentine monster, which is presumably the Toragos the stronghold is named after. This monster is both an enemy and a part of the final puzzles, as you can use it as a temporary platform or a way to trigger buttons.
Mind you, it's not intentionally helping - it's just trying to eat the goat.