Heave Ho 2

This silly budget-friendly sequel preserves the winning formula of the original, while peppering in some new elements to add to the challenge and fun.

Seven years after its predecessor, Heave Ho 2 improves its cooperative formula but sacrifices the single-player mode in favor of multiplayer, further encouraged by the GameShare feature on Switch. A fluid technical performance and the introduction of unpredictable mechanics make it an excellent product in its genre. It is highly recommended to play privately with people you know well, because playing with randoms in public lobbies makes the game lose most of its magic.

Heave Ho 2 reinvents itself with brilliant ideas and outstanding Switch 2 integration; camera, GameChat and GameShare turn it into a must-play multiplayer riot, as long as you play with company.

Whether you're in it for its challenging co-op campaign or exciting party match-ups, there's a ton of top-notch fun to be had in Heave Ho 2.

Heave Ho 2 is difficult to get under control, and some challenges become frustrating when a small mistake ruins an otherwise good attempt. That being said, playing through it with my wife resulted in plenty of moments where our carefully discussed plan ended within seconds. The variation between regular campaign levels kept us interested, while Showdown offered a fun reason to turn against each other for a while. It takes patience, and you need a co-op partner who can laugh when things go wrong for the tenth time but if you find one of those, you’ll have a blast with Heave Ho 2 for sure!

Heave Ho 2 perfectly captures what made the original special and builds its new offering on that foundation without losing its identity. The wider variety of levels, online play, and new objectives make this sequel a more complete and longer-lasting experience, even though some ideas don’t quite work out and the competitive mode falls a bit short. An excellent game to enjoy with friends, packed with unpredictable situations, cooperation, and that signature chaos that turns every mistake into a laugh.

This type of gameplay still has its limitations, but Le Cartel Studio has made a significant leap forward compared to the original. The levels offer more than just a color scheme or a simple constraint - the developers truly embraced their central themes, requiring you to navigate the rocket and even solve small puzzles. All of this happens while everyone gathered in front of the screen is constantly smiling (the fun grows along with the number of players). Just keep in mind that it is a rather short game - a one-off experience with little incentive to replay it with the same group (which is reflected in the accessible price point).