The Smurfs 2 Videogame Review: Smurferific

Game Reviewed: The Smurfs 2

Release Date: July 23rd, 2013

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: WayForward Technologies

Platform: [Reviewed: PlayStation 3], XBOX 360

Genre: Platformer

Rated: E For Everyone

“La La, La La La La Sing a Happy Song!” What a smurftastic time it is as this summer we are graced with The Smurfs 2; not only in theatres , but to home consoles as well. Under the development of WayForward Technologies, the game looks like a solid platformer on paper. Let’s see exactly where the Smurfs will take us.

Only two Smurfs initially came to mind, Clumsy and Smurfette. Being that the beautiful Smurfette starts off locked and appears to be the LAST unlockable smurf, Clumsy it is!

It’s Smurfette’s birthday and all of the Smurfs have gathered to show their love and appreciation. That is until Gargamel appeared. While all of the Smurfs have been running for dear life, a suspicious portal has opened. In the land where all is good, Smurfette was snatched away by a mysterious stranger. The evildoer went a step further, brainwashing all of the forest creatures into wild mean animals.

Throughout the fiasco, Papa Smurf was bumped, knocking all of the special portation crystals into the air, swallowed by the smurfs as they fell in their mouths.

As you jump into portals, characters are platforming their way across huge, colorful environments. The game takes you from the Enchanted Forest, New York to Paris and more, all with amazing details.

Smurfs will collect blueberries, coins and other various items in each level. You’ll immediately notice that some maps are dedicated specifically for certain smurfs based on their unique abilities.

Most creatures will release potions after going down, turning the world in a temporarily “happy” environment. During this time, creatures will still attack at will but points double on your blueberry findings. Enemies are pretty simple to defeat as stomping on them will squash them to nonexistence. The boss levels may be a bit more of a challenge, but quite exhilarating.

All of the smurfs have their own unique abilities to help them succeed through the story. Grumpy for example can break the blocks on the ground, Papa Smurf tosses potions that freezes enemies, and Clumsy can cannonball into enemies.

Coins can be found through every level allowing you to unlock the scattered  smurfs. As you find anywhere between 3-5 coins, you begin to unlock all of the lost smurfs throughout the world. Completing boss levels will also unlock the playable lost smurfs.

Controls are simplistic, Nintendo-like. Left thumbstick, X and Square is all that is used in the Smurfs 2. The story will defiantly draw players end, also serving a bit of replay value as some of the must have characters must be earned and are key to completing some levels and earning all five coins.

Smurfs 2 the videogame exceeded my expectations. When looking over the E rated titles like Smurfs you ask yourself  “ would I want this” or “will my kids like this game?” The answer is YES! It’s a four player co-op, friends can instantly drop-in/drop-out.  Most importantly, it didn’t feel like a game that kids would only pick up once.

The Scores

Gameplay: 4.25/5

Visuals: 4.5/5

Audio: 4.25/5

Controls: 5/5

Value: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4/5