Dinsun Review
Dinsun here. The first Evoland was a gimmick—a fun one, but a gimmick nonetheless. Evoland 2 is a real game. It uses the 'evolution' mechanic to tell a surprisingly deep time-travel story. One minute you're playing a Zelda-like, the next it’s a tactical RPG, then a fighting game. It’s ambitious as hell.
My conservative side has to mention that because it tries to do everything, it doesn't do any one thing perfectly. The platforming is a bit stiff, and the card game isn't exactly Gwent. But the sheer variety keeps you engaged for the full 20 hours. It respects the player's intelligence and their history with the hobby. It’s a premium experience with no IAP, which is the only way an RPG should be played. It’s a bit too 'clever' for its own good at times, but I’d rather have that than another idle clicker.
Overall Stats
Pros & Cons
- Incredible variety of gameplay styles
- Engaging and heartfelt story
- High production value across all art styles
- Some gameplay modes feel a bit unpolished
- Can be difficult if you're not familiar with certain genres
- Minor touch control issues in fast segments
Technical Report
Performance: Transitions between art styles are smooth. Controller support is highly recommended.
- Subtitles
- Difficulty modes
Audience Fit
Buy if: You grew up with 8-bit and 16-bit classics and love genre-mashing.
Skip if: You want a consistent gameplay experience throughout.
- Oceanhorn
- Chrono Trigger
- The Messenger
Reviewer Context
- Reviewer: Dinsun, 40yo Retro Enthusiast
- Hardware: iPhone 14 Pro
- Playtime: 18 hours
- Status: Finished the main campaign
