At bottom, the mechanics for this game are mostly pretty typical turn-based, party-based JRPG fare. But the graphics and the terminology and the worldbuilding are just so compellingly bizarre that it may take you many hours of playing before you even notice that. You're basically dropped into this surreal hallucination and have to find your bearings. It makes you feel like you're discovering the genre for the first time. That's not to say the game doesn't play with the trappings of the genre – instead of leveling, for instance, each stat has a different way of being boosted (I won't spoil the particulars); and the light platforming elements add something fresh and make moving around the world more fun (if often frustrating – more on that below).

But a lot of the pleasure here comes just from immersing yourself in this totally idiosyncratic environment. The world Lindroth has created feels so fully realized, and the strange, often very funny writing really helps to sell that. This is the rare RPG where you actually want to talk to every NPC you can find, just so you don't miss out on dialogue like "I've worked as a calthemite motivator, a sympathetic jumper, and a contract extruder. Seems I've finally settled on juice ranching" or "It all comes down to thoughtful use of comestibles." Just about every element is handled with such radical creativity and style, that typically rote genre tropes become actually enjoyable. To give just one example: whereas in lots of other RPGs I inevitably get frustrated with having to watch the long spell-casting animations over and over, the animations in Hylics are all so stunningly beautiful that watching them again and again is a joy. And I'd be remiss not to mention the killer soundtrack, which complements the visuals and writing perfectly.

The fact that this is a one-person passion project means you can expect some wonky mechanics and whatnot. As I mentioned, the platforming aspect can often be frustrating, since the art style sometimes makes depth perception really difficult. The absence of a leveling system can create some balance issues when it comes to enemy vs player strength. And although the puzzle-solving elements were mostly enjoyable, I sometimes got stuck not knowing what to do next and had to watch a guide or playthrough vid to be able to progress. The mashup of genres keeps things fresh, but it can also sometimes feel like Lindroth had an idea for another game entirely, and just decided to fold it into this one: the arcade-style platformer mini-game you need to play to progress at one point (and which unlocks a bonus at another) was too difficult for my taste, and could be a major stumbling block for someone who's not a skilled platformer player; and the old school, Dungeon Master-esque 1st person 3D dungeon crawler segment had me banging my head against a wall getting lost amidst a bunch of identical looking drab brick corridors. The strengths and charms of the game more than make up for its shortcomings though, and more often than not Lindroth uses the game's limitations to its own advantage, often cleverly turning a clunky element into a bit of absurdist humor (one favorite example: the way Wayne climbs ladders by simply jumping straight upward with a totally stiff body is pure gold).

Long story short: this is one of the most unique games I've played in a long time, and one of the most aesthetically pleasurable I've played ever. It's really no wonder this has garnered the cult following it has. If you have even the slightest interest in RPGs, and a taste for the unconventional, this is more than worth the 15 bucks to give a try.

I played Hylics 1 last summer and I have to say that it left me boggled out. The atmosphere of the game is incredible and the art style was something that I didn't know I needed. I don't exactly know how to explain the sense of need on that sentence but it's something close to when you meet someone that makes you feel comfortable in a way that feels natural, if that makes any sense. I also picture this game like being at my warm cozy room while is raining the hell out outside while listening to Riders of the Storm by The Doors. I shall add that The Return of the Obra Dinn also makes me feel that way. These kind of feelings are what I pursue in my life and the ones that make me feel happy.

Now that I'm writing this review, I'm starting to wonder: why did the atmosphere made me feel like that? The music is unique, alike his graphic style. And when I say unique, I'm not being hyperbolic. The only resemble that I could hear in the OST was some John Frusciante licks that I'd put my finger on that they inspired Mason Lindroth on the making of the soundtrack. The same goes to the graphic style. It doesn't really get to be claymation. To me, it's more like abstract claymation mixed up with something else that I'm not able to identify. Whatever it is, I'm grateful that Mason took inspiration from it because it looks impressive.

As boggled out as I was when I finished Hylics 1, I thought that the formula had a huge room of improvement and cool things could be made if Mason dealt his cards right. Did he do that? Yes, indeed.

Hylics 2 came up with a more ambicious idea of a video game. As much as I liked Hylics 1, it kind of felt like a demo or like an announcement of good stuff on the way. Both clauses are inclusive, right? So Lindroth took the formula of Hylics and enhanced it.

The story in Hylics is "interesting" because, even though it might seem obvious, the lack of narration allows the players to come up with crazy plausible theories of what the universe is about. However, this is not the main attractive of Hylics 2 (hence why I wrote "interesting").

The length of the game feels right, without filler. This point is something that I highly value because feeling that a game is draining your time is a really bad hint of how I may end up with it (usually, mad).

The combat system follows a similar line as Hylics 1. However, I felt that Hylics 2 was a bit more fast paced in the combats, which is a cool point. The animations and the UI have been greatly improved compared to the first title and the variety of enemies didn't make me feel tired, which is something unusual coming from a RPG.

The platforming introduction in the open world is something that didn't make me happy. It's a good attempt as a feature but the controls felt quirky and inaccurate. At least, the 2D mini games felt more refined on this matter but, on the other hand, I didn't like them much. They felt scattered and didn't have the same harmony as the main game, which is a shame because the concept shows so much potential and Little Wayne looks hella cute. Xeno Arcadia is a banger.

Speaking of which, I have this funny perspective of the OST. While I do think that the Hylics 2 OST fits so fucking good with the world and has themes like That's a Big Stick.. and Prevailing Westerlies, I really miss the sentimental and nostalgic vibe of the first. But hey, the first soundtrack of the game wouldn't fit with this second delivery of the franchise because of its more colourful world. I'm glad that both soundtracks and worlds can coexist :)

The graphic style is my favourite out of all the games that I have played. Furthermore, it is one of my favourite art that I have ever seen in any form of media. The game is gorgeous. The 3D view of the aircraft and the first person view of the labyrinth adds even more variety to the palette of styles used, and even variety to the gameplay.

As much as I like Hylics 2, it left me with a similar feeling when I completed the first game: I strongly believe that the Hylics formula can go even further and give us an even better Hylics game. This one felt more of an adventure than the first and this feeling is what I think Mason is aiming at. I think that he can someday make his own Earthbound or whatever title (or titles) he's looking up to. I'm willing to wait until that day and the fellow shows enough potential to achieve it.

Congrats to Mason Lindroth and Chick Salamone for this beautiful craft. Can't wait until his/their next release.

Very much like the first Hylics with improvements and some changes. The biggest change being the switch to a more 3d style with increased production. The art style stays with the switch though - which is good if you like Hylics - Hylics being the sort of game you play for the style and atmosphere over anything else. It's just fun to explore the world and characters. If it's your first time playing, explore as much as you can and take heed to what some characters say - it may help you, especially with poolmen.

A great sequel, but a less perfect game. There's a greater emphasis on combat and movement, but the combat is easily broken and the movement is somewhat deliberately obtuse to a fault. My point being that neither of those things are why I liked the first Hylics. It was easy and chill. The combat is interesting from a conventional RPG sense, but I can just play SMT or any of the classics if I want great RPG combat. Same goes for the movement. I come to Hylics for the vibes.

Vibes-wise A++++++++. I love this game as a sequel. I just find that the attempts to refine elements from the first game undermine those vibes.

(There is full well a possibility that there's some sub-textual stuff going on relating to the movement and RPG mechanics that I need to ruminate on so these are definitely NOT my final thoughts)

Didn't play much of this one so I'm not going to say much for this review. The first Hylics was an okay game propped up by its surrealist art style and music. I heard the second game was a big improvement on the first, but all I got from the couple of hours I played was more of the same, only this time the dialog wasn't AI generated.

I think I've gotten to the point where I need more than "weird for the sake of weird" for a game like this to hold my attention for longer than an hour or 2. All this game adds is better looking animations, a more interactive overworld that's mildly annoying to navigate, and 2D platforming segments that are initially novel until you realize how godawful the controls and physics are.

Not a bad game necessarily, but when watching a playthrough of a game on Youtube is going to give you almost the same experience as playing it I'm not going to put in the effort.

Hylics 2 is much more something you experience rather than play, and it was exactly intended it to be that way. This is one of the most visually stunning games I've ever seen, and is a drastic improvement over the first's. From the mesmerizing movement in battles, to the absolutely jammed open world full of secrets and interesting areas, and a soundtrack that has some absolutely banger and straight-up weird tracks. Definitely a must play for anyone who's a fan of surreal art, or at all thinks the aesthetics of this game look interesting as you really play for the visuals in this game.

Hylics 2 has one of the most unique and impressive art designs in any game and Mason Lindroth went WAYYY over the call of duty for this sequel. He improved the game in so many ways and added so many interesting movements such as the air dash (which is insanely satisfying) and even an air ship you can fly around in this surreal claymation starfox section. This game rules and about the only things I disliked from it was that it was too short and the labyrinth section (which is optional) was really confusing. Mason Lindroth please make more games because your art is truly next level.