The Monkey's Paw of Game Sequels: A Cautionary Tale of Heave Ho 2
When I first heard about Heave Ho 2, I couldn’t help but think of the classic tale of the monkey’s paw—that eerie artifact that grants wishes but twists them into curses. The original Heave Ho was a delightful surprise in 2019, a game that blended chaotic physics-based gameplay with a quirky sense of humor. It was the kind of game you’d play with friends, laughing as you flung your stretchy characters across absurd levels. So, when the sequel promised online multiplayer—a feature sorely missing from the first installment—I was excited. But as I’ve come to realize, sometimes getting what you wish for isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
The Double-Edged Sword of Online Multiplayer
Let’s start with the good: Heave Ho 2 delivers on its promise of online co-op, and it does so remarkably well. The gameplay is as tight and hilarious as ever, with the added bonus of being able to sabotage your friends from across the globe. Personally, I think this is a huge step forward for the series, especially for players who don’t always have friends nearby for local co-op sessions. The fart button, while utterly unnecessary, is a hilarious addition that perfectly captures the game’s absurd spirit.
But here’s where the monkey’s paw twist comes in: Heave Ho 2 is multiplayer-only. No solo play. No bots. No AI companions. This decision feels like a glaring oversight, especially for a game that’s also available on PC. If you take a step back and think about it, the appeal of a portable system like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally is the ability to play on-the-go. But without solo options, the PC version loses a significant chunk of its accessibility. It’s like the developers granted our wish for online play but took away the flexibility that made the original so endearing.
What many people don’t realize is that multiplayer-only games often alienate a portion of their audience. Not everyone has a steady group of friends to play with, and relying on matchmaking can be hit or miss. In my opinion, this limitation feels like a missed opportunity. The original Heave Ho allowed for solo play, which made it a versatile game for any situation. Heave Ho 2, on the other hand, feels more like a party game that requires a party—and not everyone is always invited to one.
The Battle Mode: A Redundant Addition?
Another detail that I find especially interesting is the inclusion of a battle mode. On paper, it sounds like a fun twist on the co-op formula. But in practice, it feels redundant. The core gameplay of Heave Ho is already inherently competitive, even when you’re supposedly working together. What this really suggests is that the developers might have been stretching to justify the sequel’s existence.
From my perspective, the battle mode doesn’t add much to the experience. The real joy of Heave Ho has always been the chaotic cooperation—the moments where you’re both helping and hindering each other. A dedicated battle mode feels like an afterthought, a feature added for the sake of saying there’s something new.
The Visuals and Sound: More of the Same, But Is That a Bad Thing?
One thing that immediately stands out is how little the visuals and sound have changed from the original. The graphics are still charming, with their bright, cartoonish aesthetic, and the soundtrack remains as forgettable as ever. Personally, I think this is a case where “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The original’s art style was perfect for its tone, and there was no need to reinvent the wheel.
However, it’s worth noting that this lack of evolution might disappoint players looking for something fresh. In a world where sequels often strive to outdo their predecessors with flashy upgrades, Heave Ho 2 feels content to stay in its lane. While I appreciate the consistency, it also makes the game feel more like an expansion pack than a full-fledged sequel.
The Fun Factor: A Step Back Despite the Laughs
Here’s where the commentary gets a bit harsh: Heave Ho 2 is still fun, but it’s a less accessible, less versatile version of its predecessor. The removal of solo play feels like a monkey’s paw consequence—a wish granted at a steep cost. What makes this particularly fascinating is how it highlights the delicate balance between innovation and preservation in game design.
If you take a step back and think about it, sequels are often about refining what worked while addressing what didn’t. Heave Ho 2 does the latter by adding online multiplayer, but it does so at the expense of the former by removing solo play. This raises a deeper question: Is it better to take risks and potentially alienate part of your audience, or play it safe and risk stagnation?
Final Thoughts: A Sequel That Feels Like a Side Step
In my opinion, Heave Ho 2 is a game that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. It’s a fantastic party game when you have friends to play with, but its multiplayer-only focus limits its appeal. The addition of online co-op is a welcome one, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that the developers sacrificed too much to make it happen.
What this really suggests is that sometimes, less is more. The original Heave Ho was a simple, versatile game that you could enjoy in almost any situation. Heave Ho 2 feels like a step sideways—a game that’s more focused on what it can take away than what it can add.
Personally, I think the sequel is a missed opportunity. It’s still a fun game, don’t get me wrong, but it’s one that feels constrained by its own design choices. If you’re a die-hard fan of the series and have a steady group of friends to play with, you’ll likely enjoy it. But for everyone else, the original might still be the better choice.
As I reflect on Heave Ho 2, I can’t help but think about the broader implications for game sequels. In a world where players crave innovation, sometimes the best approach is to preserve what works. But when you try to fix what isn’t broken, you risk breaking something else in the process. And in the case of Heave Ho 2, that’s exactly what happened.
Final Verdict: 7.5
Heave Ho 2 is available now on PC, Switch, and Switch 2.
Reviewed on Intel i7-12700H, 16GB RAM, RTX 3060 6GB, and Asus ROG Ally.
A copy of Heave Ho 2 was provided by the publisher (https://www.devolverdigital.com/).
