Toki Tori 2

Toki Tori 2
Developer(s)Two Tribes B.V.
Publisher(s)Two Tribes B.V.
Rainy FrogJP[1]
Platform(s)Wii U, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux
ReleaseWii U
  • WW: April 4, 2013
  • JP: September 3, 2014
Microsoft Windows, OS X
  • WW: July 11, 2013
Linux
  • WW: January 3, 2014
PlayStation 4
  • WW: February 23, 2016
Nintendo Switch
  • WW: February 23, 2018
Genre(s)Platform, puzzle, Metroidvania[2]
Mode(s)Single Player

Toki Tori 2 is a puzzle platform game, developed by Dutch video game development company Two Tribes. It is the sequel to the 2001 game Toki Tori. The game was originally announced in December 2011 with an intended release for Spring 2012 for Steam and iOS devices (and later as a Wii U game), but the game was pushed back due to longer than expected development times. The game was released on April 4, 2013 for Wii U[3] and on July 11 on Steam for Windows and for Mac OS X.

An updated version called Toki Tori 2+ was released for the Wii U in September 2013, adding new music and puzzles. Toki Tori 2+ made its Linux debut with Humble Bundle X launched on January 3, 2014.[4] The game was later released in Japan and published by Rainy Frog on September 3, 2014.[1] Toki Tori 2+ launched for the Nintendo Switch on February 23, 2018.[5]

Gameplay

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The gameplay in Toki Tori 2 is very different compared to its predecessor, the main difference being the absence of items for Toki Tori to use. These are replaced by two skills that Toki Tori has during the game that are used to manipulate the environment and the creatures within it, the first one being Whistle which generally causes creatures to move closer to Toki Tori as well as being used to whistle songs that perform various actions. The other ability available to Toki Tori is Stomp. Stomp generally scares creatures into moving away from Toki Tori as well as breaking some parts of the environment. There are also other elements that make up the game, for example if Toki Tori walks into water his feathers will become wet which can then be used for other tasks such as walking through cut grass while wet will cause it to grow so it can be used.

Toki Tori 2+ ingame screenshot

The game also features various features that are new to the series, one of these features being the Tokidex. The Tokidex is one of the collectables in the game, as the game is played the player can use a song to bring up the camera which is controlled via the Wii U controller (or through the keyboard on the computer version). This camera is then used to take pictures of the creatures that appear in the world, the player is rewarded for collecting pictures of every creature in the game.

Development

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Before the game was announced it was hinted at numerous times by Two Tribes; the main example of this was a QR Code that could be found in the Windows/Mac port of Edge which led to a countdown timer. When this countdown timer ended it changed to show a picture of a buried Toki Tori skeleton with a hole in the ground next to it.[6] After the countdown ended, Toki Tori 2 was announced shortly after.

When the game was revealed, the work started on the game and at this point Two Tribes invited fans to become part of the development process by providing access to an alpha build of the game through Steam. This started off as a concept art viewer but as new features for the game were created they were implemented into the alpha, such as the level editor. Two Tribes also implemented an input recording function in the alpha which allowed them to ask players to complete tasks or levels in the alpha and then send their recording to Two Tribes for it to be used to improve the game as well as fix bugs.

The level editor for the Wii U was cancelled due to lower than anticipated sales and various technical difficulties.[7]

The planned iOS version of the game was cancelled.[8][9]

Toki Tori 2+ was released on Nintendo Switch eShop in February 2018, officially launching in North America, Europe, and Australia. Described as definite version of the game by Two Tribes, it runs at 1080p in TV Mode and 720p in Handheld Mode and 60 fps and comes with new secrets, HD Rumble, and video capture support.[10][5]

Reception

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Toki Tori 2 received positive reviews. IGN praised the game for its exploration, graphics and subtle controls meanwhile criticising the game for its slow pace and lack of action.[15] Joystiq also praised the game for explorative and non hand holding nature, beautiful artwork and brain-bending puzzles.[16] Nintendo World Report praised the game for its vibrant game play.[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b "We're Live in Japan!". TwoTribes. September 3, 2014. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  2. ^ McFerran, Damien (February 25, 2013). "Two Tribes: Toki Tori 2 Is A Metroidvania-Style Experience". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved July 22, 2016.
  3. ^ "Toki Tori 2 Wii U Release Date Revealed". GamesLatestNews. 21 March 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Toki Tori 2+, Two Tribes And Linux". Gamingonlinux. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  5. ^ a b Reseigh-Lincoln, Dom (16 February 2018). "You Can Pre-Order Toki Tori 2+ Right Now And It's Due Out 23rd Feb". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  6. ^ Toki Tori 2 Dig Picture http://www.twotribes.com/09d6ee2cea36f247/ Archived 2013-09-21 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Wii U Level Editor On Ice". twotribes.com. Two Tribes B.V. Archived from the original on 11 October 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  8. ^ Vroegop, Bastiaan (10 August 2012). "iOS game-update: Pitfall is Game van de Week, nieuwe trailer Toki Tori 2, Dynamite Jack en koopjes". iPhoneclub (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  9. ^ "@TwoTribesGames". Twitter. Twitter, Inc. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  10. ^ "Toki Tori 2+ is OUT NOW on Switch · Two Tribes". twotribes.com. Archived from the original on 2020-05-13. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  11. ^ "Toki Tori 2 for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  12. ^ "Toki Tori 2 + for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 31, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  13. ^ "Toki Tori 2 + for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  14. ^ "Toki Tori 2 + for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on October 31, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Drake, Audrey (April 5, 2013). "Toki Tori 2+ Review". IGN. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  16. ^ a b Kubba, Sinan (April 4, 2013). "Toki Tori 2 review: Not for birdbrains". Joystiq. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  17. ^ Whitehead, Thomas (April 3, 2013). "Toki Tori 2+ Review". NintendoLife. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  18. ^ a b Veillette, Guillaume (April 4, 2013). "Toki Tori 2 Review". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  19. ^ Castle, Matthew (June 8, 2013). "Toki Tori 2+ Review". Official Nintendo Magazine Uk. Archived from the original on June 11, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
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