Following on from The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf comes the next instalment from OSome Studios and Microids, The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone.
In a similar fashion to its predecessor, The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone sees a new invention from Handy Smurf with the SmurfoMixi. A revolutionary device that can mix with its environment to change function and increase its capabilities. However, the new invention is not quite complete and Handy Smurf seeks the power of the Green Stone to finish it off. Tracking it down to Gargamel’s laboratory, Handy is too late and the stone explodes during one of Gargamel’s experiments and the fragments are scattered across the land.
Our mission, with the use of the SmurfoMixi and the various capabilities of the different Smurfs, is to retrieve the fragments and defeat a new enemy released from the stone – the evil Stolas.
After enjoying The Smurfs: Mission Vileaf, I was excited to jump into The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone. However, whilst it is still a fun and enjoyable game, it is really much of the same and it seemed to be shorter. I actually completed this game in a few hours across two nights.
Playable characters include Smurfstorm, Brainy Smurf, Dimwitty Smurf and Handy Smurf. Each Smurf character lends a unique ability to use with the SmurfoMixi weapon. Storm’s special is a Hurricane Arrow that is great for a precision strike for hitting enemies hard and taking them out with a single hit. Dimitty’s is a Carott’n, a beacon that draws the enemies in and then attacks them. Brainy Smurf has an Alchemical Mixture that is like a grenade or bomb for taking out large groups of enemies. Handy Smurf has the TurboMix, a super fire rate to hit enemies hard and fast.
The SmurfoMixi also has core abilities that enhance the platforming capabilities of all the characters, as well as other upgradable stats like Health, Fire Rate, Damage, Melee and Weak Point (critical hit). Each ability is upgraded by collecting fragments of Green Stone was you traverse each level. There are also the classic platforming moves of jump, double-jump and dash that you will need to master to make it through each of the levels of The Cursed Land.
As a platforming game alone, The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone is fun and challenging, but for the seasoned platform gamer, the challenge is somewhat lacklustre. The story itself is well written and the dialogue is just as good as the previous games. The classic Smurfs trope of replacing random words with iterations of the word ‘Smurf’ was amusing but did become quite tiresome over time.
The gameplay is fun, but I did find myself just holding down the trigger for long periods, hitting as many things as possible. The run and gun style seemed too simple and the challenge to beat the enemies didn’t appear all that difficult. I also played it on a harder setting, yet still found it relatively easy. It is clear that it is designed for the less experienced gamer, but it was still fun to play.
Whilst the core story of The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone is pretty short, three main missions over a few hours, and I was done. there are still some re-playable components to the game. Much like its predecessor, there are some challenges to complete along the way with a timed battles to destroy all enemies within an allotted time, have the shortest time and win the platinum medal. There is also a challenge within each of the levels to collect all the Green Stone fragments along the way which is great for completionists that like to hit 100% at everything. You can even collect and upgrade your look by exchanging your Green Stone fragments for SmurfoMixi skins and new looks for your character.
Overall, whilst the core story is short, The Smurfs 2: Prisoner of the Green Stone does have longevity and is an easy game to just pick up and jump back into. Although, I wouldn’t see myself paying full price for a game that I could complete in less than a day. However if you think this will be fun for you and if you see it on the PS+ or GamePass stores for free, then definitely grab it and give it a whirl. This game just might just surprise you.
The Smurfs 2: The Prisoner of the Green Stone is available now on PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.