Unrailed 2: Back on Track is a cute take on the chaotic co-op genre | Hands-on preview

Unrailed 2: Back on Track is a cute take on the chaotic co-op genre | Hands-on preview

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Unrailed 2: Back on Track is a rollercoaster ride through chaos and camaraderie. With its striking visuals reminiscent of a digital playground and the soundtrack bouncing off the walls like a rubber ball, it’s hard not to be drawn into this whirlwind of rail-laying madness.


In the likeness of children born from Crossy Road and Overcooked!, Unrailed 2: Back on Track is a team-based multiplayer game that challenges you to build railways as swiftly as possible, outpacing an incoming train. You’ll mine for minerals and fell entire forests for resources while racing against friends to erect bridges and tracks to keep the train on schedule. The train will be racing toward its destination, all while avoiding obstacles like bosses and navigating local plant life and wildlife.

Maintaining focus (you catch my drift?) necessitates more than just a touch of teamwork and regular communication with your peers. This endeavor is, in essence, a collaborative effort. And there’s going to be plenty of verbal exchanges…lots of them! It appears that assigning specific roles to each individual, such as lumberjack, miner, or even the one who fetches things when they’re ready, seems effective – at least for a short while before minor disagreements arise. For instance, there could be an issue with the engine overheating and requiring water to prevent it from spewing out hot debris. Or perhaps we’ll encounter a river that needs to be crossed before the train plunges into its depths?

Unrailed 2: Back on Track is a cute take on the chaotic co-op genre | Hands-on preview

In this scenario, friendships can be strained, and family ties may fray. For example: “I don’t mind if you’re on the other side, just grab the bucket! No, not like that, try again from the opposite direction! Bring the shovel too!” I often have to take a deep breath and count to ten to avoid actions I might later regret. This hectic journey, filled with urgency, may cause you to question your life choices and ponder what your alternate self might have done if we hadn’t gone to the pub in 2001.

In this game, each playthrough offers distinct challenges and hurdles due to procedurally generated maps. The appeal of a rogue-lite experience is woven throughout, with permanent power-ups enhancing your abilities and diverse landscapes to explore. As you progress, there seems to be an abundance of items to unlock, such as new carriages for more cargo or even risky resource gambling, character customization options, and ability upgrades. To top it off, you can personalize your animal character with various hats, glasses, and backpacks. Oh, by the way, did I forget to mention that you’ll be playing as an adorable animal? Whether you choose a shark, giraffe, or owl, these charming characters will bring a grin to your face while you may find yourself frustratedly banging your controller on the floor, with tears of frustration streaming down your already smeared cheeks.

Unrailed 2: Back on Track is a cute take on the chaotic co-op genre | Hands-on preview

The gameplay loop, whilst fast and more than a little stressful at times, is actually quite simple in the moment to moment. Controls are straightforward and tasks are clear to understand. Need to cut more wood? Then go grab the axe and just walk into the trees to cut more lumber. It couldn’t be more simple. What is easy to fall foul of, is making only narrow paths for yourself, blocking the route back to where you need to be when everything goes horribly wrong. It’s an easy obstacle to get used to, though, and probably only took me around five hundred attempts to remedy before it became muscle memory.

If you ever find yourself in an unfortunate accident, fear not! You’ll miraculously reappear, floating softly back to the ground inside a balloon. Though some time may pass, you’ll emerge unscathed and ready to jump right back into your daily routine.

Unrailed 2: Back on Track offers a charming spin on the hectic cooperative gaming genre, featuring an upbeat soundtrack and adorable pixelated graphics. This game has a variety of landscapes, trains, and train cars to discover, tasks to accomplish, and numerous play modes that can be enjoyed with friends whether you’re sitting together or playing online. There’s plenty to anticipate in this fun-filled package!

Unrailed 2: Back on Track is set to arrive on time for PC via Steam on November 7th.

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2024-10-14 16:16