REVIEW: Peggle 2

A strong leap into the next generation from PopCap …or did they miss the bucket?
DISCLAIMER: All images in this article are captured from the GameDVR on Xbox One, then screencapped from the video As a result, they have small compression issues and only render approximately 720p. The full game runs 1080p with no compression.

(A typical Peggle level.)

On December 13th, 2013, a wondrous creation was released, and yet so far no mention of it has made it to XboxMAD. Given how fun the game is, I’m surprised there hasn’t been great uproar among XboxMAD.net readers that Peggle 2 hasn’t received the review it so rightly deserves sooner.

(It’s not just pinball.)

For the newcomers out there, Peggle 2 is essentially a fusion of pinball and a puzzle game. In fact, it is really a high tech reimagining or an age old game called bagatelle…

The goal is to fire a silver ball into a field of orange and blue pegs, removing every one the ball bounces off. You have ten shots to clear every orange peg on the board, but you can increase that number with high scoring rounds or managing to get your ball to finish its run by landing in a moving bucket at the bottom of the field.

You finish each level in a blaze of glory known as Extreme Fever, in which Beethoven blares out and fireworks go off as you will your ball into the highest of the scoring goes at the bottom of the screen. If you manage to clear every peg on the board you will be granted Ultra Extreme Fever, meaning regardless of which bucket your ball lands in, you will score the full 100,000 point super bonus.

(Bjorn becomes a temporary hipster.)

Peggle 2 is a fun step on from the original, but not a massive leap by any measure. A few new mechanics have been added, such as pegs which must be hit twice to be scored. There are a total of seven masters with new powers and now each with their own theme tune (two of which are available through a dirt cheap DLC). Bjorn makes his triumphant comeback, and certainly steals the show with his Ode to Joy. Masters like Jeff and Gnorman have more creative and effective powers in cleaning up pegs, and new tunes to hear as you play.

In short, you are paying for more Peggle, and that’s alright. There are 50 new levels and 50 new trials, with another 10 of each in the DLC containing a new master with a new power.

Each of the levels is wonderfully laid out and the difficulty is balanced and graded well. It makes the game easy to get into, but a real challenge by the end of each 10 level set. Trials, for the uninitiated, are unusual, specifically laid out boards with a special challenge to be accomplished. There are goals to score over X points, to score under 175,000 points, to clear the board, or even to get a special style shot. My personal favourites are the challenges that require you to discover new ways to employ your master’s power. Those are great fun.

(One of my favourite trial levels.)

The Master Powers work simply: Hit a green peg, and for the next x rounds (and sometimes as soon as you hit it) you will activate your master’s power, which inevitably gains you some serious pointage. The powers can vary from giving you advanced aiming through to creating shockwaves that will take out all the pegs around whichever one you hit.

Hit a purple peg, and you will get a score bonus depending on your multiplier (displayed on the edge of your screen) -which also affects point count received from hitting blue and orange pegs as well.

As said earlier, hit a ball into the moving bucket at the bottom of the screen, and you will get a free ball. Once you get good enough, you can combine free balls to actually receive more than you lose. You can receive a free ball by:
-Hitting 25,000 points in one shot
-In the same shot, hitting 75,000
-In the same shot, hitting 150,000
-Scoring in the bucket
You could, in theory, get four free balls in one shot. Good luck to you on that one though.

(Bjorn’s Super Guide isn’t that super.)

On the technical side of things, the game renders a full 2,073,600 pixels progressively, achieving a full 1080p image. The framerate is almost always smooth, but occasionally, the game can hiccup during a shot (rare) and crush the framerate into the teens before forcing it back up to the desired amount. Usually, however, you will be able to sweep dozens of levels before encountering any slowdown.

The aesthetic of the game is bright and colourful, and if you don’t like that sort of visual, it may initially put you off the game. However, I promise you will grow to enjoy the cheesy but loveable animations for each master through the levels Even the backgrounds end up becoming a nice compliment to the scene.

(HD Graveyard Simulator/Peggle 2.)

The multiplayer component of the game comes in two forms: Duel (Local, Private, or Online) or Peg Party (Private or Online). Duel pits two players against each other using the same board, giving each player five shots to clear it.

The aim of the game is to hit enough so that you beat your opponent, but not too much to let them hit Extreme Fever. If you miss an orange peg, say goodbye to 25% of your score. Peggle is a harsh mistress that way.

Peg Party puts up to four players in a competitive game against each other, each using separate versions of the same board. 10 shots each to reach Extreme Fever, or at least get the highest score possible. Style shots can push your score above the others, or your master’s magic could give you some serious combos. Its competitive, but still friendly. Peg Party is the perfect post Battlefield comedown.

(The Duel mode, the more engaging of the two.)

In summary, Popcap’s Peggle 2 is a very well executed gameHowever, the enjoyment caused by the game and the low price tag definitely means it’s worth a download.

Peggle 2 was released on December 13th 2013 and is available to download on Xbox 360 and Xbox One now, although I reviewed the Xbox One version. It carries a price tag of £11.99 and a single DLC to add an extra master for £1.59.