Moving Out 2

{{Short description|2023 cooperative moving simulation video game}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}{{Infobox video game

| title = Moving Out 2

| image = Moving Out 2 cover.jpg

| alt =

| caption =

| developer = {{plainlist|

DevM Games
SMG Studio

}}

| publisher = Team17

| designer =

| programmer =

| artist =

| composer =

| series = Moving Out

| engine = Unity{{cite web|url=https://blog.unity.com/games/made-with-unity-2023-review|title=Made with Unity: 2023 in review|work=Unity Technologies|last1=Saver|first1=Michael|last2=Pung|first2=Julia|last3=Stanton|first3=Devon|date=2024-01-04|accessdate=2024-01-13}}

| platforms = {{plainlist|

}}

| released = {{vgrelease|WW|August 15, 2023}}

| genre = Simulation

| modes = Single-player, multiplayer

}}

Moving Out 2 is a 2023 cooperative simulation game developed by SMG Studio and DevM Games and published by Team17. It is a sequel to Moving Out. Players attempt to move objects across various levels without hitting objections. It combines elements of strategy, puzzle, and party video games. Team17 published it for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Gameplay

Players attempt to move items from one location to another while avoiding obstacles. It plays similarly to Moving Out{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/moving-out-2-review|title=Moving Out 2 Review|last=Ogilvie|first=Tristan|work=IGN|date=2023-08-11|accessdate=2023-08-16}} and includes elements of strategy, puzzle, and party video games.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/moving-out-2|title=Moving Out 2 Review (Switch)|last=Dominguez|first=Francisco|work=Nintendo Life|date=2023-08-14|accessdate=2023-08-16}} Later levels include additional environmental elements not found in the first game, such as one-way doors, teleporters, and time-limited passages. It features single-player and cooperative multiplayer, both online and local. Online multiplayer is a first for the series. It supports up to four players at once.

The game also supports a robust list of accessibility features. Similar to the original it has an assist mode which features enabling longer time limits, skipping levels after failing, reduced difficulty and objects disappearing on delivery, among others. Players can also change button mappings, user interface settings (such as font size and color) and disable certain repeating animations on levels to avoid motion sickness.{{cite web |last1=Lockman |first1=Dave |title=Designing Moving Out 2 to be more fun, diverse and inclusive |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2023/08/14/designing-moving-out-2-to-be-more-fun-diverse-and-inclusive/#:~:text=Expanding%20on%20the%20accessibility%20of,subtle%20changes%20like%20reducing%20dangers. |website=Playstation Blog |date=14 August 2023 | publisher=Sony |access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921124056/https://blog.playstation.com/2023/08/14/designing-moving-out-2-to-be-more-fun-diverse-and-inclusive/ |archive-date=21 September 2023}}{{cite web |author1=Marijn |title=Moving Out 2 accessibility and assist modes detailed |url=https://caniplaythat.com/2023/06/05/moving-out-2-accessibility-and-assist-modes-detailed/ |website=Can I Play That |date=5 June 2023 |publisher=Can I Play That? |access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922123757/https://caniplaythat.com/2023/06/05/moving-out-2-accessibility-and-assist-modes-detailed/ |archive-date=22 September 2023}}

Downloadable Content

The first DLC, F.A.R.Tastic Four Pack, was released at the launch of the game and was included with certain pre-orders. It was later released for purchase. It includes four new characters: Chum, Bastion, Hootacris and Cera Tops.{{cite web |title=Moving Out 2 is releasing in just a few short weeks and if you pre-order, you'll get some bonus content. |url=https://expansivedlc.com/moving-out-2-gives-you-the-f-a-r-tastic-four-pack-dlc-as-pre-order-bonus/ |website=Expansive |date=29 July 2023 |access-date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208164401/https://expansivedlc.com/moving-out-2-gives-you-the-f-a-r-tastic-four-pack-dlc-as-pre-order-bonus/ |archive-date=8 February 2024}}{{cite web |title=Moving Out 2 - F.A.R.Tastic Four DLC |url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP4064-PPSA08207_00-MOVINGOUT2DLC001 |website=Playstation Store |publisher=Sony |access-date=8 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208164704/https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP4064-PPSA08207_00-MOVINGOUT2DLC001 |archive-date=8 February 2024}}

Development

Developer SMG Studio is based in Sydney, Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.austrade.gov.au/news/success-stories/aussie-maker-of-moving-out-turns-local-creativity-into-global-exports|title=Aussie maker of Moving Out turns local creativity into global exports|work=Austrade|date=2022-10-12|accessdate=2023-08-21}} Team17 released Moving Out 2 on August 15, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/moving-out-2-launches-august-15|title=Moving Out 2 launches August 15 |last=Romano|first=Sal|work=Gematsu|date=2023-06-16|accessdate=2023-08-16}}

Reception

Moving Out 2 received positive reviews on Metacritic.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/moving-out-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5|title=Moving Out 2|work=Metacritic |accessdate=2023-08-16}} Although they criticized the single-player game for not being as much fun, IGN said the co-op gameplay is "as challenging as it is charming" and praised its humor. Nintendo Life praised the environments, scenarios, humor, and multiplayer, but they criticized the performance on Switch. Slant Magazine called it a "fun-packed, faster-paced, wackier sequel" and said its silliness rests on "enjoyable, rock-solid gameplay".{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/moving-out-2-review/|title=Moving Out 2 Review: Moving on Up|last=Riccio|first=Aaron|work=Slant Magazine|date=2023-08-11|accessdate=2023-08-16}} Push Square said Moving Out 2 "can get a little repetitive" and the gameplay is "quite familiar", but they said it is "a solid good time" when played in bursts. They recommended it to fans of Overcooked and ultimately found it to be "a successful follow-up" to Moving Out.{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/moving-out-2|title=Mini Review: Moving Out 2 (PS5) - Chaotic Co-Op Capers in Safe But Solid Sequel|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|work=Push Square|date=2023-08-11|accessdate=2023-08-16}}