Windjammers 2

{{seealso|Windjammers (video game)#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay of Windjammers}}

File:Windjammers 2 gameplay screenshot.jpg into their's opponent's goal while protecting their own.]]

Windjammers 2 is a sports game played from a top-down perspective, in which players must try to throw a flying disc into their opponent's goal while protecting their own. Players can earn 3 or 5 points by landing the disc into their opponent's goal in the yellow or red zones respectively, but if they fail to catch the disc before it hits the ground, this is called a "Miss" and the opponent gets 2 points. Players win a set by achieving a certain number points, and win the match by winning the most sets.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/windjammers-2-is-coming-to-pc-next-year/|title=Windjammers 2 is coming to PC next year|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=PC Gamer|date=August 20, 2018|accessdate=January 23, 2019}}

Players can choose from the 10 playable characters; besides all six characters from the original Windjammers, there are four all-new characters, namely Jao Raposa of Brazil, Max Hurricane of Canada, Sammy Ho of China, and Sophie De Lys of France.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/3/17815404/windjammers-2-switch-pc-release|title=Flying disk sports return with Windjammers 2 for Switch and PC|first=Michael|last=Futter|work=Polygon|date=September 3, 2018|accessdate=January 23, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115225030/https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/3/17815404/windjammers-2-switch-pc-release|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Denzer |first=TJ |date=21 January 2022 |title=How to unlock secret character Disc Man - Windjammers 2 |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/128448/how-to-unlock-secret-character-disc-man-windjammers-2 |website=Shacknews}} There is also a secret playable character called Disc Man, who can be unlocked by performing a particular trick while at the character selection screen. Two additional characters, Anna Szalinski of Poland and the cyborg Jamma GX03, were added as part of a free update, bringing the total to 13.{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Windjammers 2 Free DLC Update Brings Crossplay, New Characters, And More |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/10/windjammers-2-free-dlc-update-brings-crossplay-new-characters-and-more |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=Nintendo Life}} Each character has their own attributes. For instance, some characters have more steady control than others at the cost of speed.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/48110/windjammers-2-switch-hands-on-preview|title=Windjammers 2 (Switch) Hands-on Preview|first=Daan|last=Kooplan|work=Nintendo World Report|date=August 26, 2018|accessdate=January 23, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115225007/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/48110/windjammers-2-switch-hands-on-preview|url-status=live}} There are EX Moves, which are special powers can be that activated for gameplay advantages. Players can compete on 10 different courts, including all six courts from Windjammers, which feature different goal zones and gameplay properties.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/with-streets-of-rage-4-and-windjammers-2-dotemu-shows-it-has-a-nose-for-nostalgia-521334.phtml|title=With Streets of Rage 4 and Windjammers 2, Dotemu shows it has a nose for nostalgia|first=CJ|last=Andriessen|date=September 5, 2019|accessdate=January 23, 2019|work=Destructoid|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115225042/https://www.destructoid.com/with-streets-of-rage-4-and-windjammers-2-dotemu-shows-it-has-a-nose-for-nostalgia-521334.phtml|url-status=live}} Both single-player and local multiplayer modes are featured. The game includes an "Arcade Mode", where multiple matches are played through championships.{{cite web|title=New Windjammers 2 Trailer Reveals Arcade Mode And The Return Of Steve Miller|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/02/new_windjammers_2_trailer_reveals_arcade_mode_and_the_return_of_steve_miller|first=Kate|last=Gray|website=Nintendo Life|date=February 5, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2021}} Windjammers 2 launched with cross-platform play between the Windows and Xbox One versions, later expanded to all systems following an update in October 2023.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=November 17, 2021 |title=Windjammers 2 adds Xbox One version, 'Sammy Ho and Jordi Costa' trailer |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/11/windjammers-2-adds-xbox-one-version-sammy-ho-and-jordi-costa-trailer |access-date=November 17, 2021 |website=Gematsu}}

Dotemu, the game's developer and publisher, approached Paon DP, the intellectual property owner for Windjammers, a chance to develop a port to the original game and develop a brand new game in the series. In order to be faithful to the original game, Kevin Delbrayelle, who had retro-engineered the first game's program codes during the production of its port, returned to lead the sequel's technical development. Similar to Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap and Streets of Rage 4, the game features hand-drawn 2D animation visuals.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/08/windjammers_2_will_have_switch_owners_in_a_spin_next_year|title=Windjammers 2 Will Have Switch Owners In A Spin Next Year|first=Damien|last=McFerran|work=Nintendo Life|date=August 20, 2018|accessdate=January 23, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115225031/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/08/windjammers_2_will_have_switch_owners_in_a_spin_next_year|url-status=live}} The game's pre-production started in late 2017 and the title was officially announced during a Nintendo Direct held in August 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/10/14/dotemu-talk-about-the-challenges-of-making-a-sequel-to-a-cult-classic-with-windjammers-2/|title=Dotemu Talk About The Challenges Of Making A Sequel To A Cult Classic With Windjammers 2|first=Alistair|last=Wang|work=Siliconera|date=October 14, 2018|accessdate=January 23, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115225007/https://www.siliconera.com/dotemu-talk-about-the-challenges-of-making-a-sequel-to-a-cult-classic-with-windjammers-2/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/08/20/nintendos-latest-batch-indie-game-reveals-includes-windjammers-2/|title=Nintendo's latest batch of indie game reveals includes Windjammers 2|first=Marshall|last=Lemon|work=VG 247|date=August 20, 2018|accessdate=January 23, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115225022/https://www.vg247.com/2018/08/20/nintendos-latest-batch-indie-game-reveals-includes-windjammers-2/|url-status=live}}

The game was planned for a 2019 release on Nintendo Switch and Windows,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/419841-windjammers-two-confirmed-for-switch-in-2019|title=Windjammers 2 Officially Confirmed, Set for Switch in 2019|first=Tom|last=Power|work=Game Revolution|date=August 20, 2018|accessdate=January 23, 2019|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115225009/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/419841-windjammers-two-confirmed-for-switch-in-2019|url-status=live}} but got delayed to early 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.dotemu.com/windjammers-2-is-set-to-toss-on-google-stadia-early-2020/|title=Windjammers 2 Is Set To Toss On Google Stadia Early 2020!|work=Dotemu|date=August 19, 2019|accessdate=March 15, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115225006/https://www.dotemu.com/windjammers-2-is-set-to-toss-on-google-stadia-early-2020/|url-status=live}} In December 2020, Dotemu confirmed that the game was delayed again to 2021.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=December 10, 2020 |title=Windjammers 2 delayed to 2021 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/12/windjammers-2-delayed-to-2021 |work=Gematsu}} Over the course of its development, versions for PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One were also added. The game was released on January 20, 2022.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Windjammers 2 launches January 20, 2022 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/12/windjammers-2-launches-january-20-2022 |website=Gematsu}} A version for Amazon Luna was made available on November 4, 2022.{{Cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/amazonluna/status/1588599434698362880 |number=1588599434698362880 |access-date=March 20, 2023 |website=Twitter |user=amazonluna |title=#NewonLuna+: Windjammers 2 |language=en}}

A free update in October 2023 added two additional characters, a training mode, and reworked online functionality, including cross-platform play on all systems, a spectator mode, and online lobby support.

{{Video game reviews

| MC = NS: 78/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/windjammers-2/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=WindJammers 2 for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=March 2, 2022}}
PC: 79/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/windjammers-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=WindJammers 2 for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 5, 2022}}
PS4: 74/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/windjammers-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=WindJammers 2 for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 5, 2022}}
XONE: 80/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/windjammers-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=WindJammers 2 for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 7, 2022}}

| Destruct = 7.5/10{{cite web |last=Handley |first=Zoey |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-windjammers-2-pc-switch-xbox-ps4/ |title=Review: Windjammers 2 |website=Destructoid |accessdate=January 20, 2022}}

| GI = 6.75/10{{cite web |last=Stewart |first=Marcus |date=January 21, 2022 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/windjammers-2/windjammers-2-review-a-fading-adrenaline-rush |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121224149/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/windjammers-2/windjammers-2-review-a-fading-adrenaline-rush |url-status=live |archive-date=January 21, 2022 |title=Windjammers 2 Review – A Fading Adrenaline Rush |publisher=Game Informer |access-date=January 21, 2022}}

| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |last=Kemps |first=Heidi |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/windjammers-2-review-spin-to-win/1900-6417815/ |title=Windjammers 2 Review - Spin To Win |website=GameSpot |accessdate=January 20, 2022}}

| HCG = 4/5{{cite web |last=LeClair |first=Kyle |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-windjammers-2/417444/ |title=Review: Windjammers 2 |website=Hardcore Gamer |accessdate=January 20, 2022}}

| IGN = 8/10{{cite web |last=Northup |first=Travis |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/windjammers-2-review |title=Windjammers 2 Review |website=IGN |accessdate=January 20, 2022}}

| NLife = 9/10{{cite web |last=O'Reilly |first=PJ |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/windjammers-2 |title=Windjammers 2 Review (Switch eShop) |website=Nintendo Life |accessdate=January 20, 2022}}

| PCGUS = 70/100{{cite web |last=Greer |first=Sam |date=January 26, 2022 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/windjammers-2-review/ |title=Windjammers 2 review |website=PC Gamer |accessdate=January 26, 2022}}

| SN = 8/10{{cite web |last=Denzer |first=TJ |date=January 20, 2022 |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/128412/windjammers-2-review-big-swingin-discs |title=Windjammers 2 review: Big swingin' discs |website=Shacknews |accessdate=January 20, 2022}}

| TG = 4/5{{cite web |last=Reuben |first=Nic |date=February 3, 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/feb/03/windjammers-2-review-sports-game-joy-of-the-arcade |title=Windjammers 2 review – resuscitated sports game brings back joy of the arcade |website=The Guardian |accessdate=February 3, 2022}}

}}

Windjammers 2 received "generally favorable" reviews from critics for most platforms, according to review aggregator Metacritic; the PlayStation 4 version received "mixed or average" reviews.

Eurogamer gave the title a positive review, praising how faithful the gameplay was to the original: "Indeed, this is a more conservative thing than Streets of Rage 4, in part by necessity - the fundamentals are precisely the same, and beneath the glossy new visuals the movement of each character and the arc of the discus exactly the same on an old Astro City as they are playing on an OLED Switch".{{Cite web|last=Robinson|first=Martin|date=2022-01-21|title=Windjammers 2 review - tasteful revival of a cult classic|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-21-windjammers-2-review-tasteful-revival-of-a-cult-classic|access-date=2022-01-31|website=Eurogamer|language=en}} Nintendo Life liked the new visuals, saying that they were a "match for the artistic overhaul we saw in Streets of Rage 4". TouchArcade disliked the introduction of the game's mechanic, stating: "Newcomers are going to have to be patient as they learn the ropes, because the game frankly does a miserable job of teaching its mechanics. There’s no training mode, and the CPU opponent is quite aggressive for a beginner even on easy difficulty".{{Cite web |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=24 January 2022 |title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring 'Demon Gaze Extra' and 'Windjammers 2', Plus New Releases and the Latest Sales |url=https://toucharcade.com/2022/01/24/demon-gaze-extra-switch-review-windjammers-2-labyrinth-legend-nintendo-sales-deals-list-january-24/ |access-date=2022-01-31 |website=TouchArcade |language=en-US}} IGN appreciated how every move had a "logical counter" to it, with the reviewer saying: "I never felt like I was the victim of unfair tactics or an exploit of some kind".''

PCMag liked how the different playstyles of each character led to interesting match-ups, giving an example of "Do you counter Brazil's super-speedster, J. Raposa, with another swift-footed character, or do you go with a powerhouse like Germany's musclebound K. Wessel?".{{Cite web |last=L. Wilson |first=Jeffrey |date=January 20, 2022 |title=Windjammers 2 (for PC) Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/windjammers-2-for-pc |access-date=2022-02-01 |website=PCMagazine |language=en}} Destructoid praised the hand-drawn 2D art, but criticized the control scheme, writing" "My issue with playing Windjammers 2 was that the throw button is also the dash button, and you’re almost always dashing to intercept the saucer. Asking me to take my finger off the dash button was a tricky proposition since I felt like my momentum was best maintained with just the throw and lob". Game Informer praised the game's controls, depth, presentation, and soundtrack, but heavily criticized the lack of substantial content beyond the main portion of the game and the lack of a good in-game tutorial. GameSpot praised the fun gameplay, increased depth, and online play while criticizing the lack of accessibility and low amount of content on offer. PC Gamer found the characters and pacing to be appealing but criticized the game's punishing difficulty. Shacknews similarly lauded the mix new and returning content, smooth gameplay, visual style, soundtrack, netcode, options, and performance, while taking issue with the arcade difficulty, lack of balancing, and lack of accessibility.

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{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.dotemu.com/game/windjammers-2/}}

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