Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe Review (Switch)

Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe is an ideal 3D platforming game. With the nostalgic feel of the early 2000's, this game brings back those happy feelings, but through an open world rather than your typical hub world/level set-up. It recaptures your childhood gaming experience in a way that still makes the game feel new and unique. So, if you love nostalgia, but also love new adventures, Woodle Tree 2 Deluxe should be your next purchase!
Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe Review (Switch)

Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe Review (Switch)

Introduction

If you like Woodle Tree Adventures, but felt let down because it was a shorter game, then Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe is everything you could want from a follow-up game and more. Heck, even if you’ve never seen Woodle Tree games before now, just wait. This series has the potential to be the next big thing in platform gaming.

Developed by Fabio Ferrara, and published by Chubby Pixel, Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe is an open-world adventure. This game is full of adorable NPCs and in-game add-on options. Between masks, items, and new moves, there are always ways to improve your character. 

Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe was released on the Nintendo eShop in July for only $11.04

Story

You start the game playing as an adorable little tree-person. Much like Woodle Tree Adventures, you must collect water tears and restore life to the guardian trees known as Sages because enemies have stolen the tears, removing their spirits. However, this time you meet several different inhabitants from multiple areas in the world. Each Sage watches over a different area in this universe. In order for the whole world to have protection, you must restore each Sage Protector.

The cutscenes are engaging, and so is the dialogue. The NPCs give you hints and tell you about their little towns. There isn’t a whole lot to say about the story without accidentally ruining the game’s outcome, but, it is definitely a well-developed plot. 

Gameplay

The Basics

Here’s where we get into the good stuff. The mechanics in this game are absolutely phenomenal. If I didn’t know any better, I would think this was a spin-off of Super Mario. Everything feels so smooth. There isn’t any choppiness or game lag. Furthermore, the moves, actions, and hit boxes all feel very accurate. Woodle can double jump and wall jump, run rather quickly, and glide using his leaf. Additionally, just like Woodle Tree Adventures, you can upgrade his leaves. Even better, rather than levels, you search an open world full of new enemies, red and blue berries, and even decor for your house!

A Checkpoint Save!

A Checkpoint Save!

There are also super handy checkpoint saves scattered throughout the world. These checkpoints also act as warping pads. So, if you decide to stop playing, you can simply warp to the closest one and save your progress. You only get one hit point, but the perk is that you don’t have to collect health. Instead, your leaf, which shrinks when you get hit, grows back in a few seconds. However, if you get hit before it grows back, you die and are sent back to your last checkpoint. 

Oh, and perhaps one of the most important things to mention, is that this game also has a local multiplayer option! So, your friends can help you out. Don’t worry, though. For the loners out there, this addition is definitely not required. You can still complete the game without additional help from friends. 

Options and Choices

One of the coolest aspects in Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe is that you can essentially complete it in whatever order you prefer. This is because it is open-world, and because the water tears can be collected at any time. While some areas in the world are more difficult than others, and it is best to prepare yourself for them, you still have the choice to at least explore the entire map. I do recommend turning back and gearing up if you run into things that look unfamiliar or enemies who are too difficult to fight without upgrading your gear. 

Lastly, there are options to invert the cameras and turn off vibrations. Not only that, but the game also gives you an option to change the camera’s sensitivity. So, if you’re particular about your camera settings, you have full control of what they feel like in this game. 

Running through the woods!

Running through the woods!

Graphics and Sound

Graphics

Whether you’re looking up close, or far away into the distance, the game is consistent in its beauty. The graphics are bright and cheery, and the textures are visually pleasing. Each area in the world has a different theme, and each theme has its own colors. This creates diversity and makes the graphics really stand out. There are some cute background additions outside the NPCs and the enemies, which really adds to the naturalistic elements in the game. Woodle, the NPCs, and enemies all have excellent animations, too. This is a strong improvement from Woodle Tree Adventures Deluxe, as the characters appear far more natural than before. 

The settings also include anti-aliasing, which, for those who don’t know, is a graphical technique that makes edges smoother. I personally didn’t notice a huge difference when using this feature. For me, it looks slightly more modern and less retro with anti-aliasing disabled, but aside from that, it feels great either way.

A friend visits Woodle!

A friend visits Woodle!

Sound

Woodle’s action noises are absolutely adorable. They sound completely natural, sounding almost like a short kid jumping up to reach a cookie jar. The enemy sounds are spooky but in a wholesome way. I don’t actually feel fear, but when I hear one, I know it’s time to run.

The music is fitting for each scene. It’s almost always pretty cheery, so there isn’t a different music style indicating danger. But, considering how evenly scattered the enemies are, I think this is a good thing. Constant dynamic music changes could get annoying since there are so many enemies. 

There are never any points throughout the game when I think something is too loud or too quiet. The volume levels feel appropriate. Even if they do bother you, there are settings for the music and sound effect volumes. 

Summary
When I reviewed Woodle Tree Adventures Deluxe for PS4, I said it was the cutest game I had played in ages. However, after playing this follow-up game, I am absolutely blown away. I can't say I've had this much fun since first playing my favorite games like Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot. There is so much to do and so many cute items and clothing options to buy, that even after a week of playing it, I still have much more to collect. It's so enjoyable that it took me a good 10 minutes just to find its few bad points. Call me over-enthusiastic if you want, but the Woodle Tree Series is my favorite new gaming series. The fact that it is less than 12 dollars right now is almost criminal. Hurry up and purchase this game before it blows up and gets expensive! It's too great and far too affordable to pass up!
Good
  • New, Adorable NPCs
  • Better Story and Dialogue
  • Open-World
  • In-game Add-on Items and Customizations
  • Clean Graphics and Mechanics
  • Colorful and Cheery
  • Lots to Explore
Bad
  • Check-point Saves Only
  • Only One Hit-Point
9.6
Amazing

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