Echo Generation 2 [REVIEW] – A Sci-Fi Deck-building Epic 

Sequels can be tricky, especially when they completely flip the script on what made the original game so endearing in the first place – because believe me, I was a big fan of Echo Generation, and a lot of that came down to its vibe. Echo Generation 2 trades the spooky, small-town mystery of its predecessor for a massive, eccentric sci-fi anthology, which is a pretty bold move, but one that pays off… for the most part. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Instead of following a single linear plot, Echo Generation 2 splits its narrative across six different protagonists in their own isolated chapters before eventually bringing everyone together. The sheer variety on offer is fantastic, with each character bringing something distinct to the tale, whether that’s with Sister M, a superpowered test subject breaking out of a sketchy facility, Jack, a… well… stressed dad (there’s more to it than that but I want to keep some secrets here), or Noliva, an alien bounty hunter travelling with a lightning-powered fox, just to name a few. You don’t need me to go into detail about each narrative thread, but believe me, they’re all exceptionally creative and eventually pull together in an energetically absorbing manner. 

However, because of the structure and length of each of these mini tales, the plot can feel a little disjointed in places, especially towards the conclusion where a few threads don’t completely add up. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing bad at all (and it was still a lot of fun seeing everyone come together), but the sense of adversity could feel a little bit forced. On its own, each narrative thread is a treat – and there’s definitely something really cool about seeing everything come together – but the lack of togetherness along the way can hurt the framing of the finale… but only a little bit. 

One area in which Echo Generation 2 absolutely shines is in its presentation. The signature voxel art style returns, but it looks better than ever, with the lighting, environmental design, and visual effects bringing a whole new sense of beauty to the experience. The richly varied sci-fi settings each look stunning, and backing up these gorgeous visuals is an incredibly catchy, 80s-inspired synth soundtrack. Honestly, the two together feel like pure bait for my tastes, but they also help ensure that Echo Generation 2 offers an audio-visual masterclass that’s hard not to be wowed by. 

“Echo Generation 2 is a thoroughly enjoyable sci-fi adventure that’s only let down by some pacing issues and a harsh difficulty spike at the end.” 

As mentioned, I was a fan of the first game, so I’ll admit, some of the changes introduced to the gameplay here did feel a little bit off-putting at first – specifically in combat, where the traditional turn-based brawling of the first game has been swapped out for a fully-fledged deck-building system. You bring a limited deck of ten cards into a fight, spending energy to unleash attacks, buffs, or heals… so far, so deck-builder, right? What keeps it engaging is how distinct each character feels, with each of the protagonists bringing with them unique abilities that ensure they each feel different to play. It adds a diverse element of strategy to the game, and with players shifting storylines and playable characters, it always keeps you doing something different. 

Combat isn’t entirely passive, either, and while you don’t actively execute attacks with button prompts anymore, you do need to tap a button to block and mitigate incoming damage during the enemy’s turn. There’s also a clever shield-breaking mechanic where matching specific symbols on your attack cards to an enemy’s defence will shatter their guard, meaning a well-thought-out attack can make the difference. Throw in a badge system that grants passive perks and some upgrade paths, and you’ve got a really solid tactical foundation that keeps combat entertaining. Sure, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before, but it’s fun. 

That’s not to say it is without some flaws, though. Because the individual chapters are so brief (they come in at around an hour or so each), you rarely get enough time to truly master a character’s deck before you are whisked away to the next protagonist. The game also throws an overwhelming number of status effects at you, many of which are easily ignored because it’s usually much quicker to just hit hard rather than spend turns dealing with them. There’s a deceptive amount of depth on offer in combat, but it feels like a bit of balancing would have gone a long way in preventing players from simply brute-forcing their way through some scenarios. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

There’s also a REALLY harsh difficulty spike towards the end of the game that feels like it actively works against everything you’ve learnt and built across the adventure. I don’t want to spoil anything – especially since it ties into the finale – but the game just does some things that… well… aren’t very fun. It soured the experience for me, and whilst there is a solid ending that makes the adventure feel worthwhile, that final hour could feel like a bit of a chore. It’s a shame, because the game really does so much right… maybe a patch or two could ensure it gets the satisfying final stretch of gameplay that it deserves. 

Developer: Cococucumber 
Publisher: Cococucumber 
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S 
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1115990/Echo_Generation_2/