Just as likely to break windows and knock down doors as it was to temporarily fracture friendships, 2020’s Moving Out was a raucously entertaining co-op game that turned the typically tiresome task of shifting furniture into a giddy form of slapstick. The hilariously chaotic couch-carrying fundamentals of the original remain relatively unchanged in Moving Out 2, but the formula has been refreshed to a substantial degree. The game introduces a more outlandish approach to level design and added environmental interactivity that brings a bit more depth to the furniture-flinging strategy.
Multiverses may well have been done to death by superhero movies at this point, but Moving Out 2 uses them to good effect by placing you into entertainingly absurd scenarios. The small town of Packmore becomes the stage for interdimensional portals, leading your team of heavy lifters to steer their delivery truck through tears in the fabric of space and time to pick up and pack an assortment of quirky cargo. From navigating gingerbread roulette tables to avoiding sliding obstacles in a tilting cottage, Moving Out 2 is stacked high with personality.
The central gameplay of Moving Out 2 remains true to its predecessor. Ferrying objects to the designated drop-off point in tandem with your co-op partner is a delicate dance that involves careful verbal coordination and constant battle between your combined inertia and the obstacles in your path. The roster of bizarro bobblehead movers feels deliberately clumsy, adding to the hilarity of the gameplay. While the opening set of levels may initially feel like a standalone expansion pack, Moving Out 2 introduces welcome environmental enhancements that bring noticeable points of difference. There are new ways to complete each moving job, such as playing beer pong with a toaster or piloting a wrecking ball drone, adding variety and excitement to the gameplay.
Moving Out 2 also places a greater emphasis on carefully planning your routes through each level. Doors that only open one way, color-coded portal gates, and depleting batteries that control the opening and closing of doors all add to the challenge. The game requires more coordination and communication from players, resulting in a mix of frustration and elation as you tackle each level.
The game strikes a balance between more involved objectives and instantly gratifying goals, offering straightforward score attack stages alongside elaborate tasks. The three main parallel worlds – Snackmore, Middle Folkmore, and Pactropolis – provide distinct and entertaining experiences, leading to a wacky mash-up in the final endgame realm. Moving Out 2 keeps players engaged and entertained throughout their journey.
While some scenarios may be more popular than others, Moving Out 2 never stagnates. It constantly introduces new elements like ziplines, pulley systems, and even drivable trains, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting. The addition of levels where you have to move in and furnish a house in reverse adds a new twist to the gameplay, allowing for creative and comedic moments.
Despite some minor issues, such as characters occasionally dropping items and missing presentational flourishes, Moving Out 2 remains a highly enjoyable co-op experience. The game incentivizes players to explore and discover hidden unlockables, adding replay value. While solo play remains the least enjoyable way to experience the game, the addition of online multiplayer allows players to clear houses with friends from the comfort of their own homes.
Moving Out 2 delivers tightly packed tension and hilarity in every level. It takes the mundane task of moving furniture and transforms it into an outrageous and entertaining experience. With its refreshing approach to level design and added interactivity, Moving Out 2 is a must-play for fans of the original and newcomers alike.
