Your mask is not powerful enough!

Guacamelee is probably one of the most fun co-op games I’ve played of late. Both challenging and rewarding platforming and an interesting and varied combat system lead me to this conclusion.

The co-op works really well, bringing 50-hit multi-person suplex combo’s into boss fights and precarious platform jump-fighting while dodging projectiles to the story portion. The fights become a lot funnier and more chaotic and the platforming becomes more difficult as in many places it requires good timing between the 2 of you. (There is a get-out on the platforming though, Super Mario Bros Wii style where 1 person can bubble up and bypass anything you don’t like or find too difficult).

There are no real tutorials in the game, a very brief introduction to a new move, and then the level and environment around you utilizes that and previously learned moves together in order to teach you how to use it. This in many places gives a feeling of accomplishment upon clearing the screen.

There are myriad retro gaming references throughout (I’m sure we missed quite a few subtle ones too) which make you crack a smile whenever you come across them.

The story is different and interesting, the writing is humorous and entertaining and the main characters encourage you to keep playing and then put up a decent fight when they stop running away. Each fight is different and the patterns are quite quick to learn so you don’t feel it slows down the pace of the game which is generally pretty fast and action packed.

There are some side quests along the way, no tracker of any kind, in fact, not even a true notification that it is a quest sometimes; just a conversation with an NPC that sounds suspiciously like they want you to fetch something for them. There are also collectibles that boost your health (Heart container) or stamina (sugar skull) which encourage you to stop and grab them as you zip on past.

Overall this game is a great for co-op and I’m sure is good fun even if you’re flying solo, highly recommend you play this if you get a chance. Similar games would be Shank / Mark of the Ninja.