The original Mighty Switch Force! was a game that fit really well with the 3DS platform. The game was simple in mechanics, and offered a nice challenge for players. By having levels being short, with few being beatable around a minute or less, it was great for small play sessions. Also, the addition of par times on each level encouraged speed runs. Now, WayForward is back with Mighty Switch Force! 2. Much like the original MSF! game, the concept is kept intact with some changes.

In Mighty Switch Force! 2, Patricia Wagon is back again. This time around she turns in her police badge to become a fire fighter. Equipped with a water hose now and not a gun. Instead of arresting escapees throughout the levels, you’re rescuing civilians and putting out fires. Various enemies will also fill up the levels, and you’ll be making use of your hose to take them out.

The “Switch” in Mighty Switch Force!, also remains intact in this sequel. By simply pushing a button, you will alter certain blocks around you. If a platform is out of reach, using the switch mechanic will bring a block in from the background to the front. This will then enable you to jump on it to progress. Like with the original Mighty Switch Force!, levels mainly revolve around this mechanic and using the switch mechanic in a quick manner is key to completing these levels in record time.

You will be using your hose a lot to overcome obstacles.

The Good: Levels are varied enough and come with their own sets of challenges. Par times are still back, and there is now a hidden collectible in each level, which adds on to the game’s replayability. The hose adds in a couple new obstacles to overcome, so the level designs show some new ideas at play.

WayForward’s trademark visuals are once again one of the highlights of their games. Their 2D art and animations are always a pleasure to look at, and the work done in MSF! 2 continues that trend. The music is nicely done and catchy. Basically, the presentation in this game is great all around and playing the game in 3D makes it look even better.

A puzzle that requires use of the game’s switching mechanic.

The Bad: Even though you’re now equipped with a hose, it still functions very similar to the gun in the previous Mighty Switch Force! game. So I was little disappointed that the overall mechanics weren’t that much different with the new weapon. Also, the incentives for beating the par times and finding all the hidden objects weren’t that great, but completing those two items wasn’t exactly a hard thing to do. Given the nature of the game revolving around being able to beat levels in mere minutes, it won’t take you too long to complete the game. Even with 16 levels being available, if you’re not into beating the Par times, the game may only keep you occupied for a couple of hours.

Levels become more complex as you progress.

Overall Thoughts: Might Switch Force! 2 plays very much like the previous MSF! game. That’s not a bad thing, but I kind of wanted a bit more new to the overall feel of the game, given that you’re now a firefighter with a hose and not an officer with a gun. It just plays out a bit too similar, while others parts were changed. Regardless, I still had a good time with the game and fans of the first will certainly find enjoyment in this sequel. Controls are simple, the levels are quick and fun to play through, and finding ways to decrease your overall time is always an enjoyable challenge.