As a lover of quirky, unconventional experiences, I eagerly plunged into the vibrant world of Sludge Life 2. While I haven’t played the original, I could tell that this sequel apparently had enormous shoes to fill, with an overwhelmingly positive score on Steam. It certainly didn’t take long to see why. With its unique blend of graffiti art, exploration, collection-a-thon gameplay, and some social commentary that was obvious but not pretentious, Sludge Life 2 delivered a chill little ride through a city with vibes as rancid as they were charming. While concise and decisive in its experience, this short little game isn’t going to be what everyone is looking for, but that’s fine. It knows what it wants to be and you can respect it for that.
One of the standout features of Sludge Life 2 is its mesmerizing visual design. The game’s graphics are a blend of low-poly models, vibrant colors, and surreal environments. Each location within the game’s urban sprawl feels meticulously crafted yet simple at the same time, with attention to detail that immerses players in a dystopian world filled with graffiti-covered walls, buildings sinking into tar, and strange characters.
The developers have created a truly unique and otherworldly environment with psychedelic aesthetics and mind-bending architecture. Interacting with the strange world and the strange characters within, who also somehow manage to remain grounded and believable, made it feel like I was walking through a vivid hallucination. The game’s visuals are a testament to the creative vision behind Sludge Life 2, which sets out to create a vibe so thick you can taste it. The whole game is a feast for the eyes, managing to be rancid and beautiful at the same time.
The game’s polluted slums really up the colorful expression of the graffiti you leave around the city, making it feel like you’re breathing new life and color into the dreary world. The way the color pops in the grungy atmosphere makes it feel like you’re doing the world a service with every tag, which is a beautiful tribute to the art of graffiti as a whole.
Sludge Life 2 encourages players to explore its open-world environment at their own pace, which creates a sense of freedom and discovery. There are no linear objectives or strict missions to follow, allowing you to engage with the world and characters as you see fit. This open-ended approach pairs really well with the gameplay, which is sort of a relaxed parkour collect-a-thon.
The game’s emphasis on exploration and experimentation can be both a strength and a weakness. It allows for a more organic and personal experience, where players can uncover hidden areas, secrets, and easter eggs. However, the lack of clear objectives and guidance may leave some players feeling lost or unsure of what to do next though.
For example, it took me about an hour of searching before I was able to find Big Mud, which is either a testament to what I’m saying or shows how stupid I can be because I was playing with a guide. In the game’s defense, however, I hadn’t yet figured out at this point that the game wasn’t about completing missions or pushing a narrative forward. The game reasonably expected me to be exploring the world and tagging at this point, confident that I would stumble on Big Mud naturally while doing so. Truly enjoying Sludge Life 2 requires a certain willingness to let go of expectations and embrace the unconventional nature of the gameplay.
Graffiti is the heart of Sludge Life 2. While there are plenty of gadgets to find, a few mini-games to play, and a ton of characters to talk to, the real core of the game is finding and tagging all 100 graffiti locations around the map. I’ve already described how the game pays homage to graffiti art, championing the art form as a way to bring color to a world that demands you be dull. The game figuratively and literally challenges you to subvert the status quo, as unconventional paths and platforming are your only way to fully complete the game.
One of the notable points of contention I can see players having with Sludge Life 2 is its brevity. The game can be completed in about four hours. To some players, this makes Sludge Life 2 a concise little experience, while others may be left feeling unsatisfied. While the focus on quality over quantity is admirable, it does limit the game’s replayability and long-term enjoyment.
Once players have explored the city, interacted with characters, and created their graffiti masterpieces, there is little incentive to revisit the game. There won’t be anything new waiting for you in a new game. However, for those who appreciate shorter, focused experiences or are captivated by the game’s atmosphere, Sludge Life 2 can still provide a unique and memorable journey.
For such a strong focus on graffiti, I feel like Sludge Life 2 falls a bit short when it comes to expression and gameplay depth. You might think the game allows you to tag freely in the allotted spaces, but instead it fills in some pre-made decals for you. In a community where self-expression is so important, what I’d normally call a minor nitpick feels like it should have been more important to the game’s design.
Sludge Life is an indie darling that excels in its unique art style, open-world exploration, and strange characters. The grungy environments and emphasis on subverting the status quo are core to the game’s soul. However, the game falls short in its depth of gameplay mechanics, and the lack of longevity might put some off, especially if you just couldn’t get enough of the first game.
The Final Word
If you appreciate unconventional and visually captivating experiences, Sludge Life 2 offers a distinctive journey through a world filled with peculiar characters and a vibrant urban landscape. However, those seeking a more narratively satisfying adventure should probably look elsewhere. Sludge Life 2 is a game that will appeal to a specific audience, but not all players will find it to be a lasting and fulfilling experience.
7
Try Hard Guides was provided with a PC review copy of this game. Find more detailed looks at popular and upcoming titles in the Game Reviews section of our website! Sludge Life 2 is available on Steam, Epic Games and GoG.