Christmas gaming has officially started in our house! I’ve been playing The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas from Outright Games and Dr.Suess Enterprises on PC, and as someone who is always happy to squeeze a bit of Christmas in early, I was looking forward to giving this one a go.
The Grinch is one of those characters we all know, whether it’s from the original Dr. Seuss story or one of the films, and this time around he’s actually trying to save Christmas rather than steal it. Quite the turnaround!
If you enjoy colourful platform games with lots to collect and explore along the way, this should be right up your street. And yes, there is plenty of snow, Christmas music and general Who-ville madness too.
What Is The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas About?
The story picks up with a very different Grinch. His heart is now three sizes bigger and he wants to prove just how much he has changed by creating the most spectacular Christmas tree Who-ville has ever seen. Naturally, it isn’t quite as simple as popping down to the local garden centre and buying a box of baubles. You need to travel through different areas, tackle platforming challenges and collect ornaments and decorations to eventually create the big Christmas tree in Who-ville Square.
There are 23 levels spread across four different worlds: the Grinch’s Cave, Mt. Crumpit, Who Wood and Who-ville, so there’s plenty to work your way through.
Playing The Grinch 2 On PC
As I mentioned earlier, I played the game on PC. This is a 3D platformer, so you’re running around, jumping between platforms, avoiding obstacles, dealing with enemies and hunting down collectables.
I quite like games like this because you can just sit down and play without having to remember 700 different controls or spend half an hour working out what you’re supposed to be doing.
It’s also a game that encourages you to have a proper nosey around.
There are things tucked away as you explore, so rather than racing straight towards the end of each level, I found myself checking different areas to see what I could find. If you’re the sort of person who has to collect everything before moving on, you’ll probably get plenty out of it.
The Gadgets Are Good Fun
As you make your way through the game, the Grinch has a few gadgets to help him out.
There’s a Jetpack, Rocket Skates and a Snowball Maker, which give you different ways to get around and tackle obstacles.
The Rocket Skates are fun to use because they add a bit more pace to the gameplay, while the Jetpack comes in handy when you need to get across trickier areas.
They also help break things up so you’re not simply jumping from one platform to another for the entire game.
It Looks Really Christmassy
One of my favourite things about the game is probably the setting. It’s bright, colourful and very festive without everything looking exactly the same. You go from the snowy slopes of Mt. Crumpit to Who-ville itself, as well as exploring Who Wood and the Grinch’s Cave.
Each area has its own look and different things to tackle, which helps keep the levels interesting as you move through the game. Who-ville is exactly the sort of wonderfully bonkers place you’d expect it to be, too.
If you’re playing this around Christmas, it’s a perfect cosy game to get you in the festive spirit. I’d happily stick this on during one of those lazy December afternoons when it’s freezing outside and nobody particularly wants to go anywhere.
You Can Play Together Too
Although I played The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas myself, there is also a local co-op option. A second player can join in as Max, with the Grinch and Max using their different abilities to work through levels, overcome obstacles and find collectables together.
I think this is a nice addition, particularly for families with younger children. An adult or older sibling can jump in rather than sitting on the side giving increasingly unhelpful instructions!
What Did I Think?
I had fun with this one. It’s one of those games that’s very easy to sit and play for a while without taking it too seriously. The levels move along nicely, the gadgets add a bit of variety, and there’s enough going on to stop it from feeling like you’re doing the same thing over and over again.
The Christmas setting obviously gives it a big head start for me too. Snowy levels, Who-ville, decorations and the Grinch running around on Rocket Skates? I’m sold.
It’s also nice to have a game that younger players can get stuck into without the difficulty suddenly ramping up and turning what was supposed to be a fun afternoon into someone rage-quitting and throwing a controller onto the sofa.
Who Would Enjoy It?
I’d say this one is particularly suited to families, younger gamers and anyone who enjoys easy-going 3D platformers.
Grinch fans will obviously get more from the characters and setting, but you don’t need to know everything about him beforehand to understand what’s going on.
It’s not a game that’s going to seriously test seasoned gamers, but that’s not really what it’s trying to do. It’s a fun, family-friendly platformer that’s especially nice to play in the run-up to Christmas.
Where Can You Play The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas?
Buy The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas below on the following platforms:
This looks like a cute game and perfect to get you in the Christmas mood. I will have to tell my eldest about it as she loves the Grinch!
That sounds really cute and fun.
so, you’re a gamer too
This looks fab – not a game fan but my neices are
My niece would probably like this game.
It sounds like a fun game for those who love them. Thanks for the introduction. #MMBC