Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Aggelos 2 PS5 Review - Angel Power Meets Demon Speed in this Retro Inspired Metroidvania

Aggelos 2, developed by Wonderboy Bobi and published by PQube and PixelHeart, is a 2D action-platformer / retro Metroidvania sequel that launches for PS5 (among other platforms) on August 27, 2026, with both digital and physical editions available.

It is a side-scrolling action-platformer in which Angelic combat, precision platforming, and two opposing worlds collide. You play as an Aggelos, the highest order of angels, chosen by Balro to journey through the Kingdom of Lumen, domain of the supreme God of Light. With Lumen under siege and the gods facing defeat by the Army of Darkness, you must embrace a shadowy new form to survive the chaos of both light and dark realms.

The story centers on this celestial conflict. As the Aggelos, you are dispatched into a kingdom under siege, forced to accept and balance your darker side to restore order. The narrative builds on the original game’s struggle for the Kingdom of Lumen, expanding into dual overlapping realms of Light and Darkness that react to your form. The main character is the Aggelos himself, a versatile angelic warrior whose Angel form emphasizes slower, precise, defensive play (absorbing light projectiles and unlocking light-based switches) while the Demon form prioritizes speed, aggression, and dark powers that blast through shadow barriers. Supporting figures such as Balro provide guidance, while the dual-realm structure and polarizing abilities drive both the plot and progression.

Key features include two massive interconnected maps (nearly twice the size of the original), each with unique enemies, secrets, and challenges while incorporating a dual combat system that lets you switch forms on the fly to alter the world and your playstyle as well as confront the 13 large bosses across both realms. That along with puzzles involving skill mastery, route memorization, mechanisms, traps, and environmental interaction make up the lump sum of the experience. All in addition to the ability unlocks (flight, wall grabs, dashes, special attacks), and orb collection for upgrades that boost strength and survivability as well.

The Gameplay ...

Gameplay is classic non-linear 2D exploration and combat in the spirit of Wonder Boy-style adventures and Metroidvanias. You chart paths through labyrinthine overlapping worlds, looping back with new abilities to access previously blocked areas. Combat rewards timing, strategy, and quick reflexes. Angel mode favors disciplined defense, while Demon mode enables aggressive assaults. Platforming demands precision, with form-switching essential for both traversal and survival against hordes of monsters. Mechanics emphasize reactive dual-form play, ability-gated progression, and tactical upgrades via orbs, creating a satisfying loop of exploration, combat, and backtracking.

The Presentation ...

Presentation upgrades the original’s 8-bit style to detailed 16-bit pixel art with sharper sprites, smoother animations, and visual effects that support the faster pace. Environments in the Light and Dark realms look distinct and reactive, enhancing the dual-world fantasy. The soundtrack delivers classic retro 2D side-scrolling energy featuring memorable chiptune inspired tracks that evoke the original while fitting the more detailed 16-bit aesthetic and heightened combat intensity.

The Verdict ...

An ongoing series of  patches addresses early issues such as residual invisible or missing colliders, save-slot time/shield persistence quirks, certain animation freezes or continuous power effects, edge-of-screen texture rendering problems, missing apostrophes in some dialogue (notably Portuguese), a teleport selection glitch, incorrect tutorial textures, and lack of a main-menu warning on death. 

Gameplay-wise Aggelos 2 feels very basic in the way of mechanics execution. The combat and exploration also has this undeniable indie feel that is not as polished as something from AA or AAA developers tends to be. Don't get me wrong though. A lot of heart and soul was poured into this sequel, and the dual realms and angel and demon forms adds something new to the Metroidvania formula. The fact that the game's graphic design is reminiscent of the old Wonder Boy games gives it an added edge of desirability, if nothing else. Deep down I do wish the floaty jumping, and platforming were a little more polished though, and that enemies didn't feel so random. 

Aggelos 2 , as it stands, is an adventure best suited for fans of retro 2D action-platformers and Metroidvanias who enjoyed the original Aggelos, Wonder Boy-style adventures, or tight pixel-art combat-and-exploration hybrids. It rewards precision, form-switching mastery, and exploration without overstaying its welcome. Newcomers to the genre or those seeking modern accessibility features or lengthy narratives may find the old-school challenge and relatively concise story less ideal, but for players craving crisp 16-bit action with a clever dual-realm twist, it is an easy recommendation at its price point.

 


 

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