They Came From the Sky 2 Review

Ever fancied piloting a gigantic alien mech with a penchant for chaos and a soft spot for abducting humans? Look no further than They Came From the Sky 2, a game that tosses you into extraterrestrial mayhem faster than you can say “Take me to your leader.”

This is one of those pick-up-and-play titles that skips the hand-holding tutorial and plunges you straight into the action. You control a towering alien mech equipped with a machine gun for those who prefer the direct approach and a tractor beam for when you feel like adding a few humans to your collection.

The primary objective is straightforward: wreak havoc on the streets, eliminate roaming humans, and abduct them using your tractor beam. Harvested humans serve as the game’s main currency, which you’ll need to purchase upgrades for your mech. It’s a simple loop, cause destruction, collect humans, upgrade, and repeat.

While the initial gameplay is enjoyable, offering that satisfying arcade shooter feel, it doesn’t take long before the grind sets in. Progression is heavily tied to upgrading your mech, but accumulating enough humans to afford these upgrades can become a tedious task. Since abducting humans doesn’t contribute to your immediate survival (and might even put you in harm’s way), you’ll often find yourself sacrificing multiple runs just to stockpile resources.

There’s a point where your basic mech just can’t cut it against the escalating human resistance, forcing you into this repetitive cycle. It’s a classic grind—a mechanic that can either keep players engaged or turn them off entirely, depending on your tolerance for such gameplay loops.

If you’re an achievement enthusiast, this game is an easy win. It’s a straightforward path to snagging that platinum trophy or boosting your gamerscore by 1000 points. For collectors who relish the thrill of ticking off achievements without investing an overwhelming amount of time, this aspect adds significant appeal.

Every so often, a zeppelin boss battle looms on the horizon, promising a shift in pace. However, these encounters require minimal strategy and serve more as a brief diversion than a challenging hurdle. The lack of depth in these battles highlights the game’s overall simplicity—great for casual play, less so for those seeking a more substantial experience.

Where They Came From the Sky 2 truly shines is in its presentation. The art style is quirky and charming, evoking a sense of nostalgia for classic arcade games. The vibrant visuals and humorous take on an alien invasion add a layer of enjoyment that helps balance out some of the repetitive gameplay.

THE VERDICT