Party Hard 2 from Pinoki Games
Party Hard 2 from Pinokl Games is a neon-soaked treat that launched during Hallowe’en this year.
Playing as a masked assailant, each level is a different party in a different location. The goal of each level is to complete the various objectives – murdering specific marks or the entire damned party – without getting caught.
Who’s That Guy in the Mask?
Armed with just a knife and a special Party Vision that allows the player to see interactable objects or cadavers, players must methodically carry out their tasks. If anyone bears witness to a murder, they promptly call the police, and the reign of chaos comes to an end.
Party Hard 2 rewards those with patience. However, let’s not forget, we’re at a party. Many NPCs can be taken out with the knife by simply waiting by a dumpster. Eventually, someone will come outside to vomit or have a cigarette – sometimes both. This is convenient, because bodies can be hidden in dumpsters, but only so many until the dumpster is full. While silently stalking in the shadows can be fun for a bit, the real excitement comes from laying out traps for the unaware.
Use the Environment to Your Advantage
A variety of items can be used to our killer’s advantage in Party Hard 2, from the more blatant, like stun grenades and Molotovs, to items that can extend the range of rigged environmental devices. For example, one of my favorite things to do was cover the dance floor in gasoline, then rig the speakers to explode. I would maniacally stand back and wait for the inevitable, as the fire would spread throughout the dance floor, hopefully taking out one or two of my marks that I couldn’t draw into the shadows.
Many environmental items can be interacted and tampered with. Vending machines, air conditioners, shelves and tables, pianos inexplicably on balconies, vehicles, beer kegs, fire extinguishers…all with the sole purpose of taking out as many party-goers as possible or creating a diversion to help complete an objective.
Killing Them Softly and Slowly
Compared to its predecessor, Party Hard 2 has really stepped it up in terms of polish and scope. Controls have been tightened, the overall aesthetic has a consistent identity, and the levels are considerably larger in size. The cinematics in between levels are beautifully done, with a unique art direction I really enjoyed.
A lot of people have been comparing Party Hard 2 to the Hotline Miami games. They may share a few similarities, but the pacing is what really separates the two.
While Hotline Miami has moments of intense run-and-gun, you won’t find any of that in Party Hard 2. Levels are best enjoyed when completed very carefully. If the player attempts to stab everyone in sight and leave a trail of the dead in their wake, they will find an abrupt end as the law will catch up rather quickly. Instead, the best course of action is always to examine the surroundings and wait for that opportune moment. It will come.
I had a great time with Party Hard 2. It sunk its teeth into me real deep. Upon my second sit-down to play, I ended up just destroying the day by playing for eight hours straight before I realized it. See you later, responsibilities! If you enjoy not just virtual killing but strategic virtual killing, this is the perfect game to wrap up the spooky season.
Party Hard 2 is available via Steam.
[xrr rating=”4.5/5″]
Watch the official trailer for Party Hard 2 below:
