As much as I liked the first Splosion Man, I actually like this sequel a lot more. There isn't much of a plot just simply that your the girlfriend of Splosion Man that has to save him from the evil scientists that created you. That's it in a nutshell but I like that reversal in the damsel in distress cleche; but lets face it like in most to all platform actioneers were in it for the action and we get plenty of that that doesn't disappoint.
Gameplay wise it's pretty much the same you use the physics of explosion to get you to point a to b. However why I really like this game is for one thing it has a little more of an adventure aspect to it, each of the levels have their own theme. There are about 3 levels and 15 stages in each of them, so I think it's a reasonable length. I like that they have alternate routes which gives the game some replay value. When you reach that point you can choose one path or another or even both if you really want to complete all stages within the levels. Sure it may seem short, but trust me it will take a while to get though them due to the amount of patience and practice you invest.
What I really like is the fact that each of the stage designs are a lot more complicated than before and there is a bit more of a puzzle aspect to it all. The way there designed is almost similar to a Rubb Golburg contraption because each of them are based on the cause and effect principle as each of the obsticles are based on certain actions you have to take to get from point A and B. Let alone you have to use the physics of explosions to help get there. It will really be a workout for your brain muscles because it causes you to take your time to think before you figure out the correct course of actions to take.
Also this game is hard, but it's manageable and fair. Each of the obsticales and sittuations are literally a step ahead of you. And from how fast your thrown into it, you literally only have mere seconds to think, act, and orrent yourself witht he situation, which I'll admit made the game a bit tense. But I love that about this game it really is a throwback to some of those games from yesteryear like Mega Man where we really had to work hard to get to even the next part of the stage. Games like this are based on the principle you can't expect to get it right the first time. This game really teaches you to utilize preserverence as well as trial and errior, it may take more than several tries (heck even more than several) but once you get though it it's rewarding because you know it was your skill and thinking that got you through.
Boss battles are great, each of them are divided into rounds and each of the rounds are like puzzles which is a cool apect and shows you can still do more with boss battles. I even like one added aspect where there is a small cut cinema when sometimes the boss might try a move and your caught in it you have a chance to act fast to get out of the situation; as well as a point when the boss is at his weakest you have a chance to do major damage quickly; kinda like in the video game Dragons Lair which is cool since I love that game.
If your a fan of the first Splosion Man or are a fan of the platform action subgenere and your looking for a chalange then I recommend this game. It's explosively entertaining.