Acclaimed for its great graphics and gameplay, created by iconic developers Derek Yu of Mossmouth and Blitworks, Spelunky 2 has won the hearts of many. This game is the sequel to Spelunky, developed for PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The player will take on the character of Ana, the character’s daughter, in the first game as she searches the moon for her lost parents.
Spelunky 2 Premise
Spelunky 2 is a 2-D platforming game. As the main protagonist’s daughter, Ana, players will search through various dangerous cave systems with the threat of deadly creatures. Each level of Spelunky 2 features several layers to be explored by the player, adding depth to the gameplay. When Ana dies, she will restart from the beginning unless the player unlocks the tunnel shortcuts found below. This game not only features single-playing, but it also supports online four-playing.
Main Characters within the Game
There are 20 spelunkers to play throughout the game. Four characters are available to players at the beginning of the game, and the remaining 16 need to be unlocked to take advantage of their spelunking capabilities. A brief preview of some of the playable characters include:
- Ana Spelunky: Main character
- Margaret Tunnel: Dreams of buying her own pirate ship
- Colin Northward: Inquisitive artist obsessed with the curse of the caves
- Liz Mutton: Adventurer who enjoys people but still needs her own space
- Nekka the Eagle: Warrior chief who wants to confront the gods about the issues of the universe.
Spelunky 2 Titles in the Series
There are only two titles within the series. The first is Spelunky, published in 2008 for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360. The first game was unique because the tunnels players explore are procedurally generated, making them a new experience every time. The second title in the series is Spelunky 2, published in 2020.
Cheats for the Game
Spelunky 2 Safe and easy stealing from shopkeepers
To easily kill shopkeepers, simply use rope. Before attacking a shopkeeper, look and see if they have any explosive objects. Shotguns, certain weapons, and bomb bags will explode when shot. When ready, walk up and stand directly on a shopkeeper. Launch a rope in his tiny cubby hole for him to be ejected out of the shop without his shotgun. Grab it and shoot the shopkeeper. Sometimes, shopkeepers will drop keys, this only happens if there is a locked room beneath the shop. Throw the key away if it drops and grab the shotgun instead.
Shopkeepers are quick, even without weapons. If there are bombs or other explosives in the shop, leave or walk past them before shooting the shotgun and killing the shopkeeper. Note: Killing a shopkeeper will mark the player as an enemy for the rest of the game. They will get a great weapon early, but more shopkeepers will hunt you on each level. Any shopkeepers that spawn will patrol their shops with weapons drawn, and they do not spawn additional items.
The level exits will also be guarded by one or two shopkeepers. Thus, this is a high risk, high reward option. If there are multiple useful items that will make the rest of the run easy, try going for it. Players can also use the shotgun to kill future shopkeepers in later areas or use the money to unlock shortcuts.
Shortcuts
There are three shortcuts that can be unlocked at different points in the game. The first shortcut is located under the Quillback boss in Level 1-4. Starting from the shortcut will give you access to either of the two (left or right) paths. Exiting Level 1-4 will lead to an encounter with Terra. Fulfill her three requests to unlock a shortcut. Go left of the main door to find the shortcut paths once they are unlocked.
Shortcut 1: Start at the bottom of the final Dwelling, Level 1-4.
Request 1: 2,000 Gold
Request 2: 1 Bomb
Request 3: 10,000 Gold
Shortcut 2: Start at the bottom of Olmec’s Lair, Level 3-1.
Request 1: 1 Rope
Request 2: Any weapon — Shotguns, Bow guns, Machetes. Boomerangs are the easiest to find in the Jungle.
Request 3: Any mount — Turkeys from the Dwelling or the Diamond Dogs in Volcana count.
Shortcut 3: Start that the bottom of the final Tide Pool, Level 4-4.
Request 1: 50,000 Gold
Request 2: Hired Hand — You can always get a Hired Hand where bonus characters spawn.
Request 3: Gold Key — Special Key that spawns in the Dwelling, Level 1-2 or 1-3. You must bring it all the way down.
For completing one shortcut, you will get the “Mama’s Little Helper” trophy. For completing two shortcuts, you will get the “Mama’s Big Helper” trophy.
Trophies
Successfully complete one of the following tasks to get a trophy:
The Full Spelunky (Platinum): Obtain all other trophies.
Seen It All (Gold): Complete the Journal.
Ironman (Silver): Complete the game without using shortcuts in a non-seeded, single player run.
Low Scorer (Silver): Complete the game with no gold in a non-seeded, single player run.
Mama’s Big Helper (Silver): Unlock all three shortcuts.
Millionaire (Silver): End a run with $1,000,000 or more in a non-seeded, single player run.
Seen a Lot (Silver): Complete 50% of the Journal or more.
Speedlunky (Silver): Complete the game in 10 minutes or less without shortcuts in a non-seeded, single player run.
VIP (Silver): Enter Madame Tusk’s Palace of Pleasure as a guest (in a non-seeded run).
Arena Champion (Bronze): Win a First-to-Five Deathmatch against three bots using the Default ruleset.
Feels Good (Bronze): Make it past 1-4 in a non-seeded run.
Journeyman (Bronze): Complete the game in a non-seeded run.
Mama’s Little Helper (Bronze): Unlock the first shortcut.
Support a Local Business (Bronze): Buy out Yang’s Pet Shop in a non-seeded run.
Track Star (Bronze): Finish the Tutorial Speedrun in under 30 seconds.
Turkey Whisperer (Bronze): Bring two turkeys to Yang in a non-seeded run.
You Got This (Bronze): Unlock the entrance in a non-seeded run.
Additionally, there are 15 secret trophies:
Awakened (Gold): Reach the Cosmic Ocean in a non-seeded, single-player run.
Legendary (Gold): Reach the City of Gold in a non-seeded, single-player run.
Master (Gold): Complete the game by defeating Hundun in a non-seeded, single-player run.
Survivor (Gold): Complete the Sun Challenge in a non-seeded run.
A Second Chance (Silver): Obtain the Ankh in a non-seeded run.
Chosen One (Silver): Obtain the Tablet of Destiny in a non-seeded run.
Parenthood (Silver): Wake the Eggplant Child in a non-seeded run.
Pilgrim (Silver): Reach the Sunken City in a non-seeded, single-player run.
Torchbearer (Silver): Complete the Star Challenge in a non-seeded run.
Divine Right (Bronze): Obtain some royal headwear in a non-seeded run.
Excavator (Bronze): Complete the Moon Challenge in a non-seeded run.
Her Favorite (Bronze): Obtain the Kapala in a non-seeded run.
Persistent (Bronze): Reach the Ice Caves in a non-seeded run.
Shadow Shopper (Bronze): Reach the Black Market in a non-seeded run.
Skills Improving (Bronze): Make it past Olmec’s Lair in a non-seeded run.