Spelunky 2 is finally available after a fairly lengthy development cycle, and fans of the first game have good things to say about the sequel. In fact, critics have lauded Spelunky 2 as one of the top-rated games of this year, getting high marks from outlets like IGN, Game Informer, and US Gamer.
There are plenty of brand new features included in Spelunky 2 that set it apart from its predecessor, but there are also lots of returning features. One such feature is the ability to play the game with friends, but this time Spelunky 2 lets players do runs locally and online.
Online Multiplayer in Spelunky 2
The game has been in development for some time, as Spelunky 2’s release date was delayed back in 2019. However, it seems that extra time has given creator Derek Yu the chance to polish up the experience. Players can still enjoy Spelunky 2 locally by selecting “Play” on the main menu, and then choosing “Adventure” while having local friends join the game. While the original Spelunky had local multiplayer support across its various platforms, the game did not have online multiplayer.
Spelunky 2 does support online multiplayer, and it’s easy to access. Players can find an “Online” tab in the main menu and select it, then either add friends to their team or search online to find random players who can fill out remaining slots. In the Online menu for PS4, players can press Triangle to invite friends in online play or press Square to enable matchmaking and search for random players. When players are ready to start their adventure, they just need to hit the X button to ready up.
No Crossplay in Spelunky 2
Unfortunately, Spelunky 2 does not feature crossplay support, with no official word on whether or not it will be added in the future. That means that players using Spelunky 2 on PlayStation 4 can only play with other PlayStation 4 owners. Thankfully, there is always the option for players to join with friends locally if they do not also own the game.
However, some players may not want to play online all the time, as Spelunky 2’s multiplayer can get a bit hectic. The original Spelunky is an incredibly hard game, and having too many players on screen moving independently can cause some chaos. Playing with friends does have its benefits though, as living players can earn the chance to revive others over the course of a dungeon. If players are having a particularly tough time in Spelunky 2 or just want some backup, playing online may be the way to go.
Spelunky 2 is available now on PS4 and will be available September 29 on Steam.