Sparkle 2 Evo
First Sparkle series title, an underwater evolution game.
Sparkle 2 Evo, also written as The Sparkle² evo or Sparkle 2 EVO, is an indie arcade-logic game. It launched the Sparkle series from Forever Entertainment and came before the 2015 title Sparkle 3 Genesis.
The game was created by Madman Theory Games with help from Plastic Games, and published by the Polish studio Forever Entertainment on November 29, 2011, for Windows, macOS, and Linux. A Nintendo Switch port followed on November 2, 2017.
Set underwater, players control a microorganism that eats food to evolve. The more it consumes, the further it develops. The aim is to evolve as much as possible across levels where the player can move freely, rising or sinking through the depths. Two modes exist: one pits the player against an AI-controlled microorganism, while the other is an experimental mode with no opponent, allowing the player to eat food freely.
Reviews were average, with critics noting the game’s simplicity but praising its visuals. Bonus Stage scored it 6/10, calling the AI incompetent but the design and graphics appealing. Nintendo Life gave it 5/10, saying it felt like an underdeveloped proof of concept. German magazine ntower also awarded 5/10, describing the gameplay as extremely simple and lacking real challenges, but visually pleasing and relaxing. Switch Player rated it 2.5/5, finding it uninspired and the gameplay uncompelling.
The game led to several sequels: Sparkle 3 Genesis (2015), Sparkle Zero (2016), and Sparkle 4 Tales (2020).
Quick Facts
- Title
- Sparkle 2 Evo
- Developer
- Madman Theory Games / Plastic Games
- Publisher
- Forever Entertainment
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows
- Released
- November 29, 2011 / Nintendo Switch / November 2, 2017 / PlayStation 4 / May 20, 2021
- Genre
- Logic, arcade
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Sparkle 2 Evo was developed by Madman Theory Games in collaboration with Plastic Games and published by Polish video game development studio Forever Entertainment on November 29, 2011, for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. On November 2, 2017, the game was ported on Nintendo Switch. The game takes place underwater, with the player controlling a microorganism that can eat food to influence its evolution; the more it eats, the further it evolves. The goal is to evolve as far as possible across different levels where the player can move around and rise up or sink into the depths. The game features two modes: one competing against an AI-controlled microorganism, and an experimental mode without competition.
Reader's Guide
Sparkle 2 Evo received average reviews, with critics noting its simplicity while praising its graphics. Bonus Stage gave the game 6 out of 10 points, commenting that the AI is 'pretty incompetent' but that the game 'has a lot of cool design and graphical appeal.' Nintendo Life gave it 5 out of 10 points, stating it 'feels like a proof of concept that isn't given the push it needs to be something more engaging and impactful.' German magazine ntower also gave 5 out of 10, writing that the gameplay is extremely simple with no real challenges, but visually appealing and serving a relaxing purpose. Switch Player described the game as 'uninspired' with 'uncompelling' gameplay, giving it a 2.5/5. The game spawned several successors: Sparkle 3 Genesis (2015), Sparkle Zero (2016), and Sparkle 4 Tales (2020).
Did You Know?
- Sparkle 2 Evo is the first title in Forever Entertainment's Sparkle series.
- The game was ported to Nintendo Switch on November 2, 2017.
- The game features two modes: one against an AI opponent and an experimental mode without competition.
More in Video Games of the 2010s, Part 3 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced