Bud Spencer & Terence Hill - Slaps and Beans 2

If you grew up watching the mythical movies of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill, get ready for a nostalgia trip full of punches and absurd humor. Slaps and Beans 2 not only pays homage to these icons of Italian cinema, but also polishes the formula of the first game to offer a more complete and enjoyable arcade experience. Developed by Trinity Team, this retro-flavored beat 'em up returns with more levels, new mini-games and a crazy story, loyal to the style and spirit of the most charismatic duo the funny spaghetti Western can offer.

Clean-fisted action with a lot of classic flavour

In essence, Slaps and Beans 2 is an old school beat 'em up, with simple but effective mechanics. We control Bud and Terence as they deliver justice based on slaps, spinning kicks and special movements with animations that perfectly imitate the exaggerated choreographies of their movies. The response of the controls is more precise than in its predecessor, and the combat is satisfactory thanks to its fluid rhythm and the good design of enemies.

Each character has unique abilities, which encourages cooperation in the two-player mode. Bud, slower but powerful, destroys bunches of enemies in the area, while Terence is agile and fast, ideal for more technical combos. This difference in gameplay adds depth and variety, especially if you play in local co-op.

A crazy story loyal to the Spencer-Hill universe

The plot is deliberately absurd and comical, true to the canons. From the Caribbean to fictional cities full of mobsters and thugs, the duo travels in search of trouble... or rather, problems just find them. The game is full of references and nods to the movies, from Crime Busters until Watch Out, We're Mad!, with dialogues that exude humor and surreal situations that start more than a laugh.

In addition, there are a good number of mini-games between levels that function as tributes to iconic scenes: pedal car races, food contests, and many more. These moments break the rhythm of the combat and add variety to the adventure.

Pixel art aesthetics that exudes personality

The graphic style of Slaps and Beans 2 maintains the pixel art of the first game, but with notable improvements. The sprites are more detailed, the animations are smoother and the scenarios are full of life. Each location has that retro touch reminiscent of the movies of the 70s and 80s, with saturated colors, neons and details that capture the essence of the cinema of the time.

As for the sound, the soundtrack once again features original songs by Oliver Onions, the musical duo responsible for many of the movies' songs. This collaboration adds unique authenticity to the game. The sound effects are also well worked out, with those characteristic comic slap noises that are already a trademark of the Spencer-Hill universe.

An unpretentious arcade game for fans

Slaps and Beans 2 does not intend to revolutionize the genre or compete with the great modern beat 'em ups. Its objective is clear: to pay tribute to two legends of cinema with a game that amuses, entertains and stirs up smiles. It achieves it by far, although the limitations are also obvious. The duration is somewhat short, the difficulty is not very high, and if not played in the cooperative mode the experience can feel somewhat repetitive.

However, if you are a fan of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill, or just looking for a light, fun and full of nostalgia game, you will love this title. You can tell the affection with which it has been developed, as it is transmitted in every slap.