| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Release Date | 1/6/22 |
| Cost | $4.99 |
| Publisher | Equilibrium Systems |
| ESRB Rating | E10+ |
Epic Dumpster Bear 2: He Who Bears Wins is a 16-bit style platformer that was a pleasant surprise, especially after reviewing crap like Super Drunken Guy. I bemoaned the state of cheap 2D platformers on switch and asked for recommendations, or which this was one. To be far, the graphics are bad, but I think that is intentional, and part of the charm. What isn’t bad is the game play, which is very good and reminds me of Donkey Kong Country.
There is a cheesy story in Epic Dumpster Bear. You are a bear and you go off in search of who polluted your home. Its a nice touch that its there, but not incredibly important. You go through 8 worlds of 5 main levels, plus 2-3 bonus levels, for a total of 53 levels in total. Four of the five main levels are platforming levels. In each level, you have three red coins to collect. Plus at the end, you have a bullseye you’re supposed to fall in the center of for points. You also receive the gold coins and salmon you’ve collected. The gold coins unlock the bonus platforming levels. The salmon unlock the boss level.
At this point, I will show a video of the first boss, who I beat in 13 seconds. Not sure if it was easy on purpose, but it was amusing never the less.
The platforming in Epic Dumpster Bear 2 is pretty good. You can double jump, wall jump and slash(which acts as an attack and a dash). In each world there is a special hat that does special things. In world 1, you get a beanie that allows you to throw along the ground an exploding curling stone. In world 2, you get a soldier’s helmet that allows you to throw grenades. Honestly, I can get a little janky at times, but overall the game play is solid.
If the graphics weren’t purposely crappy, I’d give Epic Dumpster Bear 2 a Must Play. Instead, it’ll come highly Recommended. This is a fun platformer that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Overall: Epic Dumpster Bear 2 is a fun platformer that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Even the bad graphics are part of the charm.
Verdict: Recommended
P.S. How many times does I have to tell you: Play Glyph!
