Cut the Rope 2 Review

Om Nom just can’t get enough of that sweet, sweet candy. Seriously, I think he has a problem. The lengths he would go to were pretty intense before, but in Cut the Rope 2 things are even crazier. He’s got more worlds to snack in, more obstacles to overcome, new creatures to help him, and unfortunately a few unwelcome monetization methods.

Spiders have stolen Om Nom’s candy stash using a hot air balloon (naturally), and the little addict is dragged along with them as they make their escape. Literally: his adorable little foot gets tangled in the anchor line and he goes for a ride. Once free, players must stuff him with sweets as they work their way through 120 all-new levels. Cut the Rope 2 is in many ways similar to the original - what with the rope cutting and all - but a number of new elements have also been introduced that change the formula up quite a bit.

The new stuff in Cut the Rope 2 is nothing to sneeze at, either. Sure players still have to get a piece of candy within an inch or two of Om Nom so he can gobble it up, but the ways they can go about it have changed quite a bit. Balloons can be attached to various elements in a level to lift them, water comes into play at points and forces players to rethink their strategies (both candy and Om Nom float), etc. However the most interesting additions are the Nommies: five new creatures with their own unique talents players can utilize to solve puzzles. Some multiply when tapped (great for creating a tower to block a rolling piece of candy), others will grab on to objects (even Om Nom himself!) and carry them around, one can extend a tongue to act as a ramp or barricade, and so on.

The only problem I have with Cut the Rope 2 is its weird attempt at monetization. There are no energy timers or premium currencies here, but power-ups are limited and tied to real money. Levels that require a specific power-up to complete will supply it, but outside of those instances players basically have to shell out for more on their own. That in itself doesn’t seem so bad until one tries to three-star every single level. A few of them (not many, but a few) are all but impossible to net 100% on without some outside help. Thankfully it’s still possible to progress to later worlds without dipping into the personal funds.

Gripes about the IAPs aside (they’re more an inexplicable nuisance than a hinderance, really), Cut the Rope 2 is all-around great. The puzzles are incredibly clever and varied, Om Nom and his pals are as cute as ever, and players will absolutely get plenty of bang for their (single) buck. So long as one doesn’t mind “more of the same, only better,” there’s really no reason to miss out.