Monaco 2

Monaco 2 brings back the heart of the original and builds something smarter and more flexible around it. The 3D shift helps with clarity, the level layouts feel more readable, and the ability to swap characters mid-mission makes experimentation easier. It still leans heavily on co-op, but there’s enough here for those who prefer to go it alone.

Though still capable of fun co-op experiences, Monaco 2 is the perfect example to remind us that bigger doesn't always mean better - sometimes it just means busier.

I've said it: the market cannot be made of masterpieces alone. It does, however, hurt a lot to see that the palpable potential of the first Monaco was, in this Monaco 2, poorly translated into a sequel that does not improve on the previous chapter in virtually any aspect, in fact creating new problems where there were none. An inadequate camera, a procedural map generation system that needed to be structured more conscientiously, and a multiple-objective structure that learns no lessons from the far more skillful--at least in this--mobile games, make Monaco 2 a quietly avoidable title at a time, for the market, when teams as small as Pocketwatch Games manage to pack far more memorable game instances.

By retaining the qualities of the old and bringing in new flourishes, Monaco 2 will please the virtual money-stealer within you. Co-operative play has been enriched with more strategic nuances than ever before, the levels brim with a classy glamour that's hard to resist, and the fun-yet-short play sessions make each mission digestible without getting overbearing or tedious. There is a pervading sense not much has changed here besides the alluring graphical overhaul, and single-player doesn't do Monaco 2 justice, but as a co-op game it glimmers like a crystal inside a display case ready for snatching up. If you have some pals go and raid Monaco of all its glitter; just don't expect to break the bank.

If you're a fan of the first Monaco, this is better in every way. If you're not, you just might find that this heist title is right up your alley.

A stylish, strategic, and endlessly replayable stealth game, Monaco 2 is a masterclass in crafting the perfect sequel. Whether you're a pro or a newcomer looking for a co-op gem, this game will steal your heart and your spare time.

A successful caper is only as good as the numerous ways it can suddenly fall apart.

And while Monaco 2 sometimes stacks the deck too heavily against solo players (it seems better with a full house), striving to straighten out each new wrinkle in the plan makes for addictive, cheek-flushing fun.

Monaco 2 isn't too different from the first game, but it remains a delightful experience. The presentation might be a little divisive for those who loved the first game's simpler approach, but the addition of character voices makes the game more charming. The new gameplay additions make the game more approachable, while the addition of randomization gives the game some real legs. Monaco 2 is loads of fun in both co-op and solo play, and those who love a good lighthearted heist will really enjoy this title.

Monaco 2 is an exciting heist sim where you can explore with different characters and enjoy whatever the levels throw at you.