A Killer Puzzle: Does “Slayaway Camp 2” Deliver a Cut Above the Rest?

The world of mobile puzzles is a crowded one, but few titles have managed to blend clever design with a unique and hilarious theme quite like Slayaway Camp. The original game, a “Very Positive” rated cult classic, was a love letter to classic ’80s horror films. Now, Blue Wizard Digital is back with a sequel, Slayaway Camp 2, which takes the over-the-top, block-sliding puzzle action and amps it up in every way. The game, which is available on Steam, iOS, and Android, is a bloody-but-charming tribute that begs the question: is it a worthy successor?

The premise is pure B-movie gold. The iconic killer, Skullface, is summoned and then accidentally trapped inside a legally distinct streaming service called “TERRORTUBE.” Now, he must slice and dice his way through hundreds of puzzles across various movie parodies to escape his digital prison. It’s a fantastic setup that gives the developers a canvas for endless creativity and campy horror humor.

New Mechanics, Same Killer Vibe

At its core, Slayaway Camp 2 retains the beloved sliding-block puzzle mechanics of the original. You control Skullface, and your goal is to eliminate all the victims on the board. You can’t stop until you hit an obstacle, so you must carefully plan your moves to avoid scaring victims off the edge of the screen or trapping yourself in an unwinnable situation.

However, the sequel introduces a host of new mechanics that completely change the game.

• New Killer Classes: The game features five different classes of killers beyond the classic “Slasher.” You can now play as a “Sorcerer” that fires projectiles, a “Beast” that can freeze victims in place, a “Monster” that can create zombie friends, or a “Ghost” that can phase through obstacles. Each class offers a completely different way to approach the puzzles.
• Interactive Environments: The levels are more dynamic and interactive than ever. You can now push crates, roll boulders to crush multiple victims, use pressure switches to open and close gates, and even interact with grass and trees to spook victims into a different path.
• Hundreds of Puzzles: The game is massive, with over 25 parody-laced “Puzzle Movies” that feature hundreds of masterfully hand-crafted challenges. Each movie introduces new mechanics and unique environmental puzzles, ensuring that the gameplay never feels stale.
• Mini-Games and Collectibles: In between puzzles, you can play a variety of mini-games to level up your killers. There are also hidden “machete” collectibles in each level, which unlock gruesome, over-the-top kill animations for the final victim.

A Must-Play for Fans and Newcomers Alike

The game’s visual style is a charming, exaggerated cartoon aesthetic with vibrant colors that make the gore comically over the top. The soundtrack, a psychopathic tribute to classic horror movie scores, is a perfect complement to the game’s tone. The game is also mercifully free of ads and in-app purchases on mobile platforms for a small one-time fee, which is a welcome change from many other puzzle games on the market.

While the difficulty can be steep at times, the game is incredibly helpful, with an in-game hint system and the ability to rewind and reset your moves. This ensures that you’re never truly stuck and can always find a way to progress. For fans of the original, Slayaway Camp 2 is a must-buy that takes everything great about its predecessor and refines it. For newcomers, it’s a perfect entry point into the genre, offering a unique blend of horror, humor, and clever puzzle design that is a cut above the rest.