Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 83 | 36 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 91% | 85 | 61 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 94% | 88 | 12 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 29 reviews sampled · 33 total reviews in window · weighted 14.4 up / 1 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (29)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“Heave Ho 2 is a triumphant return for one of the best cooperative games ever made. By introducing creative level themes, smart quality-of-life additions, and even more chaotic ways to play with up to four players, it refines its brilliant physics formula into an indispensable, laugh-filled multiplayer masterpiece.”
read full review ↗ - 92
“This silly budget-friendly sequel preserves the winning formula of the original, while peppering in some new elements to add to the challenge and fun”
read full review ↗ - 77
“Heave Ho 2 is a fun sequel for anyone who has at least one other person willing to tackle its campaign. For those who can play locally, the variety of puzzles and the chaos provided by the physics sustain the experience until the end.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Co-op games don't always need an emotionally gripping story like e.g. It Takes Two nor do they always need to be packed with ranked matches, battle passes and endless engagement like many shooters. Sometimes a manageable number of creative maps and a focus on collaborative puzzle-solving are enough to create an entertaining experience: Heave Ho 2 expands on the ideas of its predecessor with fun challenges and more than creative level and mission design while still maintaining its core focus on an incredibly entertaining multiplayer game.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Heave Ho 2 provided new and entertaining premises for us to play with the mechanics, sabotage each other, and broke us into laughter so hard we could barely breathe. Heave Ho 2 takes the perfect formula from the first game, and adds onto it. Sometimes you don't need to mess with perfection.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Heave Ho 2 is more varied sequel that still feels feels welcoming to players of all skill levels.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Heave Ho is a high watermark in the party game genre, and whilst it stings a touch that there aren't any single-player modes, that’s really not Heave Ho’s forte. Its forte is having players shout and giggle at each other as you delve further and further into its increasingly challenging stages, which will have you laughing out loud and creaking the controller in frustration in equal measure. Heave Ho should absolutely be in the running for game of the year, and if you don’t think so, Papa Otis needs to punch you in the face...or at the very least grab you by the mouth and throw you into space.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There's a lot of fun to be had in Heave Ho 2, whether you're playing with one friend or in a group of four, together or online. Le Cartel has taken the swinging puzzle platforming of the original and built so many great new settings and inventive ideas around it. One or two more awkward elements can grate, but then you've got that perfect chancer move to fling yourself with perfect precision from start to end and the roar of surprised delight. A great sequel.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Heave Ho 2 is absolute chaos in the best possible way. Between the physics-based platforming, constant communication, and inevitable accidental betrayals, it’s the kind of game that creates memorable moments almost every few minutes.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Heave Ho 2 delivers exactly what you'd expect from a couch co-op game: chaotic fun and plenty of laughs with friends. The controls take a little time to get used to and continue to provide a satisfying challenge throughout the game. Rather than being a drawback, we think this is an essential part of what makes the game so enjoyable. The different worlds each introduce their own gameplay focus, offering enough variety to keep things fresh from start to finish. We also really liked the visuals, and the soundtrack in particular fits the game's lighthearted style perfectly. The addition of online multiplayer for the first time makes Heave Ho 2 much more accessible than its predecessor. Minor issues, such as the almost unavoidable lifebuoy mechanic triggered by the hard-to-avoid cat, only slightly detract from the overall experience. At a price of just €9.99, there's little reason not to pick it up if you have a group of friends to play with.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“In the end, for only €9.99, Heave Ho 2 makes a smashing entry among the party-games that amuse us from the first moments, especially in cooperative mode. Adjusting your gestures, the timing of your actions, with 1 or 3 people, thinking together, it’s still super cheerful. If the mechanics are punitive, the title published by Devolver Digital still invites us to persevere without a headache, and with a smile. Although the game could have done better for its competitive mode, it has some fun sessions between friends.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Heave Ho 2 knows exactly where its strength lies. The simple controls, creative co-op levels, and constant stream of hilarious situations make this an excellent party game for four players. Especially for a price of around ten euros, you are served a huge amount of content, with dozens of levels and enough optional challenges to ensure you get a lot of enjoyment out of the game for a long time. However, it is a shame that the developers opted so emphatically for multiplayer and that playing solo has even become impossible. Fans of the first game who enjoyed playing alone feel somewhat forgotten as a result. The battle mode is also a bit disappointing and clearly falls short of the fantastic co-op experience. However, if you are looking for a chaotic multiplayer game where communication, cooperation, and above all, lots of laughter take center stage, then Heave Ho 2 is absolutely recommended.”
read full review ↗
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Evilgamerz…and 17 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Hotfix #2Jul 28, 2026
- Hotfix #1Jul 23, 2026
- Demo Hotfix #2Jun 17, 2026
- Demo Hotfix #1Jun 16, 2026