Costume Quest 2 is being developed for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Linux, and Mac, a Polygon preview confirms.
The Double Fine Productions sequel sees the return of twins Reynold and Wren. Its setting has moved to a new suburb in Louisiana, and takes place immediately following the ‘Grubbins on Ice’ downloadable expansion.
Double Fine is planning a number of enhancements, including:
- A refined battle system. Whereas the first game’s battles became repetitive, the sequel’s is being fine tuned with added attack combos and by making the player time their button presses as the character attacks, rather than beforehand. Nailing the button press allows opportunity for follow-up attacks.
- A wider variety of costumes. Some of the favorites from the first game are returning, but new costumes—including the Clown, the Superhero, the Pterodactyl, and the Candy Corn—are also being added.
- Your party’s health won’t automatically regenerate after each battle. Water fountains will replenish your energy.
- Ability cards. These will enhance players’ abilities in battle. They’re a combination of Battle Stamps (which acted as modifiers in the first game) and Creepy Treat Cards. They can be purchased from vendors or earned by completing quests. Some are limited and may take a few battles before they can be used again.
- Heelys for all. In the first game, only the Robot costume wore heelys, which allowed players to move around the game world faster. In Costume Quest 2, all kids wear heelys no matter the costume.
- Better side-quests. The first game’s side-quests were a bit “fetch quest-y,” according to Double Fine. Costume Quest 2‘s will be “more [tied to] game mechanics.”
- Pinatas. Players will be able to hunt for pinatas, which contain more candy, between quests.
Double Fine describes the Candy Corn costume as a useless costume, as it forces the player wearing it to sit out each turn, but Double Fine is building a Trophy / Achievement around it for players who complete the game wearing the Candy Corn costume the entire playthrough.
A release date for Costume Quest 2 is unannounced.