Gunman Clive 2

Bandits, steam-era machinery, and a globe-spanning pursuit give this compact run-and-gun platformer far more personality than its simple premise suggests. Gunman Clive 2 picks up after Clive’s earlier rescue of Ms. Johnson, only to send him after the gang leader responsible for another attack on town. The result is a brisk, colorful side-scroller that trades grim realism for Saturday-matinee adventure, with dusty frontier streets giving way to jungles, oceans, ice, and stranger destinations. Its hand-drawn, sketchbook-like presentation remains distinctive, while the fuller palette makes every setting read more clearly than in the first game.

Most of the action revolves around tight 2D platforming, precise shooting, and learning how enemy patterns interact with moving hazards. Clive carries the familiar revolver, but alternate characters change the feel of a replay by bringing their own movement and combat quirks to the same stages. Levels rarely sit still: collapsing platforms, rushing vehicles, shifting camera perspectives, aerial encounters, and environmental set pieces keep the short campaign from becoming a repetitive corridor shooter. Checkpoints are generally fair, yet late-game boss fights and dense obstacle sequences demand clean timing, quick reactions, and a willingness to replay stages for better runs.

What stands out is the confidence of its design economy. Rather than burying its ideas under upgrade trees or collectibles, Gunman Clive 2 introduces a fresh gimmick, uses it well, and moves on before it wears out its welcome. Huge bosses, surprising level themes, and multiple characters lend it more variety than its modest scope initially suggests, though players seeking a long campaign or deep progression may find it slight. Fans of Mega Man, Contra, and classic arcade platformers should find plenty to enjoy, while newcomers get an approachable, focused action game that respects their time without becoming toothless.