Multiplayer Experience: Many players enjoyed the multiplayer aspect, particularly the ability to play with up to 8 players, which is a significant increase from the original game.
New Mechanics: Some users appreciated the introduction of new gameplay mechanics, such as the tackle and two new items (a ray gun and a lightning boost).
Visuals and Art Style: A subset of players liked the updated graphics and the art direction, finding it a fresh take compared to the original.
Characterization and Voice Acting: Some reviews mentioned that the characters' designs and voice acting were entertaining and added a fun element to the game.
Potential for Improvement: A few users expressed optimism about future updates and content additions that could enhance the game further.
The main cons of the game
Content Limitations: Many reviews criticized the game for having a lack of content at launch, with only 8 maps (mostly reworks of the original) and a limited character roster.
Visual Clarity Issues: Numerous players found the visuals cluttered and hard to read, making it difficult to track their characters during gameplay.
Performance Problems: Reports of input lag, frame drops, and bugs were common, leading to frustration with the overall performance of the game.
Underwhelming Campaign: The single-player campaign was widely panned for being short, poorly designed, and not engaging, with boss battles that felt out of place in a speedrunning game.
Comparison to Original: A significant number of reviews noted that the sequel did not improve upon the original SpeedRunners and felt more like a cash grab, lacking the charm and quality of its predecessor.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
Workshop and Community Content: Players expressed disappointment over the absence of Steam Workshop support, which was a key feature in the original game that allowed for user-generated content and custom maps.
More Maps and Characters: Users wanted a greater variety of maps and characters, as the current offerings felt insufficient and repetitive.
Improved Mechanics: Some players felt that core mechanics from the original game should have been retained or improved rather than changed, particularly regarding movement and taunting during gameplay.
Better Campaign Design: Suggestions for a more engaging and longer campaign with better boss fights and a more cohesive narrative were common, as the current campaign was deemed lackluster.
Summary
In summary, while SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed has some positive aspects, particularly in multiplayer and visuals, it has faced significant criticism for its lack of content, performance issues, and failure to live up to the legacy of the original game. Many players recommend sticking with SpeedRunners 1 or waiting for substantial updates before purchasing the sequel.