GamingReview: The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas

Review: The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas

-

- Advertisement -

The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas isn’t going to be on everyone’s must-play list. However, if you have children, enjoy weird rhyming, or love the festive season, you’ll want to get your hands on this feel-good and family-focused affair.

Casual Brothers developed this, and Outright Games are the publishers. It is a single-player or family-focused co-op title. It builds on the foundations of the original, and fans will go crazy for the simple controls, tool-based traversal elements, and heartwarming plot.

The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas proves that redemption is sweet.

The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas proves that the Grinch can redeem himself. Instead of stealing Christmas and ruining it for everyone, he wants to show the Whos that he’s a changed being. Ornaments must be collected and the best Christmas tree produced to bring energy and love to the Whos from Who-ville.

The story is sickly sweet, and the depth is puddle-deep, but who cares? It works exceptionally well as a Christmas tale, and I loved the dialogue and the easy-to-follow moments. Additionally, it sits well with the core mechanics, as you must collect ornaments, navigate full 3D worlds, and work collaboratively to overcome minor problems.

Teamwork, dreamwork!

Teamwork is a must, and the collaborative approach is fantastic. If you have younger gamers in your household, they’ll adore playing the role of Max. Older and more able children can control the Grinch with little effort. Although the developer has made things bigger and better, the core action is easy to understand.

There are light puzzling moments, platforming elements, collectables to find, and gadget-based movement. Roller skates, a jet pack, and a snowball maker help you to explore Mt. Crumpit, the Who-wood, Who-ville, and the Grinch’s cave. Gathering the ornaments and finding secrets was fantastic, and completing this with your kids is a special experience.

There is nothing better than letting your kids feel in charge of a game. They learn much more, and it builds a family bond. The safe action, refined puzzles, and excellent story keep you interested throughout.

The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas looks great.

I’m a huge fan of the books, and The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas does a great job of capturing the artwork and vibrancy of this much-loved story. The world feels large, interesting, and a joy to explore. Moreover, it is perfectly safe and ideal for younger gamers. With fun and loud cinematic, varied backdrops, and fine platforming, this does brilliantly.

The audio is as loud, upbeat, and festive as you’d expect. There are some serious moments, but these are few and far between. Instead, it focuses on the lighthearted festive theme, the bond between the protagonists, and the child-friendly design. The sound effects are relatively refined but suitable for the genre. They won’t blow you away, but I liked the silliness and high-energy elements.

Decent controls.

3D games can be tough to play. That wouldn’t be suitable for younger gamers as it would cause arguments and make parents go crazy. Fortunately, The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas is focused on enjoyment, simple controls, and a great family time. The layout is refined, and the role of Max is stripped back. Subsequently, younger gamers can join in without feeling like a hindrance.

You can move through each stage at a relatively quick pace. However, if you want to find every secret and grab every ornament, you’ll need to spend some time searching high and low. This is great as it supports children with short attention spans and those who like to find every item. That replay value and longevity will appeal to completionists.

The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas is a great family game.

This won’t impress miserable, Christmas-hating gamers who have no kids. It is too simple, upbeat, and wholesome for that group. However, if you love the green hero and want to keep your children entertained, this will be a hit. Accordingly, I think it’s amazing, and I recommend buying it here! Can you find every ornament and decorate the tree? Search with Max, find every decoration, and make the tree sparkle!

SUMMARY

The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas is a fun and family-friendly title that will appeal to younger gamers and parents. Its safe gameplay, vibrant graphics, and interesting 3D platforming bring the world to life. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. Yes, it won’t be for everyone, but children will adore every festive moment.


+ A wholesome story.
+ Vibrant and large world.
+ Energetic and fun audio.
+ Great for kids.
+ Perfectly safe.
+ Bigger and better than the first game.

- It won’t be for everyone.
- Sickly sweet story.
- Possibly too short and easy for advanced children.

(Rating: PEGI 3 Release date: 18/09/2026 Price: £34.99)


(Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)


(Full disclosure! This review is based on a copy of the game being provided by the publisher/developer.)


Daniel Waite
Daniel Waite
My gaming career started on an Amiga and spans many consoles! Currently, I game using an MSI laptop and Xbox Series X. A fan of every genre, I love to give anything a go. Former editor and reviewer for http://www.bonusstage.co.uk, I'm loving my new home here at Movies Games and Tech. I can be contacted for gaming reviews on the following email: Daniel@moviesgamesandtech.com

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay connected

7,137FansLike
8,417FollowersFollow
26,900SubscribersSubscribe

LATEST REVIEWS

Review: Infection Free Zone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mdh-rcEM6s Infection Free Zone is a unique concept that appealed to me instantly. I love the zombie genre, even if it has been done to...

Review: Fright Train

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you