Dizzy Two

Dizzy Two is a fanmade sequel to the Dizzy series, placing the iconic egg character in a basement on a mysterious island where he must use his wits and found items to solve puzzles and navigate challenges. This freeware action-platformer combines classic side-scrolling gameplay with puzzle-solving elements, designed as a tribute to the original Dizzy adventures created by the Oliver Twins.

Dizzy Two: Review

Introduction

In the pantheon of 8-bit platformers, few characters are as enduring as Dizzy—the perpetually helmeted egg whose adventures on the ZX Spectrum and Amiga defined an era of whimsical, puzzle-driven platforming. Decades after the Oliver Twins first birthed the Yolkfolk, a new challenger emerges: Dizzy Two, a fan-made labor of love that resurrects the beloved egg for a modern audience. Yet this is no mere nostalgia trip. Crafted by the independent studio u)development and released in 2020, Dizzy Two seeks to bridge the gap between retro charm and contemporary design. This review posits that while the game faithfully captures the essence of its predecessors—emphasizing environmental puzzles, item-based progression, and eccentric humor—it struggles with technical hiccups and pacing issues that prevent it from reaching the legendary status of its inspirations.

Development History & Context

Dizzy Two emerged from the vibrant ecosystem of Dizzy fangames, a niche community dedicated to preserving the spirit of Andrew and Philip Oliver’s creations. The game was developed by u)development, a small team led by programmer Semjon Uglev, and published under the same moniker. Notably, the project leverages Unreal Engine 4—a bold choice for a genre rooted in sprite-based simplicity. This technological pivot allowed for detailed animations and lighting but introduced compatibility challenges, as evidenced by community reports of DirectX errors and controller issues.

Released first on December 14, 2020, via itch.io and later on Steam (February 1, 2021), the game arrived during a resurgence of retro-inspired indies. Its timing coincided with the 30th anniversary of Dizzy’s debut, positioning it as a heartfelt tribute. The credits reveal a diverse international team: artists Alexey Savkov and Egor Savelyev, animator Ekaterina Sablina, writer Vladimir Voevoda, and composer Pavel Pichugin. Crucially, the Oliver Twins are acknowledged as the creators of the Yolkfolk, grounding the project in authentic lineage. This blend of old and new—retro gameplay married to modern engines—reflects a broader trend in fan-driven revivals, where passion often outpaces polish.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The plot is quintessential Dizzy: our protagonist awakens in a flooded basement, stranded on a mysterious island after his family (Dozy, Denzil, Daisy, and Grand Dizzy) is kidnapped by the enigmatic Hunter. The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling and dialogue exchanges, with non-playable characters (NPCs) like the Witch, Dylan, and a gruff Pirate doling out cryptic quests. The writing leans into the series’ signature absurdist humor—Dizzy’s interactions range from fetching milk for a saucer-bound cat to negotiating with a witch demanding a “soul coffin.”

Thematically, the game explores isolation and resilience. Dizzy’s solo journey mirrors the classic adventure trope of the lone hero, but the recurring emphasis on rescuing family underscores a core message: unity against adversity. The Hunter’s role as a silent antagonist adds a layer of mystery, while the Pirate’s obsession with 69 coins (a cheeky nod to the Dizzy series’ coin-collecting legacy) injects playful greed. However, the narrative suffers from disjointed pacing. Key revelations—like the existence of a “spectrum reality” accessed via a computer—are introduced abruptly, leaving players to piece together the lore through trial and error. This ambiguity, while authentic to the original’s puzzle-box structure, may frustrate newcomers.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

At its core, Dizzy Two is a 2D side-scrolling adventure blending platforming, inventory management, and environmental puzzles. Movement is direct and responsive, though precision can be elusive during jumps over hazards like crocodiles or falling fruit. The game employs a checkpoint system, with Dizzy respawning at the last safe point upon death—a welcome mercy given its punishing platforming segments.

Inventory and Puzzles
The heart of the experience lies in Dizzy’s ever-expanding inventory. Items range from utilitarian (wrench, flashlight) to fantastical (elixir, pixelite), and solutions require lateral thinking: using a wrench to open a boiler, feeding milk to a cat to summon a dog, or combining a bottle and snow to create water. Puzzles are varied but sometimes obtuse. For instance, lighting torches in a cave by dropping a flashlight or using stones to traverse water feels arbitrary without external guides—a common critique in the Steam discussions.

Combat and Challenges
Combat is minimal but memorable. Dizzy can wield a wrench or push objects to defeat foes, but the primary threats are environmental. The Hunter’s bullet-dodging sequence on the balcony exemplifies the game’s tight (if unforgiving) design, requiring players to lure 20 bullets to strike a chandelier. Meanwhile, the “Severed Legs” achievement—triggered by intentionally dying to a moving cart—highlights the game’s dark humor.

Achievements and Replayability
With 17 achievements, Dizzy Two encourages thorough exploration. Missable rewards (e.g., “Rogue” for talking to the Pirate without collecting all coins) incentivize replays, though the linearity limits replay value. The checkpoint system also creates tension, as some achievements (like “Scattered,” earned by losing the flashlight) require deliberate sacrifice.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s world is a vibrant patchwork of biomes: a decaying house, a crocodile-infested swamp, an icy cave, and a spectral reality. Each area is rich with detail—sunken ships, hanging chandeliers, and flora that reacts to Dizzy’s presence. The art direction, handled by Savkov and Savelyev, embraces pixel art with a modern sheen. Characters are expressive, and environments like the Tree City (where Denzil resides) evoke the whimsy of the original Dizzy games. Lighting, powered by Unreal Engine 4, adds atmosphere, particularly in darker zones like the basement or spectral realm.

Sound design, however, is a mixed bag. Pavel Pichugin’s soundtrack is upbeat and melodic, blending chiptune nostalgia with orchestral flourishes. Yet environmental audio is sparse; the only sound cues are Dizzy’s jumps or item pickups, leaving the world feeling eerily quiet. Voice acting is absent, relying on text-based dialogue—a stylistic choice that preserves retro authenticity but distances players from character interactions.

Reception & Legacy

Upon release, Dizzy Two received a mixed reception. On Steam, it holds a “Mixed” score (62% positive) based on 67 reviews. Players praised its faithful homage to the Dizzy formula, with one Steam user calling it “Awesome!” while lamenting controller bugs. Negative reviews criticized technical issues (e.g., DirectX errors) and obtuse puzzles, with one player noting, “Some achievements are related to death, so some game parts should be replayed.”

Critically, the game has flown under the radar, likely due to its fan-made status. However, its community impact is undeniable. The Steam Workshop is replete with guides, like shpasic’s detailed walkthrough, which reveals the game’s depth—from unlocking “Crocodile Hunter” by draining a pool to achieving the “Happy Ending” by escaping with family. These resources underscore a dedicated player base, but they also highlight the game’s accessibility issues.

In the broader Dizzy ecosystem, Dizzy Two stands as a testament to the series’ enduring appeal. It joins fangames like Illusion Island Dizzy and Magicland Dizzy in reviving the Yolkfolk, though it lacks the polish of commercial remasters. Its legacy lies in proving that the Dizzy spirit—ingenuity, humor, and adventure—thrives even outside mainstream development.

Conclusion

Dizzy Two is a flawed but fascinating anomaly in the Dizzy canon. As a fan project, it excels in capturing the series’ soul: the joy of discovery, the satisfaction of solving a clever puzzle, and the charm of its anthropomorphic egg protagonist. Yet, its reliance on modern technology without fully mastering its quirks—technical bugs, finicky controls, and opaque puzzles—holds it back from greatness. For veterans of the Dizzy series, it offers a nostalgic romp with enough surprises to warrant a playthrough. For newcomers, it may prove frustrating without a guide.

Ultimately, Dizzy Two earns its place in video game history as a labor of love—an imperfect homage that honors the past while carving out its own identity. It is not the definitive Dizzy experience, but in a landscape of AAA remakes and cynical cash-ins, its unapologetic passion is a rare and commendable treasure.