Asterix & Obelix XXL 2

Asterix & Obelix XXL 2 is a remastered action-adventure game set in classical antiquity, where the indomitable Gauls Asterix and Obelix journey to Las Vegum, a fantastical Roman amusement park, to thwart Julius Caesar’s schemes and rescue captured villagers, featuring behind-the-view combat, puzzle elements, improved graphics, new difficulty modes, fast travel, bonus missions, and an in-game store for unlocking combos and special abilities.

Asterix & Obelix XXL 2: Review

Introduction

In the annals of video game history, few comic book adaptations have captured the irreverent spirit of their source material quite like the Asterix & Obelix XXL series. Born from René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo’s beloved Franco-Belgian comics—tales of indomitable Gauls thumbing their noses at Roman imperialism—Asterix & Obelix XXL 2 (2018 remaster of the 2005 original) arrives as a cheeky time capsule. This remastered action-adventure platformer thrusts players into the neon-drenched absurdity of “Las Vegum,” Julius Caesar’s gaudy theme park parody of Las Vegas, where our heroes pummel pixelated parodies of gaming icons. Amid a sea of remasters chasing nostalgia, this one stands out for its unapologetic humor and meta-satire, but its thesis is bittersweet: a charming relic that delights fans yet stumbles under the weight of dated mechanics, cementing its niche as a preserved curiosity rather than a timeless triumph.

Development History & Context

The original Astérix & Obélix XXL 2: Mission: Las Vegum emerged in 2005 from French studio Étranges Libellules S.A., helmed by director and designer Marc Dutriez, with programming by Benjamin Hervé and Sylvain Béen, and writing by Nicolas Pothier and Hervé Masseron. Published by Atari for PlayStation 2 and PC (with 2006 ports to PSP as Mission: Wifix by Tate Interactive and Nintendo DS by Mistic Software), it built on the 2003 predecessor XXL, shifting from linear brawling to a more open, parody-laden adventure. Rendered on Criterion’s RenderWare engine—the same powering Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas—it spoofed contemporaries like Mario Galaxy, Sonic, Rayman, and Splinter Cell, with box art mimicking Rockstar’s hit. This was peak PS2 era: mid-generation hardware strained by ambitious worlds, yet constrained by 256MB RAM limits, resulting in segmented levels and repetitive enemy waves to mask loading.

The 2018 remaster, developed by OSome Studio (known for horror title White Night) and published by Microids/Anuman Interactive, targeted modern platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam/GOG), Mac, and later PS5 (2022). Credits list heavyweights like CEO Stéphane Longeard and VP Publishing Alain Milly, with programmers Pierre Sénéclauze and Sylvain Passot enhancing visuals via FMOD sound engine integration. Technological upgrades addressed PS2-era woes—brighter lighting, depth-of-field, enhanced models/textures—but retained core structure. Released alongside announcements for XXL 3, it rode the remaster wave (Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Spyro Reignited), capitalizing on Asterix‘s enduring popularity (13 films, Parc Astérix park). In a landscape dominated by open-world epics, its contained ambition reflected licensed tie-in realities: faithful to comics, not revolutionary.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

At its heart, Asterix & Obelix XXL 2 is a gleeful subversion of Roman conquest, mirroring the comics’ anti-imperial satire. The plot kicks off with a bombshell: Getafix (the village druid) has “betrayed” Gaul by swearing loyalty to Caesar, aiding in capturing three fellow druids to supercharge Roman legions. Chief Vitalstatistix dispatches Asterix—the shrewd, potion-empowered warrior—and the menhir-toting Obelix to Rome’s heart: Las Vegum, Caesar’s human-zoo amusement park designed to showcase conquered Gauls post-village fall.

The six-zone odyssey—Lutetia (Paris parody), WCW (wrestling arena), LuckSore (Luxor), Little Venetia (Venice canals), Pirate Island, and SeizeUs Palace—unfurls via cinematic cutscenes (unchanged in remaster, sadly low-res). Allies like Sam Shieffer (Splinter Cell’s Sam Fisher as a Roman spy) provide intel and tutorials, while Dogmatix sniffs paths/enemies. Bosses escalate absurdity: “Larry Craft” (Lara Croft centurion), Matrix-clone Caesars calling Asterix “Mr. Anderson.” Dialogue crackles with puns—”By Toutatis!”—and Obelix’s potion-denied grumbles, voiced by originals like Roger Carel (Asterix) and Pierre Tornade (Obelix, archived).

Thematically, it’s a meta-feast: video game parodies (Mario plumbers, Sonic speedsters, Pac-Man gobblers, Ryu fighters, Rayman limbless foes) lampoon industry tropes amid Gaulish defiance. Themes of loyalty (Getafix’s “betrayal” twist), camaraderie (Asterix/Obelix switching), and cultural resistance echo comics, but repetition dilutes depth—narrative serves gameplay loops, not vice versa. Remaster’s postcard collectibles and figurine unlocks nod to tourism, reinforcing Asterix‘s travelogue roots.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core loops blend beat-’em-up brawling, light platforming, and puzzles in behind-view 3D action. Switch seamlessly between Asterix (agile, whip-throws) and Obelix (brute strength, slams) to navigate: Asterix squeezes vents, Obelix shatters boulders. Combat dominates—mash for combos, kick-stun (□), grab-whip/throw (△)—with character-specific prompts boosting meters for “Furies” (screen-clearing ultras). Magic potion grants temporary invincibility; roast boar heals (now multi-HP in remaster). Enemies demand adaptation: shielders block, blockers parry, parodies add flair (e.g., jumping Mario-legionaries).

Remaster innovations shine: in-game stores sell upgrades (health to 7 hearts/28 HP + 3 shields/40 total), combos, Furies using helmets (currency from boxes/enemies). Three difficulties (switchable), 12 timed challenges (punching bags spawn hordes), fast-travel maps (ex-save points), auto-save, and Dogmatix’s enemy defeats encourage replay. Puzzles involve pushing blocks, bomb-tossing, rail-riders, turrets—simple but synergistic (e.g., whip Romans as flails).

Flaws persist: repetitive “defeat X Romans” gates (hundreds late-game), clunky camera (sticks in fights/corridors), shallow progression. UI overhaul (2D icons, redesigned HUD) helps, but PS2 roots show—no co-op (original ports had multiplayer minigames), no boss replays. 100% completion (30 diamond helmets, 24 postcards, all upgrades/challenges) yields “Indomitable Player” achievement, but collectible rebalancing frustrates.

Mechanic	Strengths	Weaknesses
Combat	Fluid combos, parody variety, upgrades	Repetitive waves, unblockable overwhelm
Exploration/Puzzles	Character-switch synergy, fast travel	Linear segments, camera issues
Progression	Store unlocks, challenges	No multipliers, gated barriers

World-Building, Art & Sound

Las Vegum’s zones pulse with thematic flair: neon Lutetia’s arcades spoof Mortal Kombat/ Tekken; LuckSore’s pyramids echo Tomb Raider; Pirate Island’s ships nod Soul Reaver. Remaster elevates PS2 jank—enhanced models/textures, brighter lighting, depth-of-field, “classic” comic costumes (toggleable)—to vibrant, cel-shaded homage. Environments brim with details: Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion posters, Microïds logos replacing old signs. Yet, un-fullscreen cinematics and missing effects betray age.

Sound design immerses: Fabrice Bouillon-LaForest’s orchestral score swells in battles (ancient motifs with modern beats), punchy SFX (boings, thwacks), and iconic voices (Thierry Buenafuente, Jacques Chambon). FMOD ensures polish, but dated moans/grunts grate. Atmosphere? Pure cartoon chaos—family-friendly fisticuffs amid satire—evoking comic whimsy, though repetition saps wonder.

Reception & Legacy

Launched November 29, 2018 (US as Roman Rumble in Las Vegum), it garnered middling scores: MobyGames 6.6/10 (60% critics), OpenCritic 60 (15th percentile). Praise for humor/references (Way Too Many Games: 80%, “fantastic 3D platformer”); knocks for datedness (Push Square: 5/10, “PS2-era… not worth AAA price”; Game Hoard: 43%, “repetitive combat”). Player score: 5/5 (sparse). Commercially modest (collected by 75+ Moby users, $1.99 Steam sales, bundles like XXL Collection), but preserved rarity—first NA physical via Maximum Games (2019).

Legacy endures in Asterix games: bridged to XXL 3: The Crystal Menhir (2019), influencing Microïds’ output (Marsupilami: Hoobadventure). As “first video game parody” (per promo), it pioneered meta-licensed fare, echoing comics’ cultural jabs. Evolved rep: nostalgia bait for Gaul fans, cautionary remaster tale—charming but unrefined, influencing budget 3D platformer revivals.

Conclusion

Asterix & Obelix XXL 2 endures as a flavorful PS2 survivor, its remaster polishing a parody-packed gem without reinventing it. Strengths—hysterical references, character synergy, Gaulish charm—clash with repetitive brawls, camera woes, and mid-tier visuals, dooming it to cult status. In video game history, it claims a footnote: bold licensed satire from gaming’s analog-to-HD transition, priming XXL 3‘s ambitions. Verdict: Recommended for Asterix diehards and curiosity seekers at bargain prices (7/10)—a menhir worth hoisting for laughs, but no potion for immortality. By Toutatis, play the comics first.