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Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder, the sequel to the quirky tower defense/action game from Chilean developer ACE Team (Abyss Odyssey, The Deadly Tower of Monsters), continues the studio’s tradition of uniquely styled, humor-filled gameplay. This time, players are treated to a historically accurate (or not) romp through the ages, controlling the mighty Atlas as he accidentally drops his world-holding boulder and chases it through history, encountering figures like Napoleon, Genghis Khan, and George Washington.

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder – Gameplay Screenshot

Rolling Through the Ages

The game’s premise is simple, yet absurdly funny. Atlas’s dropped boulder sets off a chain reaction, leading players on a journey through history. The narrative, delivered with Monty Python-esque humor, introduces players to historical icons like Joan of Arc, Henry VII, Van Gogh, and William Wallace, each portrayed with ACE Team’s characteristically quirky style.

From Europe to North America, you’ll encounter a cast of historical figures reimagined through ACE Team’s comedic lens. Bowling against the iconic figure from Edvard Munch’s The Scream is just one example of the game’s unexpected and hilarious scenarios.

Boulder Bowling Basics

Similar to its predecessor, Rock of Ages 2’s core gameplay revolves around competitive boulder rolling. Players control a massive rock, navigating obstacle courses while simultaneously building defenses to thwart their opponent. The objective is to smash through the enemy’s castle gate and flatten their historical figure.

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder – Environment Screenshot

Controlling the boulder is relatively straightforward: accelerate, decelerate, steer, and jump. However, navigating the increasingly complex obstacle courses and enemy defenses requires precision and timing.

The game offers a variety of boulders, each with unique characteristics. The classic boulder offers balanced stats, while others provide specialized abilities, such as attracting cows to clear obstacles or possessing multiple smaller boulders that break apart and destroy defenses.

Defensive Measures

The tower defense aspect of Rock of Ages 2 is seen from a top-down perspective, allowing players to strategically place obstacles along the course. Options range from basic walls and explosives to more creative defenses like war elephants and even whales. Resources are limited, encouraging strategic placement and resource management. Combining obstacles, like placing a fan behind a wall to push the enemy boulder into explosives, can lead to devastatingly effective traps.

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder – Obstacle Placement Screenshot

Beyond the Campaign

While the main War campaign provides 4-5 hours of gameplay, Rock of Ages 2 also offers additional modes like Obstacle Course, a two-player race through pre-designed obstacle courses, and Time Trial, a solo speedrun mode. Online multiplayer for up to four players further extends the game’s replayability.

Predictable AI Holds It Back

Despite the expanded gameplay options, Rock of Ages 2 suffers from two main drawbacks. Firstly, while the core mechanics are fun and engaging, the overall experience can feel repetitive. Defensive strategies, despite the wider selection of obstacles, don’t evolve significantly throughout the campaign.

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder – AI Boulder Screenshot

This repetition is compounded by the game’s second major flaw: the predictable AI. Both in obstacle placement and boulder control, the AI rarely presents a surprising challenge, making the War campaign less engaging than it could be.

Conclusion

Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder delivers a hilarious and visually stunning experience. While the predictable AI and somewhat repetitive gameplay hold it back from true greatness, the game’s unique blend of genres and quirky humor makes it a worthwhile experience for those seeking lighthearted, physics-based fun.