What were you doing back in 2017? Well, if you had an Xbox controller as company, and an Xbox One fired up and powering your gaming sessions, there’s a chance you could have been joining Mr. Pumpkin on a bit of an adventure. And if you did, well, there’s nothing stopping you from taking in the sequel now that Mr. Pumpkin 2: Kowloon Walled City is here.
Mouthful of a title aside, we’re quite excited to see the return of Mr. Pumpkin on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. That’s not because we absolutely loved the original game – although, if you take in our full review of that, you’ll find it wasn’t a bad little playthrough – but because of the madness that the arrival of a sequel to old Pumpkin brings.
It comes about via the E-Home and Cotton Games teams, as Mr. Pumpkin Kowloon Walled City whisks players off to explore Hong Kong; more notably the Kowloon Walled City. It’s here where you join Mr. Pumpkin as he sets off on a little magical adventure, in hope of learning more about the people he meets.
The thing is, Pumpkin’s trip fast goes south and as he embarks on a hot air balloon tour, a mysterious vortex drags them in. It’s here where the strange Walled City starts to come to life. Mr. Pumpkin will learn about the citizens’ stories and struggles as he searches for a way to activate the mystical Dragon Gate and escape from the walls of the city. But it won’t be easy.
Thankfully, or not if you like a bit of point-and-clicking, Mr. Pumpkin 2: Kowloon Walled City ditches the previous point-and-click mechanics for something more streamlined and user friendly. It’ll have you controlling Pumpkin directly, as you help him navigate the twisted paths of dense buildings of the land. There will be a ton of interactivity too, along with items to collect, characters to chat to, and a whole world to begin to understand.
In fact, key features-wise, this is set with Mr. Pumpkin 2: Kowloon Walled City covering the following…
- An adventure filled with amusing characters, challenging puzzles, and fascinating historical details
- Beautiful cartoon-style 2D artwork and animation
- Streamlined and intuitive interface and controls
- Live-action intro movie
We’re working on a full review of Mr. Pumpkin 2: Kowloon Walled City on Xbox this very minute and it’ll be live in the days ahead. For now though, the low asking price of £4.99 probably puts this in the temptation bracket, particularly if you played the first game. Whichever, the Xbox Store will sort you out with a download.
Game Description:
Mr. Pumpkin 2: Kowloon Walled City is a sequel to the Mr. Pumpkin franchise. Our protagonist, an insignificant guy with a pumpkin head, will explore the Kowloon Walled City of Hong Kong, and witness the stories happening within these walls. The plot is set in the historical sites of Hong Kong, and is a tribute to the golden age of Hong Kong films. Kowloon Walled City was a settlement in Hong Kong under British rule. It was both a hell and a utopia, formed by intertwined streets, aged buildings, dazzling neon lights and dark narrow alleys. In the game, you will travel through the Walled City by Hong Kong’s traditional transport such as cable car, double-decker bus and tramway, from episode to episode, experiencing a Hong Kong version of the famous painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival. Kowloon is literally associated with the Chinese dragon, which will be a key motif of the game. To progress, you need to solve the puzzles and mysteries you encounter, break the code of the Dragon Gate, and help Mr. Pumpkin find a way out of the chaotic Walled City. However, you will come to realize that it is not only chaos that lies in the heart of the city. The people living within the shadowy walls have always been longing for the light from outside. They have been striving to survive, chasing their dreams and love. May the spirit of Hong Kong shine upon your journey in the Walled City.
