Heave Ho 2 Will Put Your Grip to the Test
I’ll admit, I have no idea what Heave Ho is. At least, I didn’t until about a week ago. And it hurts that I missed out on all the fun because I love everything about the concept. You’re a little head with two arms. You grab things, you swing, you inevitably drag your friends off a ledge. Simple as that, and brilliant because of it. Here’s another thing I didn’t know – Heave Ho has sold close to a million copies. I guess the appetite for a sequel was never really in question. So, developer Le Cartel Studio is back to satisfy that hunger with Heave Ho 2.
Having spent a brief period of time with an early build, the first thing I’ll say is Heave Ho 2 takes all of five seconds to get completely chaotic. Fair warning to anyone planning a game night with their significant other: this one has real relationship-stress potential. If one of you can’t hang, install the Sims. It’s that simple.
Surprising Physics
Two to four players control the aforementioned head with arms that rely entirely on their extendable limbs to grab ledges, objects, and each other. What surprised me most was how well the physics actually hold up. Nothing feels floaty or arbitrary — there’s logic to how your character swings and transfers momentum, which makes misplays easier to understand.
Nine new worlds are packed with fresh mechanics and gadgets, including pop guns, sauce bottles, levers, keys, and drones. Even with limited playtime, the interactivity was tons of fun. These aren’t just obstacle courses with new wallpaper slapped on. Themed settings like ninja and medieval levels add variety, each bringing its own distinct personality.
Grab Your Sunnies
The presentation leans hard into a cartoon aesthetic — bright, poppy, and bursting with color. It suits the tone perfectly, though players sensitive to bright screens might feel it in the forehead before long. I sure did. The soundtrack, however, is a pleasant surprise; it stays lively without becoming grating, which is no small feat for a game designed around screaming at your friends and telling them they suck.
Most importantly, after my time with Heave Ho 2, I think I get why it appeals to so many people. It’s dead simple. Executing anything with four people involved remains spectacularly difficult. The best moments happen when things go catastrophically wrong: thirty seconds of careful coordination unraveling the instant someone lets go with the wrong hand.
Bring a Friend
The biggest structural addition is something the original sorely missed. For the first time in the series, online co-op lets players team up remotely, while traditional couch co-op returns for local multiplayer. Nintendo Switch 2 players also get Game Share support, meaning one copy can be shared locally or online with up to three others. At a $9.99 price point, the barrier to dragging your friends in is essentially non-existent.
My time with Heave Ho 2 was short, but it told me what I needed to know. Le Cartel hasn’t tried to reinvent anything — they’ve sharpened what already worked and given it room to breathe. And, damnit, I’m not missing it this time around.
***A Steam demo was provided for this preview***
