Double Fine’s Costume Quest 2 sends Wren and Reynold back through time to save Halloween from a dentist with a terrible plan. The 2014 RPG, available on multiple platforms, asks players to pick one of the twins and join them on a journey across past and future to stop Dr. Orel White from wiping Halloween from history. It is a sequel that leans on nostalgia, a new battle system, and a story that doubles down on the charm of its predecessor.
Trailer, via Midnight City.
The Twins and Their Friends
Wren and Reynold are the stars of Costume Quest 2. Players choose one to lead the party, and each twin comes with their own distinct personality. Their friends round out the roster, including Monty, who helps the kids find the talisman in the past, and Halley, Everett and Lucy’s daughter, who shows up in the future when the kids are captured.
The story picks up after the events of the original’s DLC, “Grubbins on Ice,” where Everett, Lucy, Wren, and Reynold were trapped in a nexus of portals. They jump into one, and the player chooses which sibling to follow. That choice shapes the perspective throughout the adventure, even as the plot unfolds the same way for both twins.
Time Travel Across Past and Future
The central gimmick of Costume Quest 2 is time travel. Players move between three timelines: the past, before the foundation of the children’s hometown; the present Halloween night; and the future, where Halloween has been outlawed and Orel rules a dental dystopia. Each timeline offers a different set of quests, candy spots, and monsters to fight.
The past timeline introduces a younger version of Orel White, who stalls the kids’ progress. In the future, the kids are captured and sent to a school, where they find Halley and must escape together. The time travel structure gives the game a non-linear shape, letting players revisit earlier locations in later chapters.
Monsters, Costumes, and Combat
Combat in Costume Quest 2 works much like the original, but with upgrades. Players collect candy and costumes as they explore, then equip them during battles. The twist is that the kids transform into towering versions of their disguises, becoming giant Hallowarriors to face monsters in turn-based fights.
The new combat system adds counters and double attacks, giving battles more depth than the first game offered. It is a welcome change, though the pacing can slow during longer encounters. The costume transformations remain the highlight, turning simple outfits into towering champions.
Counters and Double Attacks
The battle system in Costume Quest 2 introduces counters and double attacks, mechanics not found in the original. These additions give players more options in combat, rewarding timing and planning. The system is easier to understand than some RPGs, which makes it accessible to newcomers while still offering depth for returning fans.
The bird’s-eye view, similar to the isometric perspective of the first game, keeps the action readable even when the screen fills with enemies. Players can see the whole battlefield at once, which helps with positioning and decision-making during fights.
A Story Built Around Halloween
The plot centers on Dr. Orel White, a sinister dentist who wants to wipe Halloween from history and rule over a candy-free dental dystopia. His schemes drive the adventure, sending the kids through time to stop him. The story also includes an older Everett, who reveals himself as the man hiding in the bush who opens the portal to the future.
Older Everett and his wife Lucy task the kids with retrieving a talisman that opens a gateway to the monster world. The kids fail to prevent future Orel from stealing it, which sends them to the future school where they find Halley. The failure sets up a sequence of events that forces the kids to become allies with younger Orel, who eventually helps defeat his future self in the final battle.
A Tale of Two Siblings
The choice between Wren and Reynold shapes how the story is told, even though the plot remains the same for both paths. Players get a slightly different set of lines and reactions depending on which twin they pick, but the core adventure stays consistent. This is a small touch, but it adds replay value for players who want to see the other side of the story.
The bird’s-eye view works well for the game’s scale, letting players see the whole battlefield at once during battles. It is a natural fit for a game about moving through streets and houses, and it keeps the action easy to follow.
Where the Game Falls Short
Costume Quest 2 is not without its flaws. Some players may find the pacing slow, particularly in the middle chapters where the story slows down between major plot points. The combat system, while improved, still relies on familiar turn-based patterns that may feel repetitive to longtime RPG players.
The game’s humor is also uneven. Some jokes land well, while others miss the mark, and the tone shifts between light comedy and darker undertones tied to the dentist’s schemes. The game tries to balance fun and menace, but the contrast can be jarring at times.
A Sequel Worth Playing
Costume Quest 2 succeeds because it builds on what made the original work. The costume transformations remain the game’s strongest feature, and the new combat system gives them a reason to shine. The story is unmistakably Double Fine, full of charm and a willingness to take risks with its plot.
The game’s platform support is extensive, spanning multiple systems. That breadth means players can pick it up on whatever system they own, which is a strong selling point for a game with this level of polish.
Key Facts
– Platforms: Multiple systems, including PC, Mac, and consoles
– Developer: Double Fine Productions
– Publisher: Midnight City, Majesco Entertainment
– Genre: RPG, TBS, Adventure
– Themes: Action, Comedy
– Modes: Single player
– Perspective: Bird’s-eye view / Isometric
Comparison Table
| Feature | Costume Quest | Costume Quest 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Main characters | Wren and Reynold | Wren and Reynold |
| Battle system | Basic turn-based | Improved, with counters and double attacks |
| Setting | Present-day Halloween | Past, present, and future |
| Combat transformations | Yes | Yes, with new mechanics |
| Story | Original plot | Sequel, picking up after “Grubbins on Ice” |
Our Verdict
Costume Quest 2 is a solid sequel that respects its predecessor while adding enough new content to justify a return trip. The combat system is improved, the costume transformations are still the best part, and the story delivers a satisfying arc that changes the heart of its villain.
It is not perfect. The pacing drags in places, and the humor is inconsistent, but the game’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses. For fans of the original, or anyone looking for a charming Halloween adventure, Costume Quest 2 is worth playing.
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