Spark the Electric Jester 2 (or simply Spark 2) is a 2019 platform game created by Brazilian developer Felipe Daneluz. It is a 3D sequel to Daneluz's previous 2D game Spark the Electric Jester, released in 2017. Players take control of Spark's robotic counterpart, Fark, on his quest to learn his true identity and find Doctor Armstrong. Fark must be guided through various levels and may engage enemies in melee combat. While fast-paced platforming is emphasized, levels are approachable in multiple ways.
Development of Spark 2 began after the first game's release. Daneluz utilized his own unofficial 3D Sonic the Hedgehog game engine in its creation. With the exception of music composition, the game was developed by him mostly alone and was released in May 2019. Critics believed the game would appeal to players who enjoyed the Sonic Adventure titles and complimented its controls and level design. However, the combat elements and certain level sections were criticized. A sequel, Spark the Electric Jester 3, was released on August 14, 2022.
Gameplay
Departing from its 2D predecessor, Spark the Electric Jester 2 is a 3D platform game with melee elements. The player controls Spark's robotic counterpart, Fark, through various levels interspersed with boss fights and cutscenes. As Fark, the player is equipped with a dash, double jump, wall jump, and the "Jester Dash", enabling him to home in on nearby enemies. He can gain a greater amount of speed through the use of a charged dash, and is capable of running on walls, ceilings, and through vertical loops. The levels, while emphasizing fast-paced platforming, are approachable in multiple ways. They are populated by enemies of varying strength, of which engagement is typically optional. Fark is able to bounce off of smaller enemies by homing in on them, but must deal multiple attacks to defeat larger ones. Attacking enemies will build up an energy gauge, which when full allows the player to release a special attack. A shield can be activated for a few seconds to parry enemy attacks and level hazards. Parries executed just before an enemy attack lands will earn extra energy and stun the enemy. Boss fights take place in arenas and revolve around parrying and reacting to attack cues.
The player can pick up melee weapons, giving Fark unique special moves, as well as collectible pieces of concept art. These may also be purchased through a shop in exchange for Bits. For each level, two different types of medals can be earned measuring the player's score and time respectively.
Plot
After the defeat of Freom, Fark is in the care of Doctor Armstrong. Wanting to learn Fark's real name, Armstrong prepares to examine his code but is abruptly kidnapped by a grey look-alike of Fark. Fark encounters the look-alike, E.J, at the city outskirts. E.J reveals he has hidden Armstrong somewhere and has orders from Freom to kill Fark. After defeating a mech under E.J's command, Fark runs into a robotic mage named Romalo. At his advice, Fark sets off for Technoria City in pursuit of E.J, with Romalo and a formie named Astra intending to observe him. Elsewhere, E.J reconvenes with a group of robotic renegades, Flint, Double, and Float, who are also working with Freom to kill Fark.
Fark kills Float atop an abandoned castle and arrives at Technoria City. There, he is disrupted by a voice named Clarity. Introducing themselves as an artificial intelligence Armstrong created, Clarity pleads for Fark's help in stopping Freom. After defeating E.J, Fark encounters Flint, Double, and Freom. Freom reveals that Armstrong is dead and Fark's real name is Unit-2, being the creation of Freom (Unit-1). Fark subsequently defeats Double and later Flint, with the latter telling Fark not to trust Clarity.