Garten of Banban 2

Released on March 3, 2023, *Garten of Banban 2* is an indie horror game developed and published by the Euphoric Brothers. It serves as a direct sequel, continuing the unsettling narrative established in the first installment of the series. The game plunges players back into the deceptively cheerful yet sinister world of Banban's Kindergarten, a place where childhood innocence has been warped into something nightmarish. The story of *Garten of Banban 2* picks up immediately after the events of its predecessor. The protagonist, a parent searching for their missing child, finds themselves descending deeper into the kindergarten's secrets. This descent is made literal when an elevator crash sends them into a massive, previously undiscovered underground facility beneath the kindergarten. The primary objective remains to navigate this bizarre and dangerous environment, survive the monstrous residents, and ultimately uncover the horrifying truth behind the establishment and the disappearance of its inhabitants. Gameplay in *Garten of Banban 2* builds upon the foundation of the first game, combining elements of exploration, puzzle-solving, and stealth. Players must traverse the new, expansive subterranean levels, interacting with various objects to progress. A key mechanic is the use of a drone, which can be piloted to reach inaccessible areas and manipulate the environment. The puzzles are integrated into the narrative, often requiring players to repair equipment or find keycards to unlock new sections of the facility. The game introduces a variety of new challenges and minigames, including classroom-like settings with twisted lessons on subjects like math and kindness, hosted by the unsettling character Banbaleena. Chase sequences with the monstrous mascots are also a recurring element, demanding quick reflexes from the player. The cast of characters in *Garten of Banban 2* is expanded, introducing new threats while reacquainting players with familiar faces. Among the new antagonists are the spider-like Nabnab, the slow but menacing Slow Seline, and the enigmatic Zolphius. Returning characters include the titular Banban, Jumbo Josh, and the Opila Bird, who is now accompanied by her chicks. These characters are far from the friendly mascots they were designed to be, having become twisted and malevolent entities that stalk the player throughout the game. The narrative is further fleshed out through discoverable notes and secret tapes, which provide insight into the kindergarten's dark experiments and the creation of the mascots from human DNA and a substance called Givanium. The reception for *Garten of Banban 2* has been mixed. On one hand, many players have found it to be an improvement over the first game, offering more content, more scares, and more engaging puzzles. The expansion of the lore and the introduction of new characters have also been praised. On the other hand, the game has faced criticism for its short length, with some players able to complete it in under two hours. The graphics and overall polish have also been points of contention, with some critics and players finding them to be uninspired or "lazy." Despite these criticisms, the game has garnered a significant following and has been noted for its "oddly charming" and inoffensive nature by some. The game's user reviews on Steam are categorized as "Mixed," reflecting the divided opinion of the player base.