Review: Poly Bridge 2

Poly Bridge is a hit indie game released in 2016. It is currently available for PC, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. And now, its anticipated sequel is finally here on PC. I personally am new to this series, so I can’t tell you how Poly Bridge 2 compares to the original. But if you’re wondering how this game is from a newcomer’s perspective, you’re in luck! 

Poly Bridge 2 is part bridge building simulator, part puzzle game. Bridge building simulators are nothing new, but what makes the Poly Bridge series stand out is its fun visual presentation and accessibility. You don’t need to know anything about bridge building to play Poly Bridge 2. If you can make a triangle, you can build a bridge. 

With each level, you’re given a set budget and materials that vary from level to level. You start off with the basics: road and wood. Later on, the game introduces new materials like cables for support and pistons to make drawbridges. Different types of vehicles come into play too. There are also other objectives like getting certain collectables along the way or avoiding crossing vehicles like planes or boats. 

Poly Bridge 2’s open ended gameplay is especially addicting. You’re given certain limitations, but you’re otherwise allowed to solve each problem your own way. It’s immensely satisfying to cheese a level and get by with a solution the developers probably didn’t intend. For example, in one level I was supposed to make a drawbridge but I simply built an arch over the ship instead.

Due to its systemic nature, it can be occasionally frustrating. Sometimes you’ll have the right idea on how to beat the level, but just a few things are off where you’ll have to start from square one. I don’t consider this an actual fault of the game, just a side effect of the game’s system.

Another problem I have is the lack of a helpful tutorial. There are tutorials in place, but they give you the bare minimum. While the trial and error aspect is fun, the way the game just throws you into new concepts without proper explanation leads to frustrating difficulty spikes. I found myself hitting walls and took breaks from playing the game because they threw in challenges with concepts I had no prior experience with. 

Any frustration is however offset by its very relaxing soundtrack by composer Adrien Talens. The music relaxes your brain and reinforces the idea that you have to be patient.  

While the game is technically single player, it’s actually really fun to play if you have a friend with you. Sharing ideas, giving each other feedback, and yelling at each other until you realize your friend was right and you were wrong. It’s all a fun process.

As fun as it is to play, it is also fun to watch. A good way to get inspired if you’re feeling stuck is to watch someone else play it. They will definitely come up with ideas you haven’t thought of, and those ideas can inspire you to play in ways you otherwise wouldn’t. It’s also fun to watch streamers laugh at their own failures or just barely get by a level. I can’t wait to watch more people play this game as the community comes up with more and more creative ways to play.

There are even online leaderboards. The lower the budget you use to make a successful bridge, the higher your score. And you can directly compare your score to your Steam friends if you’re feeling competitive. This can encourage even more creativity, or at the very least, can teach you to be more efficient with your resources. It’s very satisfying to finish a bridge under budget. And it can be fun to tweak your bridges just to shave off some of your budget. Budget doesn’t carry over to other levels, but saving your budget is rewarding by itself.

On the surface, Poly Bridge 2 didn’t seem like it was going to be my thing. But, its relaxing music, fun presentation, and experimental approach to puzzle solving made for an experience that was consistently fun and interesting. It’ll take some time to get the hang of, but it’s something I genuinely recommend to anyone.