Waifu Discovered 2: Medieval Fantasy | Nintendo Switch Review

One Hand Free Studios upped the ante, and pushed the envelope further with this follow-up entry to their lewd shmup game, "Waifu Uncovered". While some mechanics return, and the censorship gimmick is back to double down this latest experience is definitely an upgrade in many ways. Visually, and mechanically. Returning pilot K. Vaio Jr., and his joining team of animal headed humanoid protagonists face a new threat, or rather face a threat that is threatening the youthful state of sexy waifu maidens. It seems some otherworldly creatures have cursed the clothes of these gals, and made it so that it ages them. Stepping in as your guide, and shopkeeper Bru-ha, a witch of sorts, helps you to break the curse by once again shrinking your ship, and sending you forth with upgrades to shed some cursed attire. It is with Bru-ha's help you'll either succeed or fail as you venture forth into unclothed territory.

Waifu Discovered 2 brings with it three modes of play, and new features tailored to it's lewd premise. At base level you gain access to three different modes with two of the modes being available from the start. These modes include Beginner, Arcade, and One Hand Free mode. Similar if not the same to the previous entry's offerings. The Beginner mode is your story driven affair with Bru-ha chiming in to shed light on the waifu's current predicament, and offer upgrade services through her shop after each stage is completed. Her wares include ship upgrades to things like speed, shields, bombs, multi-shot, and other shmup related features. You purchase these wares, and eventual level-ups using coins that drop from certain enemies in each stage. Coins can be shot a certain amount of times to increase coin value before you collect them. It should be noted that upgrades in Bru-ha's shop are available in colored gem stages wherein you basically upgrade a ship function from green to red before leveling up the ship. It adds replay value, and allows your ship to grow in power as you progress.

In Arcade mode the story elements which are present in Beginner are gone, but the Bru-ha shop, and coin collecting gimmick remains. As with the previous mode it is a stage by stage playthrough set on a moving background that features an initially clothed waifu with spawning enemies that drop rune crystals which act as the clothes stripping mechanism. Collecting rune crystals in groups increases the effect simultaneously increasing the heart affection meter, and effecting the rune crystal meter. Successfully collecting enough rune crystals in a timely fashion will lead to the full stripping of the waifu depicted, and unlock a new ship if you haven't already unlocked it. Ships in the game do have stats that vary making them different in regards to handling and effectiveness. When it comes to both the Beginner, and Arcade modes there are 4 different censored filter versions with color filters including vintage 70's and 80's color palettes as well as B&W and Sepia tone images. The modes also have four censor filter options available. The first two which are unlocked from the start are fully censored, and censored. The difference being one keeps the clothes on, and the other shows more skin. Below those two options are two uncensored filters including an uncensored mode that shows only breasts, and a fully uncensored mode that reveals EVERYTHING. Of course there are secret requirements to fully revealing each waifu's underneath, and it is tied mostly to filling up that affection meter.

Stages in the two basic modes of play can be played solo or with one other local player. The stages are all about clearing waves of enemies, collecting rune crystals, filling up the heart affection meter, and capitalizing on coins for the shop sections before defeating the end boss. At the beginning of each one life run you will pick a waifu subject from two potential waifus. Each containing a mini-bio with details about their age, and measurements. Think of them as path choices. Each time you defeat a boss you will unlock an image for the game's gallery according to the censorship option you chose prior to starting. The gallery allows for the various color filters, and even allows you to remove the HUD for social media sharing purposes.

When you finally unlock the One Hands Free mode you'll gain access to what is essentially a mobile version of the previous two modes where you use the Nintendo Switch's touch screen, and one finger to guide the ship as it shoots. It's likely the most gimmicky of options in this game, and is a play on the developer studio's name. 

The Verdict ...

I know this is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. I know the lewdness and nudity can offend some people, and that's alright. For what the game is though, and how it functions it is good. It's a fun little shmup with a anime theme that is definitely only for adults. The presentation, in whole, is a quality upgrade from the first game. Both in offered content, and visual presentation. It shows that the developer put the money earned from their first entry into making an even better follow-up. If the idea of nudity offends you I'd say skip it, but if you aren't so easily offended and are looking for a fun pick up and put down shmup then this might be worth your time and money.