iZBOT 2 Review – Is the Sequel Worth It?

Let me state the obvious upfront: I made this game. Take what I say with that in mind. What I can offer that most reviewers can't is a complete picture of what iZBOT 2 was designed to do — and whether it actually does it.

What Is iZBOT 2?

The precision platformer sequel

iZBOT 2 is the sequel to my first Steam game, iZBOT, which I shipped in 2016 as a solo part-time developer from Australia. The original was a focused precision platformer — tight controls, instant respawn, short levels designed to be mastered through repetition. iZBOT 2 takes that formula and expands it.

The core loop is unchanged: guide a nimble robot through hazard-filled levels. Die instantly on contact with anything. Respawn instantly. Try again. The design philosophy — short levels, immediate feedback, skills built through repetition — is fully intact in the sequel.

What's New

More content, new mechanics, harder difficulty

iZBOT 2 brings more levels and new mechanics that expand on the original's foundation. The controls remain the same tight, responsive system that the first game built its reputation on. What changes is what the game asks you to do with those controls.

The difficulty curve in iZBOT 2 is steeper. Players who found the original challenging but fair should expect the sequel to push that boundary further. This isn't difficulty for its own sake — it's the natural escalation of a series where the audience is assumed to have already mastered the basics.

If the original iZBOT was designed for players who'd never played a precision platformer, iZBOT 2 is designed for players who've finished one and want more.

Steam Reception

What other players say

iZBOT 2 is available on Steam with user reviews from real players. The Steam review system is the most honest signal I can point you to — it's not under my control, and it reflects a broad range of player experiences across different skill levels and play styles.

The feedback I've received directly from players aligns with what I intended: it's harder than the original, the controls feel good, and the level design rewards persistence. The same traits that defined iZBOT — fair challenge, instant restart, no padding — carry over fully.

Should You Play iZBOT 2?

Who it's for and who should start with the original

Play iZBOT 2 if: You've played precision platformers before and want a challenge. You've completed or mostly completed iZBOT 1 and want more. You're confident in your platformer skills and aren't easily discouraged by difficulty.

Start with the original iZBOT if: You're new to precision platformers. You want to understand where the mechanics come from before the sequel raises the difficulty bar. At $9.99, the original is a lower-friction entry point to the series.

Both games are standalone — you don't need to play the original to understand iZBOT 2. But playing them in order gives you a natural difficulty progression that I'd recommend if you have the option.

The Honest Bottom Line

A developer's verdict on his own game

iZBOT 2 is a better-designed game than the original. I had more experience, a clearer vision, and the benefit of watching how players actually engaged with iZBOT 1. The level design is more intentional, the mechanics more refined.

Is it for everyone? No. Precision platformers are a niche genre by design, and iZBOT 2 is firmly within that niche. If you know you enjoy games where skill and persistence are the point — where clearing a level you've failed 50 times is its own reward — this is built for you.

Check the Steam reviews for a broader perspective. Then make your own call.