“The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas” Review — A Festive Adventure Worth Unwrapping

Can one ever get enough of Christmas?

For some, Christmas is not only a season that brings out the merriest of feelings, but something that should arrive more than once a year. Others… well, they may be, how can we say… a little grinchy?

And yes, for all intents and purposes, we are referencing that iconic, seasonally scowling someone who happens to be pure green. After all, regardless of whether he has ever truly given his full consent, the Grinch has become as much of a staple of the holiday season as cookies are to Santa.

Okay, that may have also given him some ideas.

Watch your milk and cookies this year, everyone!

Jokes and holiday puns aside, there is something about the season that makes us all turn — maybe a little side-eyed — toward the beloved tale that is How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, as well as its many forms and retellings.

From the various films it has inspired to the endless array of seasonal merchandise, and even the original book itself, the Grinch has certainly found his place among our festive traditions.

But while all of that is fun and feeds into our seasonal excitement, there is still so much more to explore surrounding not only the Grinch himself, but also the whimsical world he calls home: Whoville.

And now, thanks to an all-new game from Outright Games, fans of this classic Dr. Seuss tale can experience that world in a whole new way across consoles and PC.

Tag your best festive friends and get ready to play — because BSCKids is already game!

In this new adventure, The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas, we are setting things off on a new green foot.

Rather than scheming to prevent the residents of Whoville from enjoying their joy-filled holiday, this time the Grinch is embracing the Christmas spirit and leaping headfirst into the fun, festive feat of decking out a dashing Douglas fir.

But creating a tree that will delight and charm the residents of Whoville isn’t an easy feat.

Especially when you have the preexisting reputation of one only recently changed Grinch.

Oh no, the Grinch is going all out in this high-stakes Christmas challenge. And he’s going to need you — the player — to be on top of your game so he can come out golden.

With the controller and the story in your hands, players take on the role of the Grinch as he navigates various levels and settings in his quest to spread Christmas cheer.

The game begins inside the Grinch’s own humble abode, known as the Grinch’s Cave. It’s a darker setting, one that feels more reflective of Christmases past than the present.

There, the stage is set.

The Grinch, with some later assistance from Max, must race to collect the ornaments he needs to deck out his tree and achieve his festive goal.

Players will run, jump and even strike objects to collect their targets, all while avoiding falling hazards and moving obstacles that threaten to hinder their progress.

Once past the Cave, players advance to the wintry backdrop of the very slippery slopes of Mt. Crumpit before eventually arriving on the busy and challenging streets of Whoville.

With each level introducing additional gameplay features, more objects to collect, hidden paths, increasingly difficult challenges and more, it’s up to you to help the Grinch prove that he can be just as jolly as anyone else.

It’s more than just jingle bells hanging in the balance on this silent night.

While the game offers its own growing complexities, it never makes you feel as though overcoming certain challenges will be an uphill battle.

Rather, it encourages players to think more strategically and find clever ways to navigate the path ahead. After all, no game is much fun without a few challenging feats along the way.

There is enough here to keep you on your toes while still allowing you to settle into a cozier, more relaxed seasonal gaming experience.

And that balance is one of the game’s greatest charms.

It makes The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas a wonderful, lower-stakes, family-friendly adventure that feels right at home during holiday gatherings or even while traveling.

With both single-player and multiplayer options, it’s also a fun way to keep younger — or simply young-at-heart — players entertained while the holiday preparations are in full swing.

And we can’t overlook the presentation.

Between the well-coordinated soundtrack and wonderfully festive environments, there are moments when you genuinely feel as though you’ve stepped inside a fantastical Christmas wonderland pulled straight from the beloved tale.

From the darker surroundings of the Grinch’s Cave to the snowy slopes of Mt. Crumpit and the bustling streets of Whoville, each setting brings something different to the adventure.

It also helps highlight just how much life has changed for the Grinch himself.

A character who once wanted nothing more than to steal Christmas away is now doing everything he can to make it something wonderful.

And this time, we get to help him do it.

That alone makes the experience a true delight.

While I’m not exactly the most active gamer myself, I couldn’t help but enjoy the more relaxed nature of the game — at least until I suddenly found myself ducking and dodging moving objects!

With the various moving parts and ever-expanding environments, you have to think on your feet, approach obstacles strategically and occasionally be willing to rethink your next move.

And I enjoyed that.

The game doesn’t demand that you be an experienced player to have a good time, but it also doesn’t hand you every victory without asking you to put in a little effort.

Instead, it wraps fun and critical thinking together in one festive, gift-wrapped package.

It’s truly wondrous.

And a challenge, too! But as someone who has never been one to shy away from a challenge, this adventure felt right at home inside my stocking, nestled beside the candy canes.

Gaming, like everything else, has changed over the years.

And so has the Grinch.

But the joy of the holiday season and the simple pleasure of gaming together as a family remain timeless.

Bringing those two experiences together creates something that feels wonderfully familiar, delightfully festive and worth returning to when the Christmas season rolls around again.

After all, the Grinch may have once tried to steal Christmas, but this time, he’s giving families another reason to enjoy it together.

And isn’t that what makes the season so wonderful?

So, this holiday season, gather the family for a little festive fun with The Grinch 2: Saving Christmas.

The game is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.