The world of Snezhinka: Sentinel Girls 2 is one filled with mechanised threats, intense battles, and an intricate economy system that demands strategic decision-making. Developed by Hinyari9 and published by PLAYISM, this sequel to Marfusha: Sentinel Girls offers a fast-paced shooter experience with a strong anime-inspired aesthetic. Originally released on PC via Steam in August 2024, the game has recently made its way to consoles, launching on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series on February 13, 2025. But does Snezhinka live up to the hype, or does it fall into the trap of repetitiveness? 
Story and Setting
Players take on the role of Snezhinka, a young soldier that takes the mercenary job meant for her sister, who has been wounded in battle in the war against mechanised enemies. Enlisting in the private military group known as the Blue Peacock Company, Snezhinka must defend key infrastructure while navigating a war-torn world. The game boasts multiple endings—up to nine in total—offering plenty of replayability for those who enjoy exploring different narrative outcomes based on their choices and battle companions.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay is simple yet engaging, with players defending objectives against relentless waves of enemies using an arsenal of weapons, gadgets, and strategic resource management. Earnings from missions are heavily taxed, forcing players to make careful decisions when upgrading their gear and abilities.
One of the core mechanics is hiring a co-worker—an NPC companion who fights alongside you. Each co-worker has a unique combat style and weapon preference, adding variety to gameplay. Leveling up co-workers or switching between them unlocks different endings and even carries over their stats in subsequent playthroughs, giving players an initial advantage in early levels. The barracks serve as a hub between missions, allowing players to choose bonuses to their stats or credits.
Weapons and items are acquired through a randomised selection of three options at the end of each level. With a wide variety of firearms and gadgets, players can tailor their loadouts to suit their preferred playstyle. However, weapons degrade over time, requiring frequent investment in replacements—another strategic element that ensures players stay on top of their resource management.
Game Modes: Story vs. Challenge
The game features two distinct modes: Story Mode and Challenge Mode. Story Mode provides a structured narrative experience with forgiving mechanics—if players are defeated, they can simply retry from where they left off, making it accessible even for casual gamers.
Challenge Mode, on the other hand, offers a more hardcore, arcade-like experience. There are no retries—once you game over, that’s it. Your performance is recorded in online rankings, making this mode well-suited for players who enjoy competitive leaderboards and pushing themselves to achieve high scores.
Presentation and Art Style
Visually, Snezhinka: Sentinel Girls 2 is a treat for anime and pixel-art enthusiasts. The pixel-art design captures the dystopian setting beautifully, immersing players in a world filled with war-torn landscapes and intense firefights. For those who love the art, the game even includes a gallery mode where players can view some of the artwork, concept art and character designs.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Pros:
- Engaging Story & Multiple Endings: The branching narrative and various co-worker paths provide high replayability.
- Accessible Gameplay: Simple controls and forgiving mechanics make it easy for newcomers to pick up.
- Visually Stunning: The anime-inspired pixel art is highly detailed and visually appealing.
- Strategic Resource Management: The taxation system forces players to think carefully about their upgrades and purchases.
- Challenge Mode for Competitive Players: The arcade-style Challenge Mode provides an extra layer of difficulty and leaderboard rankings.
Cons:
- Lack of High Difficulty Options: The game only offers Easy and Normal difficulties, making it feel too forgiving for seasoned players.
- Repetitiveness: While the fast-paced gameplay keeps things moving, some players may find the level structure, enemies and mission loops repetitive.
- Weapon Durability System: Frequently replacing weapons can feel more like a chore than a meaningful strategic element.
Final Verdict
Snezhinka: Sentinel Girls 2 successfully builds on the foundation of its predecessor, delivering a fun, fast-paced shooter with engaging story elements and a compelling art style. While it may not provide enough of a challenge for more experienced players, its multiple endings and strategic elements make it a worthwhile experience for fans of anime-style action games. If you’re looking for a stylish tower-defense shooter with light RPG mechanics, this game is definitely worth a shot. However, if you’re seeking a truly punishing challenge, Challenge Mode may be your best bet.
