Vector 2 Review, Tips and Tricks: Become the Mobile Parkour King

Our Vector 2 game review and guide takes a closer look at the parkour-packed sequel to the original and still-brilliant Vector for iPhone and Android devices, and gives you beginner’s tips and tricks to get started with the game.

Vector 2 game review (iOS/Android)

We’re such big fans of the original Vector that we included it in our list of the best free Android games of all time. This simple side-scrolling platformer is reminiscent of Mirror’s Edge and those endless runner games, except it does actually end (a blessed relief if you have creaky joints like us). All you need to do is swipe up and down to jump, slide and roll your way through each level, as the shadow-like hero sprints his way past lasers, mines and other obstacles to reach the exit. Nice and simple, yet fiendishly addictive.

Vector 2 doesn’t shake up the winning gameplay, but adds a bunch of extra features including armoured outfits that can be upgraded and pimped out to give you a better chance of survival. Each successful run gives you more cash to spend on items, but of course there’s the option to ‘cheat’ by buying extra in-game cash with real money. This is a free-to-play game after all.

Good news is, Vector 2 isn’t purposefully unfair to force you to splash your cash. Occasionally you’ll drop onto an unseen mine, which can be quite infuriating, but for the most part any failures are down to your own dampened reactions. With a bit of practice, you’ll be belting through levels like a master parkourest (is that even a word?).

Vector 2’s levels also occasionally split into two, offering more than one path to the exit. These are clearly marked with signs that indicate which path is the more difficult, giving you the choice; do you play it safe and reach the end, or do you take the trickier route and unlock more skills and tricks, which in turn means more loot?

As it’s free to play and supremely addictive, we’d definitely recommend giving Vector 2 a go to all Android and iPhone owners. And if you’re struggling to progress, check out our Vector 2 tips and tricks guide below.

Vector 2 tips and tricks guide

Having a tough time with Vector 2? Here’s some tips to beating each level.

• If you find that you’re always running into obstacles, try flicking your finger sharply up or down the screen a split second earlier than normal. There’s a very brief response delay, but it’s enough to send you to your death if your timing isn’t just right.
• To get more chips, cash and upgrades, you should aim to complete your Vector 2 objectives as quickly as possible. In the Vector 2 game menu, tap the Journal icon at the bottom of the screen. This lists all of your current objectives (marked with a yellow circle), as well as any completed tasks (marked with a tick). 
• Completing some objectives also gives you a new Run Protocol, which allows you to start from set levels when you die, rather than returning you to the very start of the game. For instance, when you complete the Endurance Test (ticked off by finishing level 3), you will then get the Standard Run Protocol, which starts you at level 3. Finish the Planned Upgrade task and you get the Advanced Run Protocol which starts you at level 6, and so on. You can access these protocols by tapping the icon that looks like armour at the bottom of the game menu.
• You can get a free chip with no real effort, by tapping the Plus icon at the top of the Vector 2 game menu. Scroll past the paid options and you’ll see that you can get a free chip by watching a short ad. Pipsqueak.

Got any Vector 2 cheats, tips or hints of your own? Let us know in the comments below.