"Very similar to Adventure Island 1, but that's not saying much"

Three years after the original 1987 classic platformer NES game, the Adventure Island series returns with a sequel and the second in the line of the NES series. What is most noticeable about Adventure Island II is its huge similarity with its predecessor. The basic formula of the gameplay of Adventure Island 1 is also present and almost unchanged from what it was before, yet I seemed to enjoy it a lot more than I did Adventure Island 1, which had rather trickier controls to get used to and master than here, and this version is a little simpler and doesn't take too much time to get used to as the other game. Also, if you are experienced with either Adventure Island 1 or Adventure Island 3, you'll be great at this game straight away. The formula keeps the same, but even the most minor of changes are still profitable to this game...

Adventure Island II is in fact, almost identical to Adventure Island 1 in the main gameplay of the levels. You just have the usual run to the right, collect the fruit, kill the bad guys, ride the skateboard, avoid the obstacles, you know, just what you'd usually expect from your average platformer. What it now adds is a world map for you to view the locations of the island that you are visiting, and also, you can ride dinosaur creatures across the terrains that can also do your fighting for you. The game is also a lot simpler in difficulty and more enjoyable than the original Adventure Island.

You have this new hero, Higgins, who sets off on the Adventure Island to save...his kidnapped girlfriend. The more I hear this lame storyline being used in a series, the more tediously boring it gets. Despite there is a new name of the character involved, the actual plot hasn't changed, but to be fair about it, it's perfectly suitable for the game and is a good reason for why you're on this trek in the first place.

The first thing to note about Adventure Island II are its stunningly colourful, bright and excellent graphics. While the graphics in the original Adventure Island were excellent for their time, this one isn't an exception to that saying either. The graphics look either the same or improved, and are certainly much more eye-catching than before. Since the NES had aged a bit in the time between the releases of Adventure Island 1 and Adventure Island 2, the NES's power has been exploited a bit more, and the game does bring out some of the best graphics seen yet once more. The character models are also improved, which is great.

Ah, the gameplay...Adventure Island II does not fail to impress. What I have said before is that the game is quite easier so if you are new you'll have time to get used to playing and it won't be so hard as the first, but then again, if you're also experienced at the other games in the series on the NES, you'll instantly catch the drift of the formula and you'll be beating the game in no time. Like you must usually do in the Adventure Island games - progress to the right, grab the fruit, hit the enemies with your patented hammer - from the other game (yeah not much changes around in this place), and try to evade attacks from enemies.

When I first played Adventure Island 1, it took me quite a few attempts to get past the first and second levels, because it does seem a little tricky from the start. But on my first try on Adventure Island II, I beat several levels in succession, yet the game gets better and harder as you progress. Hudson have concentrated on the earlier problem of the difficulty from the original Adventure Island yet kept it enjoyable. I tip my hat to thee, good company.

A new feature is the dinosaurs to ride once you pick up a card with a random symbol on it. They fight for you and add to the gameplay. Another extra feature is the "Choose an egg" game at the end of each stage. If you play your cards right, you can win a 1-Up or for the unluckier person you just get extra points, but I liked the addition of this, too. You can also have an item select at the start of each stage. This can make your life easier in some trickier spots, I'm glad to say. This feature is quite helpful.

The controls aren't as horrid as previously either. Your man seems to be more in control of his body now and doesn't seem to slip and slide around a lot or trip over stuff, leading into the common pitfall of contacting an enemy and losing a life - a really common problem I experienced in the previous game. You'll pick up to the controls a lot quicker than in Adventure Island 1, and they're much better and smoother as well.

Next, I will move on to talk about the music and soundtracks of Adventure Island II. Better than the original (as many factors of this game tend to be), the music is much more well-composed and catchy, like the World Map tune. Stage tunes also sound cool too, and in general they're some of the best music I've heard out of a NES game. To briefly sum up the sound effects, they don't differentiate from Adventure Island 1 too much either, so I'm in general pleased with them.

The game's challenge is better than it previously was. It is simple at the start and easier than the previous game, but it gets harder as you go through more stages. You get more experienced as you play through and by the time you get into these later stages you'll be ready to tackle them. The whole game is well planned out in difficulty.

Ratings

Gameplay: 85%
Story: 20%
Graphics: 96%
Sound: 75%
Replay Value: Med-High
Overall: 86%

Adventure Island II impressed me, and is superior to its predecessor in every way. This game is perhaps the best out of the series for the NES, and it's one of the top titles I recommend getting if you like these side-scroller platform games as it's colourful, fun, not too easy nor too hard, and I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/17/04