Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie

"Shaky legs and arms of thunder"

I'll just start on by going how silly people can be...I picked this game up as a Limited Edition used game for half the price. Id always been interested in this game but money always seemed to be a problem, until I found it used. Now getting down to the actual game:

Graphics: 8
This game looks stunning, even though it is on the aging PS2. The developers used the secret power of the Ps2, and focused on creating expansive places which absorbs the player in their sheer magnitude. But, the game though being stunning, suffers from some very minor graphical glitches, such as enemies getting a bit stuck in a wall or some such, but they are all minor.

Audio: 9
As you'd expect from a big movie-game tie-in, this game has got an amazing soundtrack. Orchestrated, grand music when you come across amazing places and creepy music every time something horrible is about to happen.

It has also all the original voice-acting, which creates a lot of the tension as you can hear Jack Black screaming for help, while he's being eaten by millipedes. The natural sounds also are amazing...the sounds of sizzling fire, waterfalls, tumbling stones...is all good.

Gameplay: 9
Now to thing which makes or breaks a game; the gameplay. As you've seen the little number up there, I gave it a 9. I think its quite deserving, as this game is one the most intense game I've ever played. Its split into two parts. One part you play as Jack Driscoll, the other you play as Kong (Hell yeah!!).

First of all, there is no HUD in the FPS section of the game. This could scare off some people, but this actually works very well in the game. It makes you more immersed in the game, putting you really in the shoes of Jack Driscoll.
The button layout is much like other FPS's, and this creates a sense of familiarity. The game gives you oldskool weapons with limited ammo. and spears which you have to kill insects and dinos with (pretty daunting, no?). But its do-able, but the sense of knowing you are inferior to the creatures creates amazing atmosphere. There are many other nuances when playing as Jack, like setting bait, putting animals on fire, hiding and all that, but its so much cooler when you find out for yourself while playing the game, so Im not going to spoil it all here.

The 2nd part, is Kongs. The big gorilla who everybody loves. His part of the game is pretty damn fun, and nothing at all like the FPS part. With Kong, you dont have to be scared or have to think about ammo at crucial point....you just go gung-ho on everybody and everything (well, all except Ann of course). Kinda like God of War, actually, but with the added sense of always protecting Ann. Ann adds some good points to the gameplay, as you could protect Ann in your hand, but then you wont be able to fight properly. On the other hand, if you put Ann down, you could properly, but theres a chance Ann might be eaten by things....choices, choices....thats what makes this game awesome. Anyway, thats enough about gameplay, moving on.

(Re)Playability; 9
Another 9, as you see. This game takes about 15 hours if you really see a lot on the first playthrough. But the catch is that after completing the game, you unlock a "score" table, where you can score different scores by replaying levels. You'll then unlock different secrets (VERY worthwhile).

A point, I'd like to add is that no level will be the same once you've played it. Every scenario will never be the same again as everything changes with what style you play. You play aggressive and gonna kill everybody ?? Or you gonna go hide until every animal has killed each other and there is only one left for you to kill ?? And this is one the games many charms.

Conclusion: A pretty solid 9.
A very fine game, that will entertain you very much. For a very long time too, as the factors make this game a new experience every time you play it. A definite purchase, even if you gotta buy it used or as a Platinum game.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/08/06