Ape Escape 2

"Monkeys and the Dualshock 2 are a great combination"

Overview:
This game revives the platformer genre. Ape Escape 2 has a colorful setting and interesting gameplay style that sucks you in the moment you snag your first monkey. This is what games are all about. A simple goal, such as saving a princess or capturing a monkey can offer so much fun. Filled with replay value and innovation, this seemingly childish game of monkeys ranks up with the platformer greats such as Super Mario 3.

Graphics: Simply beautiful. Its so bright and colorful that you feel like you're playing in a cartoon. And the monkeys, oh the monkeys, are about the coolest looking characters on the PS2. They have flashing police lights on they're head that flash when you chase them...its just hilarious. The game is worth it just to show your friends some monkeys. Oh an yes, excellent lighting and water effects. Good character and gadget design. Everything is so attractive. The strongest point in the graphics is the abundance of levels just 33% in you will ecounter over a dozen beautifully designed levels: From an ancient citadel to a chinese temple complete with its own great wall...its clear that this game is great eye candy

Gameplay: The games goal is simple: use your gadgets to catch cheeky monkeys. How you go about that goal is very varied and intersting. It will involve you using a lightsaber and a RC car...or a handheld helicopter. Very fast pased and exciting, this game is very hard to put down. Not to mention, each monkey has a different personality. Some monkeys are docile and stupid, and others have missle launchers. Each monkey requires a different strategy. Overall, its an excellent game! Oh and theres plenty of things to unlock....and I mean PLENTY! In the levels you collect coins. Then later in the main hub you go to a machine thing and insert your coins to collect prizes. You can win cookies, 3 mini-games, extra lives, comic strips, and monkey folklore...thats right monkey folk tales...its very rewarding to play.

Controls: Ape Escape 2 has you use both analog sticks at all times, and has the jump button mapped on R1 and your gadgets mapped on the 4 main buttons. Very easy to learn and extremely functional.

Overall: This game can be the perfect rental or the perfect buy. If your like me and have no money then rent it. But if you do have money...by all means buy it! It may not have violence in it and is chalked full of J-pop...but its one hell of a good ride!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/12/03, Updated 07/12/03