Ape Escape 2

"What the #%$@ those monkeys doin'?!"

The true follow up to 1999's wacky and fun monkey-netting platformer is finally here, and it's well worth the wait and purchase. Ubi Soft did a great job in bringing this game to America.

You begin the game as once again a young lab assistant, this time Jimmy, as you try to nab wickedly bad monkeys who are on the loose once again. Along with help from your pals, Natalie and the Professor, you will travel through 28 fun levels (including boss levels), via a hub called the Travel Station to snatch the monkeys up in your Monkey Net, and that in-turn teleports them back into captivity. You have the help of gadgets from the first Ape Escape and some new ones, too. Some of these can be used to subdue the monkeys like a Stun Club, or a punching fist called the Magic Punch; RC cars and a Bananarang can lure the monkeys out of hiding. Others will help you traverse the levels such as a Sky Flyer, which acts as a self-propelled copter that will get you past large gaps, and an Electro Magnet that can disarm certain monkeys and latch on to metallic moving platforms. One important gadget is the Monkey Radar which shows you where the monkeys are hiding, along with stats and humorous descriptions. The gadgets are very helpful and fun to use. You can also perform moves such as a dive, use Jimmy's butt-stomp, or play dead to help nab the furry beasts.

And you're gonna need all that's given, because the monkeys themselves are as wacky as they were in the first game; some of their names and parodies are absolutely hilarious. From disco monkeys and skiing monkeys to monkeys that are truly dangerous, they are all fun to watch and capture. Aside from the monkeys there are also some rather generic enemies you must look out for--like a...Tomato Bird?! Definitely simpletons just added in for slight challenge.

By far the best addition, though, to the the series is the Gotcha Box. It's sort of like a gumball machine where you can use coins you collect from the levels. Simply deposit 10 coins, hit a switch, and a prize come out. The prize could be: a comic, some artwork, a secret photo, a level photo, soundtrack music, a cinema, a letter or note from other characters, and a monkey fable. You can also get helpful items to aid in your quest such as different types of RC cars, Cookies (which, again, are your representation of health) and Jackets (lives). Obtainable also are different pellets (explosive/guided) for your slingshot weapon, and mini-games such as dancing, soccer, and climbing. You can view all the extras you collect in your Entertainment Center, which is a sort of hold for all of your goodies, including most of the monkeys you have captured in a Monkepedia where you can see their stats and behavior. I was constantly wondering what I would get next, as it was nice to see you can use what you collect (coins) to get some extras.

As you hunt for monkeys, some side aid can help in the form of a small monkey named Pipotchi--he can help you out while riding on your head--and some cool vehicles. Pipotchi can help you make farther jumps, if you miss one, and can replenish your Cookies if you get knocked out. The vehicles that can help out are a snowmobile, and to add mayhem, you can get into a tank, or even a mech in Pipotchi's likeness. All the vehicles are fun to use especially fighting mech to mech against a mad monkey at the helm of its very own.

There are added boss battles, as well, complements of the monkeys known as the Freaky Monkey Five, which are fun and bizarre; they definitely earn their names. One boss battle has you fighting a pop singer who then transforms into a diva from hell; another has you fighting a scientist monkey's robotic interpretation of you.

And a bit of replay in both the final battle and your rewards for it are cool (the game isn't over as soon as you think it is). With time Trials to complete, to test your quickness, and to get full percentage, the levels can last a bit of time. I also like the way the levels start out small, then get progressively larger as the game goes on.

If there are any drawbacks, I would say the camera is one of them as I found it very annoying at times. Another, although small one, is the incredible similarity between this game and the first. I realize this is a sequel, but to me, it just seemed too similar in gadgets and level themes. More of the same fun isn't that bad, and these complains didn't make the game unplayable for me. Some will also find the game to be easy and a little short as well, but again it did not detract from the fun I was having given the game's infectious premise.

The controls are just as in the first Ape Escape, with the entire Dual Shock being used. If you want to hurl a pellet, from your slingshot weapon, you pull back on the right analog stick then release; hurl the Bananarang by using the same stick. The gadgets can be grafted to the four face buttons for easy access. Simply set the gadgets you prefer to the buttons, and the monkey netting can be intuitive. If you have trouble using the gadgets you can just practice with them in the Gadget Trainer. You will be adjusting the camera often and it's easy enough. Sometimes jumping (R1,R2) can be tricky, but overall the game retains the excellent control over gadgets, moves, and vehicles from the previous game.

The story consists of some zany humor and gives reason for the craziness. Instead of a shipment of pants, a shipment of helmets gets sent to the monkeys instead. The aftermath is monkey madness as the evil monkey Specter--along with his minions--once again return to try to gain dominion over the naked apes of earth. And they stop at nothing to make sure it happens. Our only hope is Jimmy and Pipotchi in action. The addition of super monkeys, in the Freaky Monkey Five, give Specter added allies in his cause. And like evil geniuses before him, a laser and the moon come into his plans. The story is filled with a lot of cute moments. And again, the game isn't over as soon as you think it is; there are two different endings to find.

While the monkeys and other enemies could have looked better, and a few new looks in outfits for Jimmy would have been welcome, I found everything else to be nicely given. From the cute characters, especially Pipotchi, to the environments of the levels the game is bright and colorful. Ape Escape 2 looks great, as it has a nice cartoony quality to it that doesn't get sickeningly sweet.

The music greatly captures the premise and is wonderfully composed. From the spastic intro theme "Monkeys on Parade" to Pink Monkey's (the pop singer/diva from hell) battle ballad that is complete with lyrics, "Escape the Ape in You," the various themes fit the overall zany elements of the game. The music for the levels is also quite good. Such is the example of the music for Land of The Apes, and for Snowball Mountain, which have a sort of distinctive calmness to them compared to other levels. My personal favorite is the bagpipe music entitled ''Gotcha Rhythm," as it's insanely catchy; I'm glad there's a soundtrack option that allows you to listen to your collected music. A true soundtrack would have been great and import worthy.

The sounds of the game are what they should be with monkeys giving off yelps when you try to nab them, except for Specter of course. The game is also filled with some cartoon-like silly sounds when you use some your gadgets. And if you are familiar with Pokemon, or other assorted animated shows, you will definitely recognize the voice-actors.

Ape Escape 2 is a wonderfully, if similarly, made sequel to one of my all time favorite platformers. Filled with humor and bizarre moments, it's a fun game that should not be missed. Whether you played the first, or not, this is an definite purchase. C'mon, at the current price, what's not to try? The only thing that will be flung at you here is the fun.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/25/03, Updated 06/04/07