Ape Escape 2

"Pokemon comes to the PS2!"

Ape Escape 2 is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Playstation game Ape Escape. While the hero has been changed from Spike to younger Jimmy. The core of the game, gadgets, mini-games, controls, and of course, monkeys, stays intact. This game is published by UbiSoft even though it is developed by Sony Computer Entertainment.

Sound: 10/10
Ape Escape has original easy flowing tunes to which you can enjoy even through the hardest parts of the game. The great thing about the sound is that it matches the environment your in (ie. In a snow winter level, you hear Christmas tunes). Both Adults and Children will enjoy the music.

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics are what most games should have. Lots of shapes and colors. However there are not many details in the environments, compared to the graphics of mega-platformers such as Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, and Sly Cooper, Ape Escape 2 is a step backwards, a small step but nonetheless one. This is probably where hardcore teen gamers will be turned off. Others will not notice the difference.

Gameplay: 7/10
Ape Escape has various different gadgets, however you can only have four on your buttons at any one time, and since it is sometimes necessary to use certain gadgets, you find yourself time and time again pausing the game to rearrange. Also the camera is horrid. Many times it will just not move and you'll find yourself being hardly able to see.(Note: These usually occur when you are taking a jump from a narrow platform.) Sony would have been wise to let us control the camera but the R3 stick is already taken for another use.

Replayability: 10/10
Three minigames, watch the movies again, play as a different character, Monkey Fables, Soundtracks, Gadget Trainer, Comic Strip, etc. Ape Escape 2 has what it takes to keep you playing for hours.

Level of Difficulty: 2/10
Very, very, easy. Long but easy.

Overall: 9/10
Very satisfying and thoroughly entertaining, worth a rent, deserves a buy. Easy but fluid. Long but interesting, did I mention that you have to catch monkeys???

Pokemon Factor: 10/10
If you love Pokemon, you are going to adore Ape Escape 2. To add more the the theory, the voices in the game include Ash(Jimmy) and Misty(Nathalie) from Pokemon. The theme is to catch them all! There is a professor, and even Spike-Gary??? You also carry a creature called Pipotchi, which is a carbon copy of Pikachu! It is pretty obvious that the creators had Pokemon in mind.

All in all, this is a game where you can monkeys. How could it go wrong???

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/30/03, Updated 07/30/03