I can still call this game original because, unlike most successful games, nobody has tried to copy the style. The first Pandemonium was original too, and this sequel plays a lot like the first game. Let's cut to the chase: the best part about Pandemonium 2 is that it's original. I do hesitate to call it a platform game-it has all of the characteristics of a traditional platformer, but there is nothing traditional about this game. You have your traditional coin gathering, jumping on the bad guys' heads to kill them, moving from platform to platform, and facing off with bosses at the end of stages. The best way to describe this game is by calling it a platform game. Check out these before and after shots to see what we mean. Pandemoniuml's trio of main characters have undergone a pretty severe facelift (particularly Nikki, who looks like an entirely different person in all ways but one. Pandemonium 2 should be on store shelves in the middle of October (the version previewed was about 75 percent complete), so be sure to check back next month for the Review Crew's opinions of the final game. ![]() The camera work is more aggressive too, and there are more areas that require lightning-fast reflexes to get by. Techniques like this are commonplace in P2, and they require you to use your head as well as your thumbs (the tell-tale sign of a good platformer). For example, you might have to pull a switch in one room to open up a path in another. There's a certain puzzle element found in many stages as well. This adds a lot to the gameplay and makes for more interesting stage layouts than those found in the first game. They can climb ropes, travel handover-hand underneath certain areas and most importantly, they can pull themselves up ledges (Lara Croft-style). Both characters share some new abilities: Nikki on the other hand is more or less the same as she was (with her ever-useful double jump), but her experience with magic has improved quite a bit. His jump has been improved a bit as well. but now he can throw Sid (his head-on-a-staff sidekick) and direct him toward coins and treasures that may have been otherwise unreachable. Fargus can use his tumble attack from the original Pandemoniuml. Before each stage you choose to ploy as either Nikki or Fargus: each has unique abilities that can help (or hinder) your progress, depending on which stage you're on. Like the original, gameplay is essentially 2-D side-scrolling fare with a freestyle 3-D camera that creates the illusion of a 3-D world (without sacrificing control). There are a total of 19 stages in Pandemonium 2. Nikki and Fergus, have undergone changes as well-Fargus simply looks a bit older (and more psychotic), while Nikki's been given a complete makeover-in every area imaginable (make of that what you will). Gone are the shiny, happy graphics of the original, replaced with darker, more trippy psychedelic visuals. Pandemonium 2 takes place in the same world as the first game, but it's not entirely obvious at first glance. While the gameplay is more or less true to the original, the overall look and feel of the game has changed quite a bit. buy for PS owners.Ĭrystnl Dynamics is currently putting the finishing touches on the sequel to last year's hit "2 1/2-D" action-platformer for the PlayStation. One minute you're pushing "right," but then the camera angle changes and "right" Is now "up." Nothing a few plays can't remedy, but it's still annoying. The control was tricky sometimes when the camera changed, but almost all games that are in a pseudo 3 D world like Pandemonium 2 Is, have this problem. That's how I felt about Pandemonium 2-the graphics were just a bonus. ![]() When a platform game is done well, regardless of any fancy graphics, it's a joy to play. But on top of all the cool 3-D graphics effects in the game, it is a lot of fun to play. ![]() I will say that the sprite graphics in Pandemonium 2 aren't really that impressive. The graphics are stepped up from the old one, complete with neat-o lighting effects and more crazy panning camera angles, lust like the first one, the views had me wowing again and again. It may be more of the same thing more or less, but it's still good. Pandemonium 2 (called Pandy 2 by some) Is pretty damn cool. but I don't like the changes at all.I mean why is the main female character so "hot" all of a sudden? Anyway, let's get on to the good stuff-namely, the game. Why in the hell did Crystal Dynamics change the characters so much? I mean sure, some time has passed so maybe they grew up.
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