MDK 2 is a good 3rd person game, let's get that right out front, but it's suffering from a clear case of sequelitis. The developers took a lot of the formula of MDK, the huge set pieces, the fun music, the goofy enemies, but decided that wasn't enough. So instead of simply improving the formula, they added two characters, the professor and his dog, which ultimately don't add anything real to the game. The Dog's missions are extremely scaled down versions of MDK, pure shooting, without the fun puzzles or the sniping. The professor's levels accentuate the puzzles, but blow it on the combat. Why seperate the game elements that worked so well in the original? Why can't I just keep playing as Kurt the janitor and reluctant savior of the world? Because the developers thought they needed to have some extra blurbs on the back of the box when they sold this one out. As I said, it's not a BAD game, it's just not the 3rd person romp that the original MDK was. If you loved MDK and want more, you could definitely do worse, but my recommendation is try Giants instead.
This game contains an interesting story line and a new twist on the typical 3rd person action game. Mixing shooter action with psychic powers makes for good combat, and the set pieces are never boring. What keeps me from giving it a full 5 stars is that it suffers from serious problems with the aiming mechanics and the camera that hampers your ability to solve the puzzles. Often times you'll find its immediately obvious what needs to be done and how to do it, but you'll find yourself in a frustrating mess of attempting to get the game to follow along with its own logic. Those glitches aside, this game was a pretty solid sleeper title that deserved a lot more acclaim than it got.
Earthworm Jim really demonstrates what can be done with the 2d platform genre. The game is loaded with style, bizarre humor and fun. Level design is masterful. Each level varies considerably, and the landscape has a very organic form to it. What is truly great about Earthworm Jim however, is that all of the parts mesh so well. The style never subtracts from the substance of the gameplay. The game puzzles and obsticles rarely feel cheap or forced. The humor is real, without being too ridiculous. The music and effects complement the style and never take away from the overall picture. Those of you who have played the disappointing Earthworm Jim 3d, the only thing I can say is go back and take another look at the original platformers. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Earthworm Jim will always rate some stars just for the comedy value of the games. However, this game is spoiled by glitchy controls and a camera that simply refuses to cooperate. It's sadly indicative of the 3rd person action genre that these issues have continued to plague gamers to this day. My advice, play the original 2d platform games, and leave it at that.
This game can really be summed up as a shooter, nothing more, nothing less. Bizarre levels, interesting bad guys, and fun weapons. While it has a lot going for it, that formula doesn't add up to hours upon hours of gameplay. In fact, it's really a glorified version of Doom, only instead of finding the exit door, you find your fat brother waiting for you at the end of each level. Needless to say, a lot of the levels get repetitive. If you're looking for fresh puzzles, deep thinking, and intense atmosphere look elsewhere. Of course if you think a game called Redneck Rampage is going to be a thinking man's game you need to re-evaluate your grasp of the English language. Still rampage is one of the better mindless shooters out there and a fun time killer.
Fallout 2 takes the concept of the original Fallout and expands it dramatically, with a larger world and a much more free roaming environment. In fact, it's very easy to get lost in the massive expanse of this game. Sticking to the plot however, is worth it, as the plot comes to a truly spectacular climax. Though it shares many of the flaws of its predecessor; combat can be slow at times, thanks to the turn based system, a few minor but annoying bugs, the pluses far outweigh the minuses. Like its predecessor, Fallout 2 is a must play game.
Fallout is simply one of the greatest role playing games ever developed. From the gameplay to the soundtrack to the character interactions, it is superb.
