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Gotta Catch 'Em All!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: October 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Let me start off by saying this: I dont own Ape Escape 1. I have never played it. I havent even seen it in a store to tell you the truth. So, I can honestly review this game as if it were something brand-spankin-new. Nope, not even the least bit hyped or full of expectations. Just a plain and simple, straightforward review of the game itself. Ready? Here we go!

The first thing that I noticed about this game is the way the controls are handled. They are great! The developer has managed to utilize all the features of the dual shock to the fullest extent. At first it may seem a bit oberwhelming to run in one direction and swing your net in another, or use one analog stick to move and the other to control your little RC car. I am happy to report that this feeling soon wears off and you will find yourself pleased with the fluidity at which the game can be handled.

Ape Escape 2 is your standard platformer. Run, Jump, Catch monkeys, Beat Bosses. Thats the gist. Not really too complicated or anything like that. NO questions about the fate of mankind, nothing deep and philisophical like the ponderings of the human soul. Just a bunch of rowdy monkeys that need to be taught a lesson. Along the way, pick up some coins so that you can buy things like songs, concept artworks, pictures and even monkey fables. All in all, its an entertaining concept.

The graphics seem as if they could use a bit of polish, particularly the monkeys- those darn primates seem to be rendered with as much un-imagination as possible.(And I wont even go on about the big yellow freaky one!) Otherwise, the worlds are colorful and bright. The control, as mentioned earlier, is fluid and awesomely quick and responsive. Jimmy can run, jump, roll, climb, swim, dive, fly and hang on ledges. You have a variety of weapons available to help you get all the primates into captivity. Helicopter, Radar, RC car, and a Bananna-rang just to name a few.

I though this game was fun, if a little to easy and basic in terms of storyline and challenge. It is something that a family with small children and a PS2 should buy, as there isnt any over-the top violence, gore, language or mature themes. Ape Escape 2 provides a whimsical diversion from the "heavier" games that we are starting to see, ie Metal Gear Solid series and the Grand Theft Auto franchise. This game is fun (and thats what games are all about)silly and whimsical. I would suggest it to anyone with small children and to those who sometimes want to take a break and play someting fresh and new.

Very creative - great fun for kids!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: July 02, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The reviews here really surprise me a lot. It's hard to believe that such a fun (and funny) game could get so many gripes. However I notice that most of those come from people comparing it to the original which preceded this title by 5 years. I think UBI Soft intentionally abandoned those players and aimed this game squarely at today's young children (5-12) rather than the teens that the original's players are by now.

Given the target audience, I think the difficulty level is appropriate and even challenging at times. This comes from the fact that the controls are very different from ordinary games, though they are perfect for this one. The buttons are used merely to switch between your many devices rapidly while all game controls actually are executed with the 2 joysticks. It works quite well once you get used to it. It also requires a bit of puzzle-solving and critical thinking for young children to determine which device is best for a specific job.

The main point is that the game is just plain fun to play. The action is fact-paced but not stress-inducing. The presentation is refreshing. The graphics are good but nothing stellar. A key is that the big bosses are very funny and novel. Who but the Japanese could present as a major enemy a petite, karaoke-singing monkey girl who grows enraged after you disrupt her chance at stardom? Others are equally zany.

Honestly my kids (5&9) love this game and revisit it often. My son often plays the Monkey Soccer mini-game even when he doesn't want to play the normal game; and it's knid of cool that the only monkeys that you can add to your roster are monkeys that you have already captured in the real game. My daughter loves the Dance Monkey Dance mini-game. Rare to find a game that girls and boys enjoy equally like this one. Highly recommended for kids... not good for teens or more edgy audiences.

Isn't the review section for people who've played the game?

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: July 12, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game definitely lives up to the first game. I stumbled across the first ape escape and played it obsessively for hours. The graphic are very good in this version. The weapons are similiar to the previous game (there may be one or two new ones--I can't remember). The new gadgets are added slowly throughout the game and you get to practice them in a training center if you choose. You are tracking down monkeys (you only have to find a certain number at each level) and have various tools radar, etc. The descriptions of the various monkeys are funny and what they do can be pretty hillarious (you can watch them through your radar). The bosses are fairly easy (if I can do them without walkthrough help--they are pretty easy).

I have one major complaint about this game. The camera STUCKS. It is never in the right place. It doesn't follow you properly. Given that the two analog sticks are used to move the character and use your weapon and R1 is used to jump, the camera controls are put to the arrow keys. It was pretty frustrating. After awhile, however, I just learned to move it myself. But trust me it peeved me to no end--to stop and move the camera so I could see where I was going. I believe the first game had a similiar problem.

IF you loved the 1st ape escape (and many people did) I think you will like this one too. I have to say I loved it, its a fun game, even the camera problems weren't enough to stop me from enjoying this game and playing it obsessively. You may find yourself going back after you are done to find the monkeys you didn't find the first time around.

I don't think it is just a kids game either.

Great game but i have a few gripes

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: July 14, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Ape Escape 1 was one of my favorite games. It was fresh and original and far more innovative than any other platformer then and now. But after having played a good deal of Ape Escape 2, I've noticed a few things.

The first, obviously being the main character switcheroo to "Jimmy". Call me crazy, but i miss Spike and his deep-voiced "hi-yahs". This new Jimmy guy, in the cinematics, sounds like Ash Ketchum from the Pokemon TV series... and I'm just not feeling it.

Speaking of 'feeling'.. AE2 just doesn't have the same feel to it that AE1 gave me.. even the professor's voice is different.. the sky flyer was perfect as is so i don't know why changed it into a metal thing attached to your wrist.. monkeys with the poorest of vision can still see you crawling up to them (yes, i play dead quite often now).

The soundtracks to each stage are lighthearted and fun to listen to but are definitely not as catchy as AE1 themes (the soundtrack to Castle Frightmare is absolutely annoying).
Don't get me wrong =) this game is built solid and is still as fun to play as the original. The new gadgets are a blast to use, the levels are more expansive, the monkeys are smarter (which is good and bad depending upon how you look at it), and the Gotcha Box gives out an assortment of prizes from monkey fables to game hints and mini-games.

All in all, the game is great and I highly recommend it to anyone who loved AE1. Ape Escape 1 is still the better game in my heart. ...

Best game sequel since Crash Bandicoot!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 12
Date: May 27, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This will be an excellent game. First off the graphics are improved and much better (even though the first games graphics were the best to). Second all the gadgets are updated and are better looking, for instance the monkey radar now shows how full their stomach is because the monkeys will throw poop now. And third, ALL THE MONKEYS LOOK EVEN COOLER!! So please don't live a boring life, GO OUT AND GET THIS GAME!...

One of the most memorable games in PS is back!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 13
Date: June 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Wow! There are just not enough words to describe how cool and fun this game was back in the PS. Most mature gamers will probably come to this game and say things like "This is too childish for me" or "Too many monkeys in one game". About the first one they are wrong, this game may look childish but it is one of the funnest games out there that I have ever played. About the second im guessing is very true but who wouldnt want to see a bunch of monkeys running around with weapons and stuff trying their best not to get caught by you. I am indeed looking forward to buying this game ... I have much faith that its gonna be a big hit for everyone and not just with the little kids. Common all you gamers, you cant let your age limit ur games! Its all about just having fun with the games! PS2 rules over all other systems! That's all i had to say....

Great gameplay, Annoying Camera work

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: October 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is a fun game. Its main strength is the sheer amount of inventiveness and imagination that went into its creation. Now, I'm not the average gamer perhaps. I am an adult, and I like games such as Creatures or The Sims. In other words, non violent, pleasant games.

Ape Escape is not exactly NON violent, in the sense Tom & Jerry cartoons aren't. Some monkeys you'll chase heave 'bombs' at you but it's cartoon style. Most of the monkeys just run around screeching though. You can tell what method they'll try and escape with, by the color of their clothes. Each color means something different: Punches, Banana Peels, Runs Fast etc.

I'll try & cover things not covered in these other reviews. I believe it's okay for kids although really young kids may find it a bit difficult at the end (then again they may be tons better at joystick than I am !). I found the Sky Flyer gadget (a propeller you have to hand-crank using the joystick) difficult at times. If you dont' crank the joystick around fast enough for long enough you suddenly drop out of the sky, and that could cost you time or even a 'life' in the game. That and the camera work were the hardest parts in my opinion.

Finding the monkeys is mostly easy: You can use "monkey radar" gadget and it will show you where each is hiding. You have to be close already to see that, though. The radar also tells you what type of weapons they have if any, and how alert they are, etc. Some monkeys are easy to sneak up on. Overall the game balances easy and hard parts very well. Its biggest strength is the sense of humor. The monkeys do a lot of amusing things. In one scene they were dancing around in the forest like a Highland Fling or something. In the mini games they tease you by thumbing their 'noses' at you.

The second strength is the imaginative design. Each level is called something funny (Like "The Blue Baboon" instead of "The Blue Lagoon") and even their names mean funny things. Each level is entirely different: A beach, a factory, a city in the sky, a dinosaur park with Brontosauri eating leaves; even a "moon unit" or UFO. You travel around each level trying to find the monkeys hiding in, or guarding each part. I would give this game five stars except for the camera work: Just when you are fighting or jumping, the camera turns around at times and you can't see where you are going or what you're fighting ! For instance, a closeup of 'your' head, or the view BEHIND you, of the wall !! That is hardly helpful. The camera takes too long to turn on its own, and by that time, a monkey or "Porky" (piglet) can defeat you. Or you can't see where you're flying or jumping to and hit something and fall.

But eventually you will prevail, and then it's on to see what the next level brings. This game will truly keep you entertained for about 25 hours of gameplay. Right now I am starting the final level and have all three mini games. Those are all fun, although I find the Monkey Soccer a bit difficult. The other two games are again ones to make you giggle. In one, you dance like the other monkey dances; in the other, you swing from vine to vine trying to get bananas. And as in the larger game itself, the graphics and writing are funny. A sense of humor isn't seen often enough in games in my opinion and it's very nice to see here. I advise net searching for walkthroughs though. Especially when fighting Bosses, you may need them !

Be warned the last two levels do not let you save until you defeat the Boss at the end of each level. And each of those two last levels are very long and difficult ! Just allot a few hours for that. And rack up several 'lives' first ! The levels do tend to get harder throughout the game, but, stick to it and you will do fine. They drop in an easier one just often enough to keep you from giving up, hee.

Now if they'd just fix that game camera, so you can actually tell what you are doing sometimes !

Decent but the original is still the best

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: July 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Ape Escape 2 is a game where you run around and catch monkeys...that's right son catch monkeys. As weird as that sounds, the game is pretty fun to play and has a unique control scheme.

For those who played the PlayStation original, you will be a little disappointed in this sequel. It's just not as fun as the original. The controls have changed slightly and the camera has gotten worse. This is still a very enjoyable game and is at least worth a rental. Ape Escape 3 is coming out and hopefully it will play closer to the original.

It's Just Not The Same

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: August 08, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I was a major fan of the first Ape Escape released for Playstation...it is still one of my favorite games. However, when I rented Ape Escape 2 and played it, I was dissapointed!! Although the graphics are better, and the levels are er, slightly bigger?, the game is WAY too easy. It's not very fun to play. The monkeys just kinda run around in circles until you catch them... and they're VERY easy to find. The levels LOOK nice, but they're nothing better than the original ones. Also, the main character us annoying. His voice HAS to be the voice of Ash from Pokemon...it's horrible. The gadgets remain the same, but I swear the whirly-thingy dosn't go as high...I guess this game would be better for younger kids (10-13) and not older ones(14 and older). It's hard to make a sequel live up to the original game, I know, but still... If you liked the first one, you may or may not like this one.

Much bettter than the first!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: October 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Ape Escape 2 is a highly entertaining, fun game. The music is great, my favorite songs are from the Simian Citadel level and Lookout Valley. The other levels have great music too. It also has some new gadgets like the Bananarang, the Water Cannon, and the Magnet. New vehicles include the summerine, Snowmobile, and the Pipo Mech. In this game there are 300 monkeys out there to catch and over 20 vast levels. The storyline isn't to in-depth but it's creative. My favorite new feature it the Gotcha Box, where you can trade in your gold coins for some fun secrets that can be viewed at the entertainment center. These various extras include: Monkepedia, Enemy Photo Album, Secret Photo Album, Movies, Soundtracks, Monkey Fables, Art Collections, Bonus RC cars, and Mini-Games.

There were some problems in this game though. One was that they brought back the Boat. The boat is probably the most hard-to-control gadget in the game. I've tried and I've tried but I still can't seem to get the hang of it. Maybe you'll have better luck than me. The Tank is another ridiculous gadget. Another down side to this game is the 5th monkey in the Freaky Monkey Five. He is nearly impossible to beat. It is impossible to dodge his spinning attacks and his flaming attacks. I am still stuck on him.

Well anyway, I'd recommend this game for you if you enjoyed the first Ape Escape, it's even better than that one.

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