Rick Dangerous 2 was the much anticipated sequel to this brilliant platformer series. It continued the trend of bizarre locations, humorous looking enemies and devillishly difficult levels. In much the same way as the first game it plagued the player with screen by screen 'checkpoint' style levels where one could do the best you've ever done before, falling foul to a simple trap leaving you standing back at the beginning of the screen with the daunting task facing you again... and again.
.. and again. Yet we all came back for more; in this game our intrepid hero travelled to outer space leaving the dark caves of the Mayan world for a more sci-fi ray-gun wielding adventure that had us screaming in frustration, hurling abuse at that stupid electrical field trap or merely sighing in resignation as we selected 'retry' for the 1000th time that day.
Despite lacking in graphics, due to the year of release, it is still a very cute looking and fun to play game. The art work is cartoony with that squat, fat look to everything that so symbolised platforming puzzlers of its day. While the puzzles could be quite easy to solve the very difficulty of carrying out each individual movement necessary
for getting through each screen made for a highly challenging game loved by all, hated by most, still played by the haters. Yes, it truly is that addictive.
In conclusion I can only re-emphasise the sheer enormity of the challenge facing anyone who believes they can complete this game:
a) in one sitting.
b) without losing a life.
c) while maintaining their sanity.
d) without feeling the greatest sense of acheivement since we launched a monkey into space.
and...
e) without swearing almost constantly at a pixelated adventurer on an inaminate object... being controlled by you... yet still blaming him for all short comings!
If you have ever played a platformer and enjoyed yourself but have never played Rick Dangerous or Rick Dangerous 2 then you have most certainly missed out on a treat; this game was, is and always will be an epic portrayal of all things annoying. I still love it and after writing this review i have the overwhelming urge to play it again, after all I have my medication for stress related disorders ;)
Download this game now... or you'll never know true frustration! PLUS, you will be missing out on one of the most loved classics of an era.
