Ape Escape 2

🎮 PlayStation 2 ⏳ 15 hours ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

A Charming Sequel #

This direct sequel is a colorful and entertaining 3D platformer that captures much of the charm and creativity of the original entry. The MC is called Jimmy, at least in the US version, which is another monkey hunter who must track down a group of escaped monkeys that have been causing chaos. Don’t be fooled because this is not the same protagonist as the first title, which was called Spike, although they look very similar. For some reason they decided to switch things up this time around. While the story is simple and mostly serves as an excuse to send you through a variety of locations, its humorous tone give the game plenty of personality. So in terms of presentation and setting, there is literally no difference when compared to the previous title, no big surprises at all.

Monkey-Catching Gameplay #

The main attraction of this sequel its the gameplay, each level is filled with monkeys that behave differently, making the process of catching them more interesting. You can even learn more about your targets such as they names, hobbies and attributes such as speed, strength and other unique characteristics. As much as this new mechanic is interesting, I did not engaged with it properly, but I think it was a nice attempt at making it a bit more complex. Some monkeys run away, others fight back, and some hide or require a more careful approach. Similar to the first game, you have a collection of gadgets that can be used to catch the monkeys and overcome obstacles. There are also some unique vehicles such as a tank and a submarine, which is a nice addition when compared to the first title.

Exploration and Level Design #

The level design is another strong point, the game takes you through a range of colorful environments, from jungles and beaches to more unusual and humorous locations. It is not unique enough to be a standout, but it is very nice to see more detailed and more technically advanced scenarios when you think about the simpler ones from the original title. The stages are generally open enough to encourage exploration, with hidden areas, collectibles, and monkeys placed in different parts of the environment. There is even an additional gadget you can unlock by the end of the game, which opens up a new mechanic. This gives the player a reason to revisit areas and search more carefully instead of simply rushing toward the goal.

Aged Visuals and Voices #

The second Ape Escape title also has a distinctive visual style, its bright colors, cartoon-like characters, and exaggerated animations fit the game’s atmosphere extremely well. Although the graphics are obviously dated by modern standards, they have aged reasonably well because the art direction does not try to be realistic. The monkeys in particular have a lot of personality, and their different appearances and animations help make them memorable. The same cannot be said by the voice-acting though, which is very limited, even for standards of other similar titles as these “for kids” games, and general collect-a-tons. But since there are very few cutscenes, this is hardly a problem, most of them happen when you meet a new boss, for example, which there aren’t a lot of them.

Playful Music and Humor #

The OST and sound effects complement the game’s playful atmosphere, the music is energetic and often humorous, while the various monkey noises and exaggerated effects add to the cartoon-like presentation. This is for sure something very iconic for fans of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, which has some Easter Eggs related to Ape Escape. And particularly I find this funny because I learned about Ape Escape after I’ve experienced a lot of the MGS. The game never takes itself particularly seriously, and this consistency between the visuals, music, characters, and gameplay is one of its biggest strengths. If you liked the humor from the first game, then this one will definitely also please you, but if you don’t, this sequel won’t change your mind on this regard.

Dated Gameplay Issues #

The main weaknesses come from its age, the camera can sometimes be awkward, especially in tighter areas, and certain movements or platforming sections can feel less precise than modern players might expect. This is especially bad because, at this point in time, camera mechanics were already a solved problem in the gaming industry. For some reason they decided to stick with the right analog stick as the one responsible for using the gadgets, instead of controlling the camera. The overall difficulty is also relatively forgiving, meaning that experienced platformer players may find the game fairly easy. However, this won’t prevent it from being enjoyable, and the relaxed difficulty actually makes it accessible, or also for those who need a break from hardcore titles.

A Memorable Platformer #

Overall, this direct sequel is a fun, iconic and charming platformer that succeeds because of its creativity rather than its complexity. Catching monkeys, using unusual gadgets, exploring colorful environments, and discovering the game’s many jokes create an experience that feels distinct from more conventional platformers. It may not be the most technically impressive game on the system, but its personality and entertaining gameplay make it a memorable example of the quirky platformers of the early 2000s. For fans of classic 3D platformers, Ape Escape 2 remains a worthwhile and enjoyable title. I would also advise trying to catch all the monkeys from all levels, in order to unlock some extra hidden content. And again, not a unique mechanic when compared to other similar titles, but nevertheless this is an important note.