The second installment of the series featuring everyone's favorite hero is the best in the series and a joy to play.
Gameplay is very fun on all levels, even the ones that tick you off because you lose a lot of lives. Sure, you can just speed through the clear-cut path on each level to advance further in the game, but what's the fun in that? The real fun comes when you thoroughly explore the level and collect 100%. My favorite part about the game was going through the level and searching for all the fruit and pac-dots, and if I missed one? I intentionall kill myself. That's right, I kill myself so I can get 100%, is that nuts or what?
If you want a real challenge, do the time trials, they're sure to raise your blood pressure. At first, they are very easy and a breeze to go through the level. But as you progress and the level's difficulty increases, they're a real pain. See, you have to complete the level under the alotted time in order to receive a bonus token - and you can't die. That makes these time trials very difficult.
The unlockable features are great. There are 8 tokens on every level, as well as bonus tokens that are awarded when you acheive 100% on a level and complete the time trial. The more tokens you unlock, the more goodies you get. You start off with the galaxians you find on the regular levels, but you can unlock Pac-Man, Pac-Attack, Jukebox, Pac-Mania, the Museum and Ms. Pac-Man. There are 192 tokens overall, and 180 unlock Ms. pac-Man, so good luck!
Graphics: 9
Even though the graphics on the PC version are much better, the PS2 graphics are great for the system. They are very cartoony, yet realistic at the same time, and give you a very nostalgic feeling. The overtones are very dark ot appropriate times, and very light at appropriate times. Weather effects are also well done. Although there are slight bugs in certain animations, everything is well coordinated.
Sound: 7
The best soundtrack out of any game that doesn't have licensed music. The music for each level is very appropriate, and helps set the theme for that level. For example, the music for Pac-Dot Pond is very light and hearty, and that's the feeling you get when you play that level. On other levels, such as Haunted Boardwalk, the music is very spooky and tense, and that's how you feel when you're playing the game. And when you unlock the jukebox - which takes 60 tokens - you can listen to them all, even if you haven't been to that level!
While the music is very appropriate, sound effects are annoying. Of course, there's the classic whirring noise made when Pac-Man dies, but on tough levels, you hear that noise an awful lot! Other noises are also annoying. Such as when a rev roll ram "winds up" and rolls. But there is a good thing about that; it warns you when he's coming.
Value: 10
This game is an extreme value. Currently, you can buy it as part of the Pac-Man Power Pack. For $20, you get Pac-Man World 2 & 3, as well as Pac-Man World Rally. I highly recommend it, as all three games are enjoyable to play. But of course, Pac-Man World 2 is the best of the bunch.
Overall: 9
I have two copies of this game. The second I bought as part of the Power Pack, the first was handed down from one of my cousins. This game first came out in 2002, so the only way you can get it is if you know someone who has it, you buy it online, or as part of the Power Pack. I highly suggest you get your hands on this game. Somehow.
As I said earlier, everything about this game is great: gameplay, sound, graphics, everything. I will warn you about a glitch on Avalanche Alley. If you die on the final checkpoint, even if you've collected everything, you will only have collected 296/297 pac-dots. To avoid this glitch, complete the last segment of the level without dying. Just a heads up, if you do consider getting this title.