Pac-Man World 2 Preview
Pac-Man returns in his first PlayStation 2 adventure.
Pac-Man's career as a gaming icon has seen its fair share of highs and lows. In the wake of the classic arcade game that placed him firmly into the gaming consciousness, attempts to reinvent the original yellow gaming icon for a new generation of gamers met with little success. That ended in 1999 when Pac-Man World, an oft-delayed and much-retooled game, was released for the PSOne to celebrate Pac-Man's 20th anniversary. A 3D platformer that kept things simple, PMW managed to offer a 3D experience that retained the appeal of Pac-Man's 2D games with simple, accessible gameplay that kept players coming back for more. For Pac-Man World 2, the PlayStation 2 sequel, developer Namco has taken an "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach, staying faithful to the original game's strengths. Offering a few tweaks and additions to gameplay with an expected graphical upgrade, Pac-Man World 2 is shaping up to offer a slick gaming experience that should please platforming fans.
For Pac-Man's first PlayStation 2 adventure, the game's story, conveyed in well-done CG sequences, offers a broader scope than that of its predecessor. This time around, the mighty yellow one finds himself racing to save all of Pac-Land from destruction at the hands of an ancient foe. A demon called Spooky, who was defeated ages ago by Pac's ancestor, Sir Pac-a-Lot, and imprisoned under a golden fruit-bearing tree in the center of Pac-Village, is freed by the Ghost Gang's pranks. Eager for some revenge and to catch up on his evil routine, Spooky is set to gain his revenge on all of Pac-Land. The only way Pac-Man can stop him is to explore six worlds and retake the fruit from the members of the Ghost Gang. Once he's armed with the golden fruit, Pac-Man will have to track down Spooky and find a way to lock him down under the tree again. Granted, you might find yourself wondering how trapping something that evil in the center of town is a good thing, but that's the plan he's working by.
If you've played the original Pac-Man World for the PSOne, you should be pretty familiar with what to expect from PMW2's core gameplay. The action is a mix of straight 3D platforming on open levels and Crash Bandicoot-style areas that find you exploring set paths through a level. Control is simple and effective: As in the original game, you'll be able to jump, hang onto ledges, butt-bounce, and rev yourself to speed to the top of steep hills. You won't be able to attack your enemies with Pac-dots as before, but it's a negligible loss. You won't be lamenting your inability to pitch dots long, as Pac-Man will still be able to perform a wider variety of moves. In addition to the above-mentioned skills, Pac-Man will be able to pilot an underwater submarine, ice-skate, and rollerblade. You'll still find color-coded buttons to butt-stomp in levels that will trigger doors or special Pac-dot trails. You'll need to become well acquainted with all of Pac's abilities if you hope to progress through the game.
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- GameSpot Score8.0great
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Pac-Man World 2 Movie 6
Check out some footage of Pac-Man World 2 for the PlayStation 2.
- Feb 26, 2002
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