It’s usually a dubious pleasure getting to review a game that’s been made in the honour of a film. I say this because the vast majority tend to be either absolutely disappointing or mediocre at best. However I’m relieved and rather happy to reveal to you that Madagascar Escape 2 Africa is actually quite a good game.
Alright this game isn’t going to be really making any huge waves, but I do hope that it’s raised the bar enough to tell game producers not to simply cobble together a pretty tame bunch of graphics and simple puzzles or action to flog to death under a licensed brand. Ok, enough of my soap-boxing, on with the review…
Madagascar Escape 2 Africa involves all the familiar characters in this rather amusing platform game. You start off as the lion who must try and collect all the meat steaks which are dotted around the levels. This is relatively an easy task to do, but does pose you some risk of failure by attempting to collect them if you get your timing wrong. For example, you will need to get onto a raft and jump at some awkwardly high steaks (brings a new meaning to the steaks being too high?!) if you get the jumping at the right time you’ll be able to safely collect them all, but if you get it wrong, you’ll end up taking the plunge (and we all know how much cats hate water).
Fortunately there’s no restriction on the number of attempts you’re allowed to take at completing the level. I feel this is something that the game makers included for the younger and more easy to upset audience, but for us more mature gamers, it’s still quite nice to know you can keep playing regardless of how many attempts it may take to get there (besides, no-one will know unless you tell!)
Taken straight from the text-book to good gaming, otherwise known as Crash Bandicoot: Mutant Island
Of course you get marked down for the number of attempts it takes you to complete the level, but again you get points deducted for losing a life or being hit and losing some health. However, you’ll gain points for collecting all the items and for solving some of the not too difficult puzzles.
Controls are quite good and intuitive. For example, up makes you jump, left and right move you that way, pressing 5 or OK will cause your character to punch quickly, but holding it and then releasing will build up your power and then let it loose when desired. This means that knocking down barricades is easier to do and timing your hits is also a lot simpler.
The opponents are an interesting element to the game. For example throughout the main part of the game they stand still and need to be hit four times before they go down. However, if you jump and land on them they’ll be eliminated instantly. This is all well and good, but when you get to the end of level boss, you’ll find it’s a different story entirely. By making the boss so difficult, you extend the life of the game but at the cost of some enjoyment due to frustration and repetition.
In the end then, this is a good game that does suffer some teething problems, but for a game that rides on the coat-tails of a big branded franchise, it’s a pretty decent attempt. If you enjoy platform games and like the animated series, you’ll certainly find yourself hooked in minutes and playing for hours.
Rating 83%
Positives
An enjoyable and entertaining game for all ages
Difficult end of level bosses make it a little more challenging
Helpful guides as to what to do at times and story development as you play
Negatives
A little too easy throughout all the levels but really difficult at the end of level bosses
Controls are pretty good but could be better
Unlimited attempts to complete a level make it a little unrewarding when you do manage to succeed
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