more monke

It's more ape escape, which considering how much I liked the first game really isn't a problem whatsoever. The core gameplay of using the dualshock sticks to catch various monkeys is primarily the same, as well as the tools and gadgets also mostly being the same, it's all-around a pretty safe sequel.

The game still has its signature level of wacky style to everything, I particularly like the new boss troupe - the Freaky Monkey Five, as both a goofy exaggerated sentai parody and as a set of boss fights. There's also a gacha machine that gives out collectibles ranging from goofy dev screenshots to bizarrely morbid fairytale parodies. There's even full 16:9 widescreen support, which is crazy for an '02 PS2 game. My only gripes with the game is that some of the later levels can be a bit too long and linear for the type of collectathon this series tries to be as well as the fact you basically HAVE to replay every level if you want the true ending as the post game adds bonus monkeys to every level like its mfin green stars from mario galaxy 2.

From the way everything is designed and presented, it really felt to me like the devs were having a lot of fun making the game. Like the first Ape Escape, the game wears its Japanese origins with pride to make a good time. (sidenote: kinda strange how the ape escape series is like the only largely talked about jpn-developed 3D platformer for the playstation brand, you'd think there'd be more from the PS1 and PS2 era). The game doesn't really reinvent the banana, but it didn't really have to in the first place.

Also the USA localization of the game is deadass dubbed by the same voice directors and cast as the 90's Pokemon anime, guess ash and misty can add monkeys to the things they have to catch all of

A great sequel to the original Ape Escape that expands slightly on the first game! I'm surprised to see that not many people on here like it, but of course that's all subjective.

The story this time around has Spector escaping yet again with his peak point helmet, but he's got some heavy backup. This game introduces the Freaky Monkey Five, who are essentially Spectors top soldiers and act as the bosses for this game. Spector plans to conquer the world, this time without the use of a time machine. Jimmy, Spikes cousin, steps up to save the day as the main protagonist here.

Gameplay is...pretty much the same as the first game. There are some new gadgets and monkey types introduced here, but nothing all that major. It's still the same monkey catching action you'd expect from Ape Escape. There are actually cool and somewhat challenging bosses this time around! That's something.

The music isn't done by the Soichi Terada this time around, but the soundtrack here still holds up! The penultimate level and final level themes are especially good.

Overall, a great sequel but it doesn't introduce a whole lot to the Ape Escape formula. If it just had a bit more meat it'd be a perfect sequel.

Ape Escape 2 is more or less the same as the first game, although I don't feel like any of it is better. The level design feels less charming and more bland, the gadgets aren't as good and the controls and momentum feel very stiff to the first game. For those reasons, I really felt like this game dragged. The only thing I feel like is absolutely better in this game are the bosses, I think the bosses in this game are great and the monkey team is fun. This game on its own is fine and it's still fun but compared to the first game I don't think it's nearly as good or charming.

There's a bunch of super-intelligent apes, and they've escaped! (Again!) One of the classics of 3D platforming from the early aughts, Ape Escape 2 sees the young boy Hikaru tasked with tracking down and capturing a bunch of runaway simians from a bevy of colourful themed platformer worlds. You get a large variety of gadgets with which to acheive this goal, most of which come down to a variation of "hit ape to stun". Unfortunately the game has a few hang-ups, mainly the utterly dreadful voice acting and the wonky controls that make actually playing the game an occasional chore.

An incredibly rough entry, which is horribly disappointing because it's so damn close to being as good as 1 and 3. The hyper-linear stage design really brings this one down. I adore Ape Escape and it's hard to make every monkey encounter unique, but almost every stage and monkey feels the same in this one. Worse, switching in the gadget system is slowww, which is also was in 1, but even more and more gimmicky gadgets in this one really kills it, as you'll be switching them around even more. Plus the Gotcha machine is impossibly slow, which truly brings down the joy of completionism significantly. I'll still probably 100% it, but begrudgingly.

Also, nightmare of a last stage btw.

It's a solid PS2 platformer, occasionally contrived, gets kind of tedious in the later levels and on lap 2, but has it's moments. The hub area and Gatcha machine are really cute, possibly the best way of implementing bonus content I've ever seen. There are no two levels with identical theming, but 4 (kind of a stretch) of the 20 worlds are conceptually original. Characters are cute, bosses are memorable.There are moments, such as the Macaque hot spring, the Enter the Dragon tribute and a lot of the unique variant monkeys, but it's like I've played before in other B-Grade platformers. The descriptor that got stuck in my head while playing was "Mario Galaxy 0.5".The last couple levels are absurdly long and difficult for how otherwise easy the game was and kind of bogged down the experience, as I got a game over at the very end of the final level and had to replay all 30 minutes of it (when most of the other levels never gave me more than a death). Didn't bother with the post-game. It's fun and cute, but not something special enough I want to come back to. Will probably play 3 at some point, though.

Ape Escape 2, the sequel to the beloved Ape Escape series, unleashes a frenzy of primate pandemonium once again. Or does it? Amidst the chaos, confusion, and conspiracies, one can't help but wonder: is this a brilliant mod or a new installment? Let's dive into the wild world of Ape Escape 2 and decipher the monkey madness.

The game thrusts you into an adventure where you must recapture those mischievous apes, who, against all logic, seem to be perpetually escaping. Yet, a shadow of doubt looms: could this be an elaborate ruse or a misguided attempt at a sequel? The skepticism seems to stem from the sheer disbelief that the apes could escape yet again, raising suspicions of a grand scheme at play.

The narrative intricacies aside, Ape Escape 2 retains the quirky charm that fans adore. Navigating through inventive levels and employing an array of gadgets to round up the simian escapees delivers a nostalgic experience. The game manages to capture the essence of its predecessor while introducing new elements that keep the formula fresh.

While the confusion surrounding the game's identity adds an air of mystery, it doesn't deter from the gameplay itself. The controls are responsive, the environments are colorful and engaging, and the sheer joy of corralling the apes back into captivity is as satisfying as ever. The game offers a blend of platforming, puzzle-solving, and light-hearted humor that keeps players engaged from start to finish.

The iconic monkey-catching gameplay remains the heart of Ape Escape 2, making it a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike. Whether this is a genuine sequel or a clever imitation, the game's fun factor can't be denied.

So, as the apes continue their seemingly endless quest for freedom, and doubts persist about the legitimacy of Ape Escape 2, there's one thing that's certain: the appeal of wrangling these escapade-loving monkeys endures. The chaos, the confusion, and the conspiracies only add to the allure, creating an experience that's as entertaining as it is enigmatic. Whether it's an official sequel or a mod, Ape Escape 2 delivers monkey madness that's worth the ride.

Score: 8/10

I've been sitting on this for about three years now, immediately beelining to it after finishing the first one. I always try and goad myself into properly finishing it before moving onto 3, but at this point, my drive to press on have evaporated, and despite only playing a quarter of the total package and in general being a short romp, I'm fine labeling it one of the biggest disappointments I've ever experienced here and now.

Pang has said much about my grievances, especially in regard to how the first few gadgets you pick up are posited as lock-and-key items instead of meaningful kit extensions, but I'll throw a few of my own quibbles:

- I dunno who at the studio decided the emphasis on boss fights was necessary, but it's one of the biggest signs that Nintendo's Three Strike rule should not be used for everything. Bosses weren't standout in the first game anyway, but it's somehow worse in this one since not only were the tells in the two fights I faced obnoxiously obvious, but there's just. So much goddamn waiting. Even middling Zelda bosses knew when's the best time to give the opening.

- Environments are way too boxy for my liking. First game, even after the tutorial, had you navigating different rooms and elevations to sell you on the locale you're tasked with. Here, that only started to happen about thrice, with every other level I've had being mainly flat terrains with little deviation to explore. Of my points, this is the one I'm willing to yield the most on. Maybe the design does get better, and it's just an unfortunate growing pain.

- Holy shit the controls. In my brief time playing this, I've whiffed more ape captures than in my entire duration of the predecessor. Any sense of weight and momentum is gone, instead replaced with a stupidly stiff movement and an uncomfortable sense of spring of the swings, which leads a little more credence that letting the player mess around and grow comfortable with 'grounded' movement is better in situations such as this one. The only satisfying part is how the double jump system operates; one jump clears horizontals, the next culls it to trade it for verticals. Also, somehow the camera's regressed in between games, but I'll admit it was still like... tolerable.

- Not gonna mention the OST downgrade since I don't take that much stock onto ratings as others do (but I will very much agree regardless), so instead I just want to say none of the game's more cutesy sounding bytes really did much for me. I'm not even sure why, it isn't totally different. Maybe the presentation boost is messing with me? I dunno.

I know some will see this and say "hey, you only played about a quarter of the game, you should really just play more of it before dropping!" or something to that effect. Understandable as this sentiment may be, and as staunch and stubborn as I typically am when it comes to doing something, I genuinely just can't myself to care with this one. Completely flabbergasted how this part of Japan Studio's offices went from making one of the best platformers ever at the twilight of the PS1's years, to an awkward and very "testing the waters" followup right around the time the PS2 was settling onto its footing. Hoping 3's better, and since I know a friend that had the exact feelings I'm facing be rather positive in what they've played of the sequel, maybe it's indeed the case.