my save got deleted by my emulator right before I finished the game so a sour note to end on but I'm calling it beat, I finished it as a kid

and it still holds up SUPER well!
the atmosphere, especially early on, is just so terrific. the design of these creatures, as someone who realllly doesn't like bugs, is genuinely effective and horrifying. it's pretty stunning how well tension is constantly built from start to finish with many well placed set pieces and encounters. ammo drops are infrequent so when you start running low it's legitimately hair raising. It's all ruined a slight touch by emulation bumping up the frame rate and having things run a little too fast -- particularly of note when this is as short as it is.

there's not much to actively criticise either. i'm glad this isn't filled with pointless padding. Kong sections, though less fun than Jack's, are still super engaging cinematic setpieces so I really can't complain. And have nothing but love for the actors coming back for voice work -- Jack Black and Adrian Brody really are just nutso good.

doesn't hit the highest of highs but its lows are frankly still above entire games.