Based on the recently released
animated Dreamworks film, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is a 3D platformer title
for the Nintendo DS. Putting you in the shoes of the heroes of the film,
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is geared towards younger and less experienced
gamers. However, the linear nature of the game and extreme ease will ensure that
everyone else will likely grow quite bored after a while.
The story sticks to the plot of the
film somewhat by following the four main protagonists of the film (Alex the
Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe) as they attempt
to return to New York following their exodus to Madagascar in the original film.
However, they end up crash landing in Africa midflight, requiring you to help
them through a series of action sequences and platforming in order to help them
rebuild their plane and continue on to New York.
Structurally, Madagascar: Escape 2
Africa plays out a lot like the original Crash Bandicoot games on the original
PlayStation. The camera is fixed behind your character, as you mostly collect a
variety of items to proceed. You can play as four different characters from the
film at different parts of the game. Each one has their own specific skill, like
double-jumping or hovering to give them a particular upper-hand in their set
sections.
Aside from the standard 3D
platforming elements, there are some minigames that you can play as well. There
are a few different ones spread out sporadically throughout the game, including
a rudimentary pinball game, a memory-style game, and a few others. There is a
special mode that has you playing as the four supporting penguin characters,
utilizing their unique strengths and abilities to progress through a series of
side-scrolling platforming puzzles.
There’s not a lot of exploring to be
done in Escape 2 Africa. The game gives you coins to collect, but seldom hides
them in a way that requires you to search for them in any way. The level designs
are extremely linear, requiring you to simply walk from point A to point B while
gathering bottle caps and occasionally playing through a minigame and fighting
off some bad guys.
Additionally, the combat and enemy
AI is extremely basic. You simply need to swat at them by hitting the X button
repeatedly and they’ll go down without much of a fight.
Graphically, Escape 2 Africa is a
solid looking game. While the environments can get a bit repetitive, the
characters look like the film counterparts and are fairly well animated for a DS
title.
Soundwise, the game is also pretty
good, with some nice voice effects and music. The music feels a bit repetitive,
but still goes along well with the game’s overall mood and lighthearted theme.
While the simplistic nature of both
the platforming and the combat should appeal to young fans of the Madagacar, the
dumb-downed gameplay won’t likely appeal to most gamers looking for somewhat of
a challenge.
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Review Scoring Details for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa |
Gameplay: 5.0
Very simplistic and linear stuff, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa has a few
different modes and characters, but won’t give much of a challenge to most
players. The levels are pretty uninspired and very linear, and you’ll likely be
bored after only a few minutes of play.
Graphics: 7.5
The environments tend to get a bit repetitive, but the character models look
pretty good and the animations are decent.
Sound: 7.5
The sound effects and music are both pretty good and capture the game’s mood
well, and the voice work is nicely implemented.
Difficulty: Easy
Concept: 6.0
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is a simple game that kids should be able to get
into easily, but doesn’t really provide a lot of substance.
Overall: 6.0
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’s lighthearted feel and basic gameplay should
appeal to younger audiences and fans of the film, but the repetitive nature and
lack of challenge will likely turn everyone else off.
