Review by David Odell

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Review by David Odell
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Overview - Backstory

• Jazz Jackrabbit 2 features the adventures of Jazz
  Jackrabbit and his brother Spaz in their attempt
  to prevent a time machine from being used.
• Both Jazz and Spaz are playable characters.
• Returning from the original is arch-nemesis Devan
  Shell.
• None of this actually matters.

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Overview - Game

• Jazz Jackrabbit 2 is a sidescroller
• One of the few produced since the rise of 3D
  gaming
• Game relies on fast action and attractive
  graphics
• Original Jazz Jackrabbit was a Sonic clone with
  projectile weapons
• Second installment follows same formula, taking
  advantage of improved technology

Depending on personal taste.
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The game is tiny!

• An installation of Jazz Jackrabbit 2 is only
  about 50 MB
• Game running time is about eight hours.

• From the ending animation there are two of these
  in the game. The other runs during game startup.

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Gameplay

• Gameplay in Jazz Jackrabbit 2 focuses almost
  exclusively on running, jumping, and shooting.
• No explicit goals aside from finishing levels
• No NPCs
• No specialized tools (other than munitions)

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Gameplay

• Jazz (or Spaz) are both a particularly speedy
  breed of rabbit
• Gameplay is fast
• It can be very fast if the player doesn't take
  the time to find powerups and engage enemies.
• Fast reflexes and a good frame rate are a must.

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Level Design

• Levels are typical for a platform game
• Ammunition is strewn throughout each level
• Spring platforms let Jazz (or Spaz) fly to great
  heights
• Of course, many areas are only accessible via one
  of these springs.
• Coins provide access to bonus areas
• Carrots provide health

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Enemies

• AI is unsophisticated in all but a few cases.
• Many enemies will simply walk back and forth
• Only a few will actively seek out to harm the
  player
• Following the general aesthetic of the game,
  enemies are more whimsical than menacing.
• This isn't Doom, you know.

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Aesthetics

• The game has a very carefree and whimsical style
• Art is bright, colorful, cartoon-y
• Sound is playful. Not a whole lot of bass here.
• Music is upbeat
• This is in contrast with Jazz Jackrabbit 1, which
  had a more techno-themed soundtrack.

• Spaz is disabled by some toxic gas in a
  60's-themed level. No, seriously.

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Aesthetics

• Of note are the parallaxing backdrops the game
  supports two layers of foreground and four layers
  of background.
• Occasionally however, graphics can be sparse or
  repetitive.

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System Requirements

• Processor Intel's Pentium(R) processor,
  Pentium(R) processor with MMX(TM) technology,
  Pentium(R) II processor or compatibles.
• OS Microsoft's Windows(R) 95.
• RAM 16 MB.
• Hard Drive 45 MB.
• CD ROM 2X speed or better.
• Controller Keyboard or Joystick (optional).
• Users with early Pentiums may benefit from having
  2D hardware acceleration. On the other hand,
  using the ambient light feature may cause the
  game to run at sub-optimal speeds on machines as
  fast as 1 GHz. Additionally, no CD is required to
  actually play the game.

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Summary

• The game is short
• Only about eight hours
• The game is cheap
• Final score 4.592 out of 5.000 points

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Etc.

• Produced by Epic MegaGames
• Published by Gathering of DevelopersProject 2
  Interactive (Europe, Australia only)
• Price 29.94 at Amazon.com
• 9.99 at eBay