Wario Land II
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| Wario Land 2 | |
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| Developer(s) | Nintendo |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Release date(s) | March 31st, 1998 (GB); March 31st, 1999 (GBC) |
| Genre(s) | Platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: K-A (Kids to Adults) (GB) Everyone (6+) (GBC) |
| Platform(s) | Game Boy, Game Boy Color |
| Media | 8-megabit cartridge (Game Boy version) 16-megabit cartridge (Game Boy Color version) |
Wario Land 2 is a video game released for the Game Boy in 1998. It was the last first party title made for the Game Boy and was later remade to take advantage of the Game Boy Color hardware. Both versions of the game can be enhanced in Super Game Boy, but in the later version, the save file must be deleted if a Color or Super save is in it before playing the other one. In this game, Wario has to recover his treasure from Captain Syrup and her Black Sugar Gang (formerly the Brown Sugar Pirates).
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[edit] Gameplay
In this game, as in its sequel, Wario Land 3, Wario is indestructible. This necessitated the introduction of challenging and inventive puzzle elements to the game's levels. Enemy attacks can be both a help and a hindrance; on the one hand, they may change Wario's status (so that he is on fire or frozen, for example) or even transform him in order to access new areas - on the other such changes may actually prevent progress and need to be avoided. In addition, some enemy attacks simply stun Wario and make him drop some of the coins he is carrying. Bosses defeat Wario by forcing him out of the boss 'arena'. This resets the boss, and the player must try again.
Coins are of vital importance for use in the game's two minigames - one, a memory game, unlocks the 'treasures' in each level, while the other is a guessing game that unlocks pieces of a treasure map. Both games require coins to play, and in both cases are easier the more coins the player has. In addition, these games must be completed in every level of the game in order to unlock a special, 'final' level ('The Really Final Chapter').
Unusually for a platform game, Wario Land 2 is not entirely linear in narrative. Reaching one of the game's end bosses will reveal a 'map' of the game after the first play-through, from which the levels with secret exits are revealed, and the player may choose which level they enter out of the ones unlocked. All secret exits alter the storyline of the game (which is conveyed in cutscenes), and all bar one the game's ending.
[edit] Plot
The game features the return of Wario's nemesis, Captain Syrup. Early one morning, she and a few of her soldiers, the Pirate Gooms, sneak into Wario's Castle and cause havoc. They steal his precious treasure, set off his giant alarm clock, and leave the faucet running, flooding much of his castle. After Wario wakes up and figures out what's going on, he gives chase to them all across the surrounding lands. The game is noteworthy for its branching paths. By finding hidden exits in some stages, the player can change the direction of the game's plot (loose as it is) and uncover different endings, as well as find more treasure. In fact, finding every single ending and the really final chapter, is the only way to truly finish the game.
[edit] Development
Unlike the previous game in the series, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, in Wario Land 2, Wario is indestructible (although not impervious to harm) and loses coins rather than health. Rather than using Mario-esque caps with abilities, the attacks of certain enemies would transform Wario into other forms.
Rather than the navigable world of Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Wario Land 2 is in the form of a story with chapters (though the order is not entirely fixed).
[edit] Bosses
Giant Snake: A snake lurking in the dungeons of Wario's Castle, you should jump on its head to damage it.
Cave Master: An anthropomorphic Bull-like creature who, as his name suggests, dwells in a cave. He attacks by charging at Wario, jump on its head to defeat it.
Bobo: Captain Syrup's enormous pet bird, resembling a carnivorous parrot, jump on its head to defeat.
Giant Bee: An enormous bee, as its name suggests, jump on its head to defeat.
Ball Bunny: An oversized rabbit who enjoys playing basketball with Wario...with Wario as the ball, jump on its head will turn him into a ball, you throw the ball into the hoop to defeat it.
Giant Fish: He will try to eat you. Hit him on his belly.
Syrup with Mecha Spear-Man: Syrup in her hovering vehicle, who employs a robotic spear-man to attack Wario, hit him in the front side when he's recharging, and throw him at Syrups hovercraft.
Giant Ghost: Kidnaps Syrup. Destroying him releases Syrup, whom Wario may then easily defeat. Charge at the ghost's side to defeat it.
Bubble Man: A bizarre evil soap-sud character who also kidnaps Syrup, you must be precise and jump exactly on top of him to make him take damage. Also be aware of his decoys.
Captain Syrup: The antagonist in her flying machine. First you dispatch the glass shield by charging at it fron its side, then throw the gernades dropped to the ground at it to defeat.
Syrup in Fire Machine: Similar to the above, with a slightly different floating vehicle. You should first throw the little spearman at the machine, then throw the bombs at the erupting flames to make the flames erupts higher, thus hitting the machine causing damage.
[edit] Reception
Upon release Wario Land 2 was widely praised for its inventive gameplay elements and for being a 'fresh spin' on the platforming genre, as well as having well-designed levels and being a fun experience.
