Pandemonium 2
| Pandemonium 2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Toys For Bob (PS) Crystal Dynamics (PC) |
| Publisher(s) | NA Midway Games EU BMG Interactive JP Bandai NA Crystal Dynamics (PC) |
| Designer(s) | Zak Krefting |
| Programmer(s) | Andrew Lacey |
| Artist(s) | Leon Cannon |
| Composer(s) | Burke Trieschmann |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) | PlayStation NA September 30, 1997 EU October 1997 JP May 21, 1998 EU January 19, 2012 (PSN) Microsoft Windows
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| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Distribution | CD-ROM |
Pandemonium 2 (Miracle Jumpers in Japan) is a platform game, developed by Crystal Dynamics, for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows. It is a sequel to Pandemonium.
Gameplay
Pandemonium 2 employs a so-called "2.5D gameplay". While the game renders polygons in a typical 3-D fashion, gameplay is 2-D. Players can choose to be either Nikki or Fargus - who each have different specialties - with the option to change for each level. During the quest, players can earn extra lives by collecting treasure.
Unique powers collected during gameplay may replace, extend or add to previous powers, depending on which character is in play and which power obtained. The characters handle the unique powers differently. For instance, collecting the "fire power" allows Nikki to shoot destructive fireballs, while it grants Fargus invincibility and a deadly touch, but requires him to constantly move forward. Machines and equipment are also available throughout the game, although they are tied to certain areas.
There are four boss stages, set after a block of stages has been completed. Destroying the bosses usually involves small puzzles, such as catapaulting fireballs at a flying boss, or surviving the onslaught of a giant mecha boss while balanced on the back of a large, fast moving tank.
Should the player collect +80% of treasure in a level, they will have access to the bonus level "Boarder Run", where they must slide along a course collecting treasure, while simultaneously keeping ahead of a pursuing vortex. Failure in "Boarder Run" does not cost player lives; successfully completing "Boarder Run" will result in the player earning at least one extra life.
The player begins with four hit points to represent health. Through bonuses, this can be expanded up to a maximum of 16. To achieve maximum hit points, the player must find one of several "life pieces" in hidden areas of the game. When all points are lost, the character loses a life and returns to the last checkpoint. When all lives are lost, the game is over.
Plot
When the magic-infused "Comet of Infinite Possibilities" is about to pass over Lyr for the first time in 300 years, the inhabitants race to reach the comet in order to make a wish on its powers. Nikki, a curvy and sassy sorceress, decides that stealing the source of its magic is a quicker way to reach power than study. Her bosom buddy, Fargus, a court jester, has gone insane over the years and has a simple plan to "touch pretty fire" upon reaching the comet. Sid, a sharp tongued head on a stick and Fargus's only other "friend", wishes to get rid of Fargus and get closer to Nikki. But the evil Goon Queen Zorrscha has her sights set on the comet as well. Nikki, and Fargus must make it to the comet before she does, lest she fulfill her own morally questionable wishes.
The ending of the game varies by which character defeats the final boss. If Nikki succeeds in the quest, she gains control of the universe. If Fargus does, he creates a world in which he is the flowers and the trees, as well as the sun, which makes Sid fume to the point where his head explodes.