Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge

Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge
North American Playstation cover art
Developer(s)	Blitz Games
Publisher(s)	Hasbro Interactive Infogrames Interactive (PlayStation Greatest Hits Re-Release and later PC Reissues)
Designer(s)	David Lubar (Game Boy Color version)
Composer(s)	Andrew Morris
Series	Frogger
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Dreamcast, Game Boy Color
Release	September 23, 2000 Game Boy Color NA: September 23, 2000 Dreamcast NA: September 30, 2000 Microsoft Windows NA: October 1, 2000 PlayStation NA: October 10, 2000 PAL: 2000 Nintendo 64 NA: Cancelled
Genre(s)	Action
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer

Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge is a video game released in 2000. The game is part of the Frogger series, and the sequel to the 1997 remake of Frogger, featuring similar 4-way movement gameplay in a 3D world and 6 different environments. Unlike its predecessor, Frogger 2 featured a choice of different characters to play with in the game, several multiplayer modes, and an in-game storyline. A Nintendo 64 port of the game was planned, but later cancelled.^[1]

Gameplay

The PC and console versions of Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge features significant changes to the gameplay that differentiates it from its predecessor. Although the gameplay objective of the Frogger series remains unchanged (the player has to collect five small frogs in order to win the game, all the while avoiding level-specific obstacles and enemies), the general gameplay has been retooled to a more traditional platformer. The level design structure has been changed to a more linear format, compared to the complex level maps from its predecessor which requires the player to actively explore and seek out the frogs. Due to the linear nature of the levels, all five frogs placed sparingly throughout each level, doubling as checkpoints for the player should they lose a life. The gameplay also lacks a time limit, though the player is graded at the results screen on how fast they completed the level.

The gameplay has also been significantly expanded from the predecessor. Players can now choose from a selection of frogs (with players alternating between Frogger and Lillie in story mode), albeit they all share the same moveset. Frogger's "super jump" from the first game (an ability that allowed him to jump to higher-placed platforms) was expanded to also allow Frogger to perform a "double jump" after using it, which can be used for clearing platforms with short gaps in front of them. Likewise, the ability of Frogger to croak was tweaked to allow players to use them as a beacon of sorts to find the small frogs-when Frogger croaks (represented by a circle that expands outwards from him), the small frogs will croak back through a similar beacon that the player can use to determine their location. Frogger also retains the ability to use the tongue to devour insects is also present, which like in the previous game can grant the player a higher score or an extra life depending on the insect consumed. Levels now include 25 coins scattered throughout each level that player can collect; with the reward for collecting them all in one level playthrough being a new game mode or an additional playable character. The game also features a multiplayer mode, which supports two players in the PlayStation version (four with a multitap) and can support up to four players in the Dreamcast and PC versions.

In contrast, the Game Boy Color version of Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge plays a lot closer to the original arcade game, though this game also has changes as well. Instead of collecting frogs, the player merely has to reach the end of each level, avoiding obstacles along the way. Flags are marked as checkpoints for the player to respawn to should he lose a life, and gems can be collected as a means to add to the player's score. A time limit also exists, so the player has to quickly reach the end of the level before the time runs out. Twenty four levels are spread throughout five worlds (Frog Ponds, Gator Lairs, Ice Caves, Lava Pits, and Lost Mines in chronological order) for the player to complete, with Frogger and Lillie available as playable characters.

Plot

Swampy, a crocodile whom Frogger once jumped on, gets revenge on Frogger by stealing the many baby frog siblings of Lillie Frog. Frogger and Lillie pursue Swampy through various worlds rescuing the baby frogs along the way. At the end, Frogger and Lillie are both captured and it is revealed that Swampy intends to sell the tadpoles as snacks, but his plans are foiled when one of the tadpoles named 'Tad' escapes and destroys his lair.

Reception

In comparison to the mixed reception of its predecessor, Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge was received much more positively. IGN, who gave Frogger: He's Back! 2/10, gave the Dreamcast version of Frogger 2 a rating of 8.5, stating that "after Hasbro's frightful first effort with this old classic, Blitz Games sets things straight". GameSpot rated the game 7.1 for the PC version, 7.0 for the PlayStation version, and 6.9 for the Dreamcast version while giving the Game Boy Color a more mediocre review of 5.4. Metacritic gave the game 77/100.

References

External links

• Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge at MobyGames