Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 follows closely to the characters and settings introduced in the first two seasons of the Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures animated series. The new game has the yellow pizza navigating through over 40 levels of platforming gameplay across settings that include everything from Outer Space to the Prehistoric Era. Pac-Man will encounter plenty of ghosts and other bad guys all in an effort to stop the dastardly Lord Betrayus from taking over Pacworld.
Many characters from the popular Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures animated series make their way into Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 including playable sections with Cyli and her hoverboard and Spiral in the Cherry Copter in fun new mini-games sections. Players can also visit Pacopolis Park to interact with other NPCs in the game and look for some hidden collectibles outside of the game's main campaign levels. Inky, Blinky and the rest of the ghost crew make their own appearances in the game, and there are a variety of other things to watch out for included in the game from lightning projectile firing baddies to traps and holes in the ground.
Gameplay in Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 is very simple and nearly manages to be too simple and dull. The introduction of different powerups helps keeps things interesting though. The powerups give Pac-Man a wide variety of powers including a chameleon transformation that allows the character to swing across large gaps with his long tongue and a metal suit that grants Pac-Man some special magnetic properties. The game also includes one memorable mission where Pac-Man turns colossal to battle with a massive bad guy in the middle of a crowded city.
One major thing that works in Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2's favor is the timing of the release. While there are plenty of big name games releasing this time of the year, most of these games are aiming for game of the year honors with gritty, epic adventures that are larger than life in scale and ideas. However, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 simply wants to be a fun platformer that gamers of all ages can pick up and enjoy without being overwhelmed by violence and deeply emotional narratives. Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 is a fun game for younger players, and older gamers will appreciate the nostalgia inducing moments of a time when games set out to be fun rather than trying to be the next cultural phenomenon.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 does have some issues that pop up from time to time. The most annoying issue with the game is a camera system that isn't always reliable and can sometimes give terrible views that cause the player to die and force a restart. The camera can't be controlled by the player or modified in any way, so players will often be forced to take a weird angle to a jump or while fighting an enemy just to see what hazards are waiting around the next corner. When the game's camera isn't causing issues, the game is fairly simple and can be boring for gamers that aren't into searching for collectibles or playing a game just to relax after a long day.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 exudes the same charm that made its predecessor a surprise hit and the animated series such a success. The characters in the game look nearly identical to those from the show, and though the game's graphics haven't really improved, they still look fine across all platforms. The simple game is easy to pick up and play with controls that don't require a lengthy tutorial in order to master. The voices from the animated show are fully represented in the game, and fans of the show are sure to love the fun new interactions between characters in the game.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 is a game that releases in the middle of one of the busiest parts of the year for the gaming industry. Many will overlook the title in favor of more anticipated titles, but the 3D platformer is a solid game available at a low price that would make a great gift this holiday season. The title offers fun platforming gameplay and mini-games that most gamers can appreciate, and fans of the television show the game is based on will have even more fun with the game. The game is simple, almost to a fault, but fun enemy encounters and a nice variety of powerups helps to break up the monotony while keeping players entertained. Look for Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 this holiday season.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 is now available from all major retailers and can be purchased for the MSRP of $39.99 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 is rated E by the ESRB for Cartoon Violence. For more information on the game, check out the official Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 website.
Game Features:
- Single Player
- 3D Platforming Gameplay
- 40+ Levels Inspired by Animated Series
- Six Unique Powerups
- Trophy/Achievement Support
Game Information:
Developer: Monkey Bar Games
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (reviewed), Nintendo Wii U & Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: October 14, 2014
