Pac is back in Pacman World 2,
a simple maze game that takes the original style and blends it with a 3D
world like
Crash Bandicoot's,
such that it also involves running and jumping, as well as coming down hard
on crates (called "butt-bounce" here) to reveal bonuses including cherries,
extra dots. There's also a variation on the 'Sonic Spin' from the eponymous
hedgehog.
Brilliant opening FMV sequences greet you showing the ghosts invading Pacman's
territory and our hero learns of this event. Does the point of the plot really
matter? What you need to know is that while this game owes a lot to others,
it's been programmed in such a way that it's still bloody great fun - and how
often can you say that about a game?
Before each level there's a shot of Pacman walking across the screen
which looks like it has unwanted jaggies, but thankfully these are gone when
playing the game itself. There are great water effects, fantastic use of
bright colours, enthusiastic music and all those important sound effects to
recreate the 80s.
It's pretty much spot on when it comes to controlling Pac. The only problem
can be with some icy sections so you'd best make sure to avoid these sometimes.
Certain sections can be easy but look fantastic as you traverse your way
through, while others can be palm-sweatingly difficult. However, there is a
very liberal sprinkling of extra lives, occasionally allowing you to try the
odd scene as many times as you like because you'll always find the requisite
power-up along the way.
Even if this was all there was, I'd conclude that it's fun for old and young
alike, and that you really can't say no to this for a penny under twenty quid.
Then it takes one step further - collect tokens around Pac's world and you
can play the original arcade games of Pacman, Pac-Attack, Pac-Mania, Ms.
Pacman, plus the Pacman World 2 mazes - which are fancy Pacman
levels containing the usual sound FX from the 80s, plus a jukebox.
Looks like we don't have the excellent Pac-Land, but with the bonus of
these extras, does it get any better than this?
GRAPHICS SOUND EFFECTS AND MUSIC PLAYABILITY ENJOYMENT
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B
37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Jan 2011: Intel Quad Core Dell XPS 8100, i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80Ghz, 8Gb RAM, nVidia GeForce GTS 240, Windows 7
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
Before each level there's a shot of Pacman walking across the screen
which looks like it has unwanted jaggies, but thankfully these are gone when
playing the game itself. There are great water effects, fantastic use of
bright colours, enthusiastic music and all those important sound effects to
recreate the 80s.
Even if this was all there was, I'd conclude that it's fun for old and young
alike, and that you really can't say no to this for a penny under twenty quid.
