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Ape Escape 2 | |
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Developer(s) | SCE Japan Studio |
Publisher(s) |
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Director(s) | Naoto Ohta |
Producer(s) | Yasuhide Kobayashi |
Composer(s) | Koji Hayama |
Series | Ape Escape |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 PlayStation 4 |
Release |
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Genre(s) | Platform |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Experience Ape Escape™ 2 for the PS2™ system with 1080p up-rendering and Trophies. Additional enhanced features include Share Play (Active PS Plus. To me, the messaging is pretty clear: an ape from the original Ape Escape game wasn’t found and it’s been roaming free ever since. So, of course, that begs the question—will we soon be attempting to capture that ape? And if we are, could this tweet be hinting at a new PS4 or PSVR game?
Ape Escape 2[a] is a platformvideo game developed and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2video game console. It is the second game in the Ape Escape series, and is also used as the basis for the animated series by Frederator.
Gameplay[edit]
Ape Escape 2, like its predecessor, is a platform game in which players control Hikaru as he catches monkeys spread across each level. Like the previous game, players control Hikaru using the left analogue stick and shoulder buttons while using the right analogue stick to control various Gotcha Gadgets that are unlocked as the player progresses through the game. Along with returning gadgets such as the Stun Club, Monkey Net, and Dash Hoop, Ape Escape 2 introduces three new gadgets; the Bananarang, which attracts monkeys with its scent, the Water Cannon, which puts out fires, and the Electro Magnet, which can be used on magnetic surfaces. New to the game is the monkey sidekick, Pipotchi, who accompanies Hikaru through most of the game. While with Hikaru, Pipotchi can give the player hints, help Hikaru reach ledges, and revive him when he gets knocked out.
Throughout the game, players can collect gold coins, which become more valuable when collected in quick succession. These coins can be spent on the Gotcha Box gashapon machine to unlock bonus material. Along with various collectibles such as concept art, music, comic strips, and fables, players can unlock three brand new minigames; Monkey Football, Dance Monkey Dance, and Monkey Climber, which can be played with up to two players. Monkey Football is a football game, Monkey Dance is a rhythm game requiring players to match dance moves to the rhythm, and Monkey Climber is a challenging game requiring players to navigate a monkey across vines. Completing the game unlocks a New Game+ mode in which players can play as the previous game's hero, Kakeru.
Story[edit]
The game takes place after the events in Ape Escape, where Kakeru (Spike in the English versions) stopped Specter from taking over the world. It is a few years later, and the Professor left for a vacation leaving his granddaughter, Natsumi (Natalie in the U.S. version),[1] and Spike's cousin, Hikaru (Jimmy in the U.S. version), to watch over the laboratory. The Professor has left them with one task: deliver a load of monkey pants to the monkeys in Monkey Park. Hikaru accidentally sends not only the monkey pants, but some Monkey Helmets as well, wrecking the laboratory in the process. Specter gets a hold of one, and yet again makes an army of monkeys bent on ruling the world. Under Natsumi's orders, Hikaru aims to capture all the monkeys and stop Specter. However, Specter has supplied five monkeys, the Freaky Monkey Five, with Vita-Z bananas, making them stronger and more intelligent than the average monkeys.
Hikaru manages to capture all of the Freaky Monkey Five, except Yellow Monkey. Before his fight with White Monkey, Pipotchi, a baby monkey accompanying Hikaru, is kidnapped, in order to transfer the data in his Monkey Helmet (a re-engineered model which makes Pipotchi friendly) into a device called the Lethargy Laser. Rescuing Pipotchi, Hikaru makes his way through a monkey controlled military base, and confronts Specter, who is waiting for him with a redesigned version of his battle cruiser from the first game. Before the two can battle, Yellow Monkey, now a giant monster thanks to an overdose of Vita-Z bananas attacks the facility. Specter flees, and Hikaru manages to downsize and capture Yellow.
Hikaru, the Professor and Natsumi then discover the purpose of the Lethargy Laser. By firing it at the globe, all humans worldwide will lose the will to fight back, making it easier for Specter and the monkeys to take over the world. Hikaru confronts Specter at his moonbase, who attacks him with a giant robot. Once defeated, Specter attempts to fire the laser, but Hikaru states that humans will never give up, and captures him. Hikaru and Pipotchi then flee the exploding moonbase.
Shortly afterwards, Specter escapes and goes into hiding. Hikaru then proceeds to capture all the remaining monkeys before the Professor discovers Specter's hiding place. Hikaru warps there, encountering Specter, and the two of them battle again. Specter loses and is once again captured. The game ends with Kakeru visiting the laboratory, which is again destroyed when Hikaru accidentally crashes a spaceship into it.
Development[edit]
The music of the game was composed by Koji Hayama, managed by Don Makkou and Bungo Fujiwara of Two Five and data programmed by Masaaki Kaneko of Procyon Studio. The game's sound effects were created by Takashi Kanai and Junko Sano. The voice acting of the American version was recorded by Dan Rich and Jeremy Blaustein. The American voice cast features Rachael Lillis, Jay Snyder, Gary Littman, Carter Cathcart, Greg Abbey, Tara Sands and Kathleen McInerney. The voice acting of the European version was recorded at Side UK on Great Titchfield Street in London, with Andy Emery serving as the voice director. The European voice cast consists of Jonathan Keeble as the Professor and Red Monkey, Mark Silk as Specter and White Monkey, David Holt as Hikaru, Yellow Monkey and Pipotchi, Rachel Preece as Natsumi and Pink Monkey and Richard Pearce as Blue Monkey and Kakeru. Ape Escape 2 was re-released as a PSN title in 2016, featuring trophies and upscaled graphics. There's also remote play and second screen options available[2]
Reception[edit]
On release, Famitsu magazine scored the game a 32 out of 40.[3]Kotaku praised the game citing the PlayStation 4 port which was released on PSN in August 2016.[4]
References[edit]
- ^known as Saru! Get You! 2 (サルゲッチュ2, Saru Getchu 2) in Japan
- ^'ae2_en_phase1.swfArchived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.' Ape Escape 2. Retrieved on December 4, 2009.
- ^'Ape Escape 2 joins the PS2 classics library on PS4'. Polygon. 2016-08-02. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
- ^プレイステーション2 - サルゲッチュ2. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.78. 30 June 2006.
- ^Sang, Narelle Ho. 'Ape Escape 2 Is Better Than I Remember'. Kotaku. Retrieved 2017-05-03.
External links[edit]
- Ape Escape 2 at MobyGames
- Ape Escape 2 pdf manual at archive.org
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Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ape_Escape_2&oldid=949407395'
So it's been a while since the announcement of both Ape Escape 2 and 3 coming to ps4 via ps2 emulation. Ape escape 2 has been out for a while and I recently got into the series and been loving it so much (theres just something so satisfying about catching those little monkeys after chasing them a while and that animation that plays once you've caught them lol).There have been no signs or any hints to when Ape escape 3 will come. So I'm just wondering if anybody has ideas when they'll finally release Ape escape 3 on the psn store?
Hopefully it hasn't been cancelled or anything like that. I remember it took Psychonauts a while from its announcement to it's release to the psn store for the ps4. It seems sony are taking their time with these ps2 releases (which could be a good thing). I love the ratchet and clank series as well! Yeah an ape escape sequel or remake given the same treatment as the PS4 remake of Ratchet & Clank would be amazing!!
I recently played the psp version and it's what got me into the series:).I guess it's one of those games that garnered a niche following because I get the feeling it's unique control scheme has alot to do with that. Unlike most 3d platformers where X is to jump and Square is to attack and etc. Ape escape uses R1 to jump and the right analog to attack and as a result the camera controls were abit wonky (I love the unique controls though and the camera I can deal with) so I guess it's one of those control schemes that didn't really catch on with everyone else which is understandable because people are use to the smooth controls of modern day games for eg Ratchet & Clank.But who knows maybe the re release of these ps2 games might make an Ape Escape comeback? Only time will tell I guess.
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