There’s never any real pressure when you’re platforming, since the game doesn’t have any pits, or anything else that does more than one heart of damage. Enemies die in about three to five shots or less, and extra lives and health are incredibly common. While its predecessor felt a little too hard at times, the sequel has the opposite problem entirely.Įverything about the game feels like it’s been tuned to be as easy as possible. While the increase in resolution is a big improvement, it does help contribute to Jazz 2‘s biggest problem. This makes it a whole lot easier to see where you’re going, so you’re a little more free to speed through the levels without bumping into an enemy. The resolution is double of the original game, and all the game statistics were moved to the corners of the screen instead of bunching them all up at the bottom. The random food items you collect now also have a use, as collecting a certain number of them will activate a “Sugar Rush”, which is basically 20 seconds of reptile-murdering invincibility backed by a techno beat. Just like the original Jazz, your standard blaster will be all you’ll need to use for about 80% of the game. Some of the other weapons, however, like the pellet gun, are near useless. Some weapons, like the toaster and homing missles, work great on enemies that fly around just out of the reach of your shots. All the weapons from the original Jazz are back, although the Toaster is more of a standard flamethrower, and the TNT works more like a mine. There are nine weapons in total in Jazz Jackrabbit 2 compared to the original’s five, although just like the original game, they’re very situational. The fact that both characters get the same ending and are mostly identical except for their special moves makes it more of a matter of preference than anything else. One characters will be able to get to some power-ups and hidden areas the other can’t, but there aren’t any places where Jazz’s and Spaz’s route will actually differ. Sadly, however, the level design doesn’t really work with this idea as much as it should. Spaz will do a flying kick with the same input, which destroys enemies and certain blocks horizontal to him. By pressing down and jump, Jazz will jump into the air with his fist upraised, destroying blocks and enemies above him. Jazz can glide through the air with his ears by mashing the jump button, while Spaz gets a double jump. They both have the same weapons and they both go through the same levels, but they each have a couple of unique special moves. The other big major change to the sequel is that you can pick from two characters: Jazz or his demented brother Spaz. And in platformer tradition, you now have a downward stomp for crushing enemies and certain blocks below you.

You can also now actually aim upwards, so that you don’t have to kill enemies above you by jumping up and down and mashing fire. Running has been mapped to a separate button, so you’re not constantly dashing around into everything at full speed. Gameplay-wise, there’s been a lot of changes since the original Jazz Jackrabbit, and pretty much all of them are for the better. While the original game was definitely inspired by stuff like Bugs Bunny, the sequel has much more of a Saturday morning cartoon vibe, which fits perfectly, considering the character. The game starts off with a nicely animated intro FMV, which is basically what the opening would be if Jazz actually had a cartoon. The only time the story actually shows up at any point is the manual, though, so none of this matters very much. The queen declares Jazz a fraud and throws him in the dungeon, where his slightly psychotic brother Spaz rescues him. Suddenly, Devan Shell appears and steals Jazz’s giant wedding ring to power a time machine (how very Day of the Tentacle), where he plans to conquer the universe before Jazz is even born. He actually got his signature synth guitar sample used in so many tracks (Came from an old Korg keyboard, i believe) and he actually recreated that particular warmth on a modern synth on his follow up albums.Some time after the original Jazz Jackrabbit, Jazz and the princess are set to be married. There is a particular softness you instantly lose when moving over to modern equipment.Įxcept when Brandon himself did it. But it also shows why the original samples used back then made these tunes classics. That being said, this is an admirable tribute.

The Opening Theme is such a sluggish slow track and they just made a speed metal track. The second track though is completely cocked up. The colours, the synthy guitar that Brandon used (And still uses.) Its amazing.įor those of you need a refresh, here is the entire Jazz 2 OST: His stuff is legendary, and Jazz 2 is one of my fave games of all time. Alexander Brandon is one of my fave game composers.

Jazz jackrabbit 3 composer