MDK 2

by Interplay

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002SV0U
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 28, 2000
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,933 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Editorial Review

Playing MDK2 is like riding a roller coaster or watching a good action movie. In fact, fighting aliens has never been this much fun.

You begin the adventure as Kurt, a human in a Batman-like suit equipped with some loopy but lethal accessories. Kurt packs a powerful chain gun and a built-in parachute for gliding around levels. Kurt also has access to a simple-to-use sniper mode that allows you to smoothly zoom between multiple magnification levels (1x to 75x) for long-range kills. As the game progresses, you'll eventually be able to control Kurt's six-legged dog, Max. This is no ordinary housebroken pet. This not-so-cuddly creature can carry up to four guns at once for immense firepower. In addition, Max uses a jetpack to fly around (à la Boba Fett of Star Wars fame). Finally, there is Dr. Hawkins, who uses his scientific skills to combine common household objects into weapons of mass destruction. The diversity (and strangeness) of these characters adds a unique twist to the otherwise conventional gameplay.

Most of the environments you'll encounter in MDK2 are rendered in dark colors--perfectly suited for showing off the game's outstanding lighting effects. The graphics overall are crisp, incredibly detailed, and brimming with personality. Numerous cut-scenes are rendered using the game's 3-D engine, which lends much drama (not to mention comedy) to the storyline. This is one of those rare games that is as fun to watch as it is to play, and it belongs in the library of any action fan with a Dreamcast. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Impressive 3-D graphics
• Varied gameplay
• Intuitive controls

Cons:

• Very challenging

GameSpot Review

The cliche is that sequels are never as good as their originals. MDK 2 proves to be the exception to the rule though, as the newest edition of Interplay's somewhat silly shooter is a sizable improvement over the original game. This may be because the game is now on a more powerful system, or it could be all due to the efforts of the new developer, BioWare - a developer known mostly for the PC RPG Baldur's Gate. Regardless, MDK 2 is a solid shooter with one of the most creative play mechanics to appear in any game thus far. Aliens once again threaten to destroy Earth, and this time around, Kurt (the coil-suit powered janitor), Dr. Hawkins (the eccentric inventor), and Max (the gun-wielding, six-limbed robotic dog) must work as a team to eliminate the alien menace. As the game unfolds, you'll take control of each of the three characters, using their unique play styles and character strengths to progress through each level. Kurt spends most of his level sniping baddies and switches; Dr. Hawkins collects objects and combines them to solve puzzles and make useful items; and Max holds a gun in each of his four paws and powers his way through the level. MDK 2's level structure is extremely linear and is something of a throwback to side-scrolling platformers - a cutscene will explain why a character is where, and then you'll progress through the location, passing checkpoints until you reach a huge boss. Once you've beaten the boss, another cutscene will start the next level. What's refreshing about MDK 2 is that the game does a good job of not taking itself too seriously. Bioware has filled the game with funny pop-culture references, such as an alien disturbance in sector 867-5309, and the game does a good job of poking fun at the characters. The main bad guy is a huge purple alien that wears red sunglasses and asks Earth, "Who's your daddy?" and each of the three good characters have plenty of jokes and funny moments. While MDK 2 is not as obnoxious as the first game, evidence of Shiny's influence can be found. Certain guards break wind constantly; a floating brigade of troops watches as you perform a difficult platform-jumping bit, cheering and booing at your ability; and Max drops in on three characters doing what can only be the alien version of the macarena. And while most games fail in their attempts to be at least slightly funny, MDK 2 actually provides some good laughs and keeps you interested in how the plot will develop. The story mostly unfolds using in-game cinematics. A brief but funny cutscene will show the characters figuring out what their next move should be, then there's usually a brief action sequence before the actual level loads. Each of the levels loads while the game displays a classic-comic-book-style cover - complete with comic-book-style captions - that usually depicts your good guy fighting that level's main boss. Once you've beaten that level's boss, another in-game cinematic will show the results of your actions and set the stage for the next level. MDK 2 uses a control scheme similar to that used by most N64 first-person shooters. You'll use the analog stick to face your character and the four digital buttons to actually move him. The left trigger jumps, and the right trigger fires your weapons. The digital pad is used for different things - entering sniper mode and selecting your ammo for Kurt, selecting your four weapons for Max, and selecting and using your items for the Doctor. The scheme takes a little time to get used to, but it's great with the Dreamcast's limited buttons. Unfortunately, the digital buttons are difficult to use when maneuvering tight spaces, and your characters will often end up falling off important ledges. The graphics were one of the high-points of the first game, and they're even more so here. MDK 2 really takes advantage of the Dreamcast's graphical capabilities and simply looks stunning. The environments are large and detailed, the lighting effects are genuinely spectacular, and the textures distinct and creative. BioWare did a great job with the level design - each of the different locations has its own look and feel - Dr. Hawkins' spaceship, the Jim Dandy, is a well-lit and feels like your standard Terran spaceship, while the alien ships and planets all feature distinctively alien architecture and foreign textures. All of the characters animate well - each of the characters have their own way of moving about, and even the alien characters animations are believable, if not odd. The lighting effects are simply fabulous - the characters cast realistic shadows that accurately use the available light, power-spheres sparkle in a dazzling pattern, and alien rooms are lit with patches of eerie blue light. The in-game cutscenes look really good, and the detail on every character is remarkable. In the sniper mode, you'll be able to zoom in on an enemy and watch his facial expressions change. And while the first game was plagued by slowdown, the problem is seldom seen in the sequel, even though the game features some genuinely huge environments that are packed with enemies. Another truly excellent aspect of the game is the sound. The background music is great and really helps define the mood of the game. While each of the levels features a general audio track that best reflects the character you're using, certain events or locations within the level will summon a change in the background music - usually a more tense or suspenseful theme that helps to make the situation more dramatic. The sound effects are just as good. Footsteps make the appropriate noises, different firearms make distinct sounds as they're being fired, and enemy weapons sound otherworldy. Ambient noises, such as the whir of the Jim Dandy's engine or the whisper of air flowing through a room, also help ground you in MDK 2's immersive environment. All of the alien characters are downright chatty. They'll talk and make noises to each other while unaware of your presence; they'll make alarmed noises when they discover you; they'll plead and whine while you fill them with bullets; and they'll celebrate when they actually hit you back. Additionally, some aliens seem to have some serious digestion problems, as they'll break wind at an alarming rate. While most third-graders find a good fart noise immensely funny, the sheer amount of the noise in the game is somewhat disturbing, and the joke gets old too fast - giving you that much more incentive to put the poor bugger out of its misery.--Ben Stahl--Copyright © 1998 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS is the DC's Best Game, April 30, 2001

By 

flaviolius (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: MDK 2 (Video Game)

Soul Calibur is fantastic. Jet Grind Radio is innovative. Metropolis Street Racer is addictive. However, looking back now that the DC is fading away, MDK2 is the system's best game.

Why didn't more people buy it?

The visuals are unmatched in console gaming. Even the PS2 version of MDK2 is graphically inferior. The sequence where Kurt must glide from platform to platform is absolutely jaw-dropping...and that's on the FIRST LEVEL. The alien city of Swizzle Firma looks like it was taken straight out of The Fifth Element -- vehicles buzz everywhere with no looping or random placement. Everything, from the glowing tip of Max's cigar to Shwang Shwing's snail-like spacecraft, is rendered with meticulous attention to detail and loving care.

Forget Gunbird 2 and Bangai-O. Good games in their own right, yes, but they can't compare to MDK2's challenge. This is the Ultimate Hardcore Game. Climbing the tower with Max's jetpack on level 8 or diffusing the bombs as Doc Hawkins on level 6 will take any gamer a loooong time to complete. But the game always rewards your efforts by taking you to another fantastic environment and presenting a task that is guaranteed to raise your blood pressure. The feeling of victory and accomplishment when successfully navigating these challenges is what gaming is all about.

As games become more mainstream, they are becoming easier in order to recruit more fans. A major tip of the hat to BioWare for crafting the first visually stunning 3D game that retains the challenge of 2D games of the past. The PS2 version of MDK2 contains helpful hints (like Big Red Arrows saying SHOOT HERE) that make the game less than what it's intended to be -- really a shame.

The ONLY negative comment I have about MDK2 is that the levels with Kurt are slightly more creative and fun than the Max and Doc levels. I think that if MDK2 had been 10 levels of Kurt, it would have easily been my Favorite Game of All Time. Still, the Top Three isn't bad....control, visuals, audio, even the ludicrous story are all some of the best in the industry.

MDK2 is a gorgeous, genius mix of reflex-driven action and brain-numbing puzzles that no gamer should pass up.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Graphics, Outstanding Gameplay, FUNNY!, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: MDK 2 (Video Game)

Modern game developers are ever-trying to find something new to create... and while even some of those rehashed games can be very fun, MDK2 offers something that is wildly original (though you wouldn't guess it by the title) and remarkably enjoyable. The controls take a while to get used to but after an hour or so, they feel natural, like you're not even using the bulky Sega controller. If you have money to blow, I highly suggest this game. Though I was a bit put out that Shiny isn't actually doing the game, I feel good about Bioware now that I've seen what a remarkable job they've done. The game allows you to control one of three charachters in their own levels. But their stories are interconnected so when one person wins a level, another charachter will have to take over. The game is just plain funny, and not just eye-rolling or bad-translation funny, the things you often have to do or that happen to you is hillarious. In short, buy it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best, most original game in years, April 28, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: MDK 2 (Video Game)

I'm a very old school video gamer. I love games like Kings quest and Space quest. I also enjoy 007, but games like that loose their interest fast. MDK2 is a wonderful video game. It rates five stars in every catagory. Control, Sound, Graphics, Re-play value, and Story line. The controls are wondreful, I've read regviews that they were to flawed and hard to handle, but it is so smoothly done, it's like yourf there. The sound is great, it fits the character, Max has an awsome Matrix-like soundtrack. If you use headphones, you can hear every little thing, the music, your character, the enemys, generaters, whatever. The graphics really take advantage of the system. They are very detailed, down to the inscriptions and patters on the floor, it makes you feel like your there. I don't get tired of the action, and I certainly don't get tired of the video sequences. The game is diveded up so you can go to bassically any paoint in the game you want to play again, the video sequences are all accesible in the main screen. It's witty and cool, and anyone who says different, just didn't pay attention.