Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Review for Nintendo DS

System: X360, PS3, PC, Wii, PS2, DS, PSP	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Amaze	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Activision	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Nov. 4, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

While the camera performs well for the most part, there are some areas in which it screws up in a big way. For example, in one segment I had to jump over to a platform to hit a switch and then jump back to continue along the path. Well, the camera doesn’t turn around just because you’re walking backwards, so I was left trying to pull off a “blind jump,” where I’m attempting to land on a platform that I can’t even see. Instances like this aren’t particularly common, but when they do occur they’re immensely annoying.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa screenshot

Dying is not a big deal, because this game is pathetically easy. When you do die it’s usually because of a quirk like the one I’ve already mentioned with the camera. Enemies are absolute pushovers, and you’ll never really get stuck because the game is so linear and there are no real puzzles. Even if you do happen to die, you’ll just reload from the latest checkpoint, which are generously placed throughout the level.

Graphically, Escape 2 Africa is a decent package. Cutscenes are few and far between but look nice, and the in-game graphics are also pretty good. The music is a bit lacking, but to my surprise there was some voice acting during the cutscenes. Again, it was nothing great, but I supposed it served the purpose of connecting the game with the movie.

Overall, I was unimpressed with Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. It failed to do anything new with the licensed game model and was instead content to just churn out the same basic game we get with most movies these days. The more licensed games I play, the more I really want to see a developer take a movie and turn it into a high quality title. After all, there’s enough creativity to make a good movie, so why not use some of those juices to make a good game?, Escape 2 Africa is not worth a purchase. It’s a bland, boring side-scrolling game full of repetitive combat, bad level design, and lacks any real challenge.

By Joseph Catalanotto
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.5

Graphics
Animations are smooth, backgrounds are nice, and the cutscenes are well-done.

2.3

Control
The controls get the job done, but they’re ridiculously simplified. Having just one attack button is a serious drawback.

3.3

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The music is lacking, but the game’s cutscenes are voiced-over, which was nice.

2.2

Play Value
Escape 2 Africa is a fairly short game with little reason to replay any of the levels. It’s ridiculously easy and just not much fun.

2.5

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Your favorite characters from Madagascar return and you can play them all! In addition to Alex, Marty, Gloria, and Melman, you also get to play as the crafty penguins, the wacky King Julien and new hippo character Moto Moto!

Experience the characters, settings, and situations established in Dreamworks Animation’s new Madagascar movie. Unique new environments include the Watering Hole, a free roaming area that’s been expanded for the game, the volcano, and the plane wreck.

Explore a variety of different levels as you attempt to save the savannah.