Duke Nukem II

aka: Duke Nukem 2: Escape from Alien Abductors!, Duke Nukum II
Moby ID: 1009

DOS version

A competent follow-up to a classic 2D Platformer

The Good
If you owned a computer in the early nineties, the Duke Nukem series was THE platform series to play. The first one was a very good game, and quite popular, with colorful, detailed graphics, and well designed levels. This sequel improves on every aspect of the original game. For one thing, the 256 color VGA graphics are a great improvement over the original's EGA graphics, as is the Sound Blaster sound effects and music. The animation is good, and it runs well on a 386. There are many detailed enemies, a great improvement over the original's few robots. In general, the levels are well designed, though some of the levels can be frustrating to get through, but it's mostly a joy to play. You start out with the assault rifle with unlimited ammo, but you can obtain a powerful laser or rocket launcher. There are many levels in the games four episodes, my favorite one is when you are on the outside of the space station with the sky whizzing by, and have to avoid the rocket engine blasts, very cool.

The Bad
The levels get repetitive after a while, and some are easy, while others are very difficult, they should have balanced the levels out more. The boss creatures are un-inspiring, being basically the same alien creature in different steel vehicles..ho-hum.

The Bottom Line
A very good platform game that requires some patience, but is worth it. If you are a fan of the first game, or just a platform game fan, you should get this.

by Ryu (50) on February 26, 2002

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