Commander Keen 2: The Earth Explodes

The Good
Graphically it's OK and just about the same as part one, which means cute graphics and funny and totally crazy looking enemies. The game continues the story started in the first episode, but has a story of it's own too. Keen has infiltrated the Vortican Mother ship build to destroy earth. He now has to find all the laser cannon's and destroy them to save the famous cities where they are aimed at, such as Moscow, New York and London. You will find these in the different levels spread on the main map similar to part one. Just like the graphics the gameplay is the same because it's basically the second part of the same release. This means you will find smooth gameplay rarely seen on the PC in games of that age. This one is not shareware just as part 3 and unlike part 1 (This system is used in many of Apogee's games). You can still buy this game, however. If you loved the first part you will love this one too, for sure.

The Bad
The gameplay is a bit dated by today's standards. Another problem comes with shooting because you need to use the combination of ALT+CONTROL to shoot. This is especially frustrating if you need to shoot and do a hi-jump with keen's pogo stick since you use CONTROL to jump and ALT for the pogo and combining these two results in a hi-jump which is needed sometimes.

The Bottom Line
Another fun classic platform game that is just the second part of the same release as part one so don't expect anything new. This is not really a problem since part one is also a brilliant classic.

The Good
As the direct sequel to Commander Keen 1 : Marooned on Mars, there is very little difference. Sure the areas, puzzles, monsters, etc., are all different, but it is basically the same game.

Personally, I prefer this to the first episode. This time, you're aboard the alien's spacecraft and you must destroy all the death rays focused on Earth's major cities. The levels are kind of cute, and I definitely got a kick out of running around their spaceship.

The Bad
Since it was based on the same engine as the first episode, it suffered from the same problems. Particularly, the awful idea that CTRL+ALT should be the fire control.... stupid, stupid!

The Bottom Line
As a continuation in the series, it's a must for anyone who loves Commander Keen. The story is as strong as the first, and the levels a little more entertaining. A definite in my book.

The Good
Back in 1990, you didn't see smooth-scrolling EGA graphics unless you were playing Commander Keen. The storyline is great, the enemies are funny yet dangerous, and it's just like playing Super Mario on a PC.

The Bad
Nothing.

The Bottom Line
The first classic PC smooth side-scroller, the Keen Series paved the way for other developers to see that the PC was a real gaming machine, at last.

This episode of Keen is set on the Vorticon Mothership hovering over the earth, ready to use its Tantalus Rays on all the major cities of the planet unless Keen can disable them in time! If not, The Earth Explodes!