GENRE
	Action
	DEVELOPER
	Krome Studios
	PUBLISHER
	EA Games
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	unknown
	WII EXCLUSIVE
	gcn
	EXPECTED RELEASE DATE
	October 26, 2004
	BUY NOW AT

After playing through the original Ty the Tasmanian Tiger and thoroughly enjoying my experience, I was more than happy to hear that a sequel was in the works before E3 hit. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first game, but it was more than enough to draw my attention away from the other platforming titles that had swamped the market at around the same time. It was even more of a surprise, especially knowing that Krome Studios, the developers of the original and the sequel as well, had already been working on a King Arthur title for Konami. As it stands, the follow-up to everyone’s favorite boomerang-flinging Tasmanian tiger video game is shaping up quite nicely.

media

impressions

The main difference between this title and its predecessor is that it’s set within a wide, open world with lots of small worlds integrated into it for exploration. These smaller areas open up a range of mission-oriented gameplay, which is appealing to anyone from adults to teens to kids. While you’re going through each level, you’ll gain access to a large amount of bunyips, or robots, which allows Ty to access different areas across lava or water. One of the most impressive bunyip in the game is the battle bunyip, which basically plows through anything in its path. You can also use special explosive weapons which bring up a targeting reticule in first-person. This is very useful for destroying any enemy vehicles, obviously, but can also clear obstacles. While in the bunyip, however, enemies may be inclined to jump onto you and latch on for a ride, impeding your movement capabilities. The play mechanics are simple, but there are a few complex elements as well such as upgradeable equipment using the game’s currency system. The only items you’ll be collecting will be cash, unlike the dozens upon dozens of different things you were expected to collect in the first title.

Since Ty will soon be a television star with his own cartoon airing soon, you’d expect the world within the new game to be bright and colorful, just like a cartoon. You’d assume correctly and everything seems to be looking very nice in this iteration of the franchise. Ty and his friends seem to be memorable characters and the animations that detail each of their characteristics look amazingly fluid. After Krome’s surprising work with the original, there’s no doubt that the game would look this much better than the original. Also, we’d like to point out that there’s a kart racing mini-game in the title. This allows you and a few friends to go head-to-head through various courses based on the locations found throughout the game. Yes, that’s right, there’s a kart racing game already implemented and you don’t have to buy a whole other game to play it! Someone let them know that we’re just not used to that sort of generosity.

word on the street

The original Ty showed promise for a brand new platforming mascot under the helm of Krome Studios and EA. In fact, it came out at just the right time to achieve a small cult following. Krome Studios became a small “it” developer much like Swingin’ Ape and their success with Metal Arms. When all is said and done, the buzz surrounding this game isn’t as great as the other titles that EA is releasing, but it will still win over the fans of the original as well as people who still love platformers.

press release notes

• TY is equipped with an arsenal of 21 upgradeable boomerangs, including the Lasharang, Kaboomarang, and Megarang.
• Collect precious opals and trade them off in a new monetary system that lets players buy and trade weapons for TY.
• The game features five different "Mech units" to help TY fight large numbers of enemies and complete mini-missions. With these "Mech units" TY will have the ability to swim under lava; shoot lasers, Blastorangs, water or fire; and much more.
• TY will also be challenged to complete driving and flying missions featuring combat and puzzle solving, with access to helicopters, submarines, and off-road trucks.
• Unlockable cart racing mini-games will allow gamers to challenge their friends in seven unique cart racing levels set across different areas of the Outback.
• Explore the Australian Outback by foot or vehicle in an open world filled with excitement and danger around every corner.
• Interact with a cast of 100+ characters indigenous to the Australian Outback who help TY in his adventures and battles against Boss Cass.
• Fight off Boss Cass and his evil Uber Reptile minions in more than 50 missions set in an enormous world that includes Australian deserts, rain forests, billabongs, sunny beaches, and country towns.
• The game features Living Environment Technology (LETS) to create lush organic environments; streaming level technology for large worlds of uninterrupted gameplay; and realistic cloth simulation.

overall

Even if online retailers may be playing a mean trick on us with a $19.99 price tag, EA Games has still made no official comment pertaining to the final MSRP. Will Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue be worth your wallet with the holiday season fast approaching? Perhaps if the price is right, yes. There are a lot of games coming out in the next few months that have caught the attention of many gamers. Platforming fanatics would do well to check out this game, though, no matter what the cost. Even if the game is stepping away from the normal "platforming" genre and busting into a full on action game. That being said, Ty 2 is shaping up nicely and should make a nice appearance on the GameCube. After all, the talented staff at Krome Studios can only improve on what they’ve done so far.

Austin Starr Staff Profile | Email "If life's not beautiful without the pain / well I'd just rather never ever even see beauty again"

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