GENRE
	Platformer
	DEVELOPER
	Namco
	PUBLISHER
	Namco
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1
	CONNECTIVITY
	no
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There are tons of platform titles available for the Nintendo GameCube, but does a good license necessarily make it a good game? Namco has definitely proven that it can happen with Pac-Man World 2. Featuring beautiful graphics, wonderfully produced sound, and fun gameplay with elements taken straight from the arcade classics, this title is definitely more than it seems. This platformer is very well polished, but ultimately suffers from a bad camera, just like most in its genre. The day anyone sees a good camera system in a 3D platform title is the day I’ll eat my copy of Super Mario 64. While the light-heartedness of the title may turn a few people off, anyone who’s played Luigi’s Mansion or Super Mario Sunshine would do well to check out Pac-Man World 2.

visuals

Pac-World is filled with beautiful visual details, from Pac-Man himself to the areas he traverses. Running along smoothly at a beautiful 60 frames per second, Pac-Man’s animations are solid and wonderfully conceived. You wouldn’t think there would be anything special about a giant sphere head with arms and legs, but the character looks great and adds lots of nostalgic animations, such as the mass consuming of pac-dots and winks. Each world that Pac-Man encounters is filled with brilliant, colorful images from the quaint little cottages of Pac-Village to the rolling lava of the volcano levels. A keen eye for detail went to making this one of the best-looking platform games available. There are also a number of nicely conceived CGI cut-scenes, which advance the plot little by little. While it would be nice to have seen real time cut-scenes, those given are gladly received.

audio

The sound effects are the highlight of Pac-Man World 2, strangely enough. Every sound effect from the old school gobbling of a pac-dot to the newly added spins and bounces are crisp, clear, and flat- out entertaining. The music is equally likeable, if not more so. Every rhythmic track is catchy and brings life to every level. While it may be too bright and cheery for some, it’s a guilty pleasure all the same.

gameplay

In all seriousness, what can you really do with the world of Pac-Man? There can only be so much that you can play around with behind the concept of a little sphere-headed guy with an insatiable addiction to pellets. Just like every other platform title there are a ton of items to collect. However, instead of shines and blue coins, Pac-Man must collect sacred Golden Fruit and Tokens in order to fully complete his quest. In order to collect said items, he must jump, butt-bounce, and gobble his way through over 20 levels. This brings us to Pac-Man World 2’s greatest flaw. The camera is extremely poor and every other death is due to a poorly placed fixed angle or otherwise “locked” view. If Pac-Man is against a wall and tries to reach a platform that is not in view, there’s roughly a fifty percent chance that he won’t make it there alive. Aside from the poor camera, though, lies a great, challenging adventure with a variety of areas that bring back the nightmares that are ice and lava levels. On the downside, even with twenty levels and five boss battles, Pac-Man World 2 is a very short game. Thankfully it’s still a fun game while it lasts.

multiplayer

N/A

overall

While Pac-Man World 2 uses generally the same formula as most other platform games available today, it still manages to stay above the rest with brilliant use of Namco’s mascot and wonderfully produced sound. With an unfortunate length of around five to seven hours, the only lasting value this title has is the wonderful arcade with unlockable games like Ms Pac-Man and Pac-Mania. When all is said and done, this title offers a fun adventure for anyone anticipating another platform romp through a beautiful, colorful world.

7.5/10