Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Online

***EPISODE FOUR: THE RESISTANCE.***

I am a long fan of your ongoing series Evilmike. I downloaded and played the first episode and it was one of the best packs I’ve ever played. Then came episode two which contained the most original ideas I’ve ever seen in a levelpack. It certainly surpassed the first. It was followed by episode three which was on the same quality level as the second one. And now for the fourth one of which I think is a little less great than your first three episodes.

—-Story—-

The story continues from episode two: (Episode three didn’t add much to the storyline). Devan Shell is back with all of his old armies and new ones thanks to the artifact found in the castle on Deserto. You landed on Carrotus after your planet Deserto was destroyed and now you’ve been in prison for the last few months. This episode also don’t add too much to the storyline but it does rise up some questions wich will probably be answered in episode five. Still though the story is one of the best ever in Jazz 2.

—-Eyecandy—-

Most of the game the eyecandy was very good. My favourite was just in the first level which contained a beautiful broken wall background. I didn’t like the town level though. The mountain background was kinda ugly and the houses didn’t fit with the style of Jazz 2. The rest was pretty basic. But I did like the forest path. The greenish felt just like a real forest. Good job!

—-Gameplay—-

This is where I have a few complaints. The first level was very good and original. This was mainly because of the brilliant puzzle in this one which is the best puzzle Evilmike ever thought of. But after that the levels become pretty standard. Don’t get me wrong because it plays really smooth and addicting again. But the previous episodes contained unique traps which were sometimes very hard to avoid. When you finally passed them you thought you had to play further because you had to know what the next puzzle/trap would be. I didn’t get that feeling here. The overall difficulty of the pack was easier because there were less dangerous traps. The difficulty still was pretty high however due to the great enemy placement. They weren’t just put randomly across the level, they were tactically placed and you have to think of your next step before you go. But there are still some unavoidable enemies and blind falls. The levels also feel very open and big. Although the pack is lineair, you sometimes have the choice of two or more paths to go. I liked that. I also never got frustated and I never cheated but there was one exception: the forest path. If I remembered correctly, there were no checkpoints in this level and the level was to big too save. Then one more thing: I like a few big levels better than many shorter ones. Like the SWS Fencer and Terrapin for example from Episode three. And as a final word here: I would like to see a more memorable ending in episode five. The first had the Rocket turtle chase, The second had the fight against Devan (and in one ending the exploding orbital base) and the third one had the epic and puzzle filled SWS Terrapin. Episode four dissapointed me a bit when I finished the last level.

—-Ratings—-

Story: 9 out of 10
Eyecandy: 8.5 out of 10
Gameplay: 7.5 out of 10

—-Conclusion—-

Episode four is pretty good and plays very smoothly but it isn’t as epic as Episodes two and three and it is also less original in terms of puzzles and traps. The eyecandy was great at the beginning but became standard as you progressed.

Work on these critics Evilmike and we’ll all wait on the final episode in the series. (which is hopefully not the last episode Evilmike will ever make)

EvilMike takes us with storm as he puts his talents into yet another episode, following up on his thrilling story in the battle against the villainous Devan Shell. Not only does EvilMike master the way of making great levels, he also reuses traditional tilesets such as Carrotus and uses the set in completely new ways.

Once you have rushed your way through the levels to get the new story, there is still plenty of replay value as EvilMike doesn’t just build his levels from left to right but makes lots of sideways and secrets to explore for extra points. There are even “secrets” to find through the means of cheating, as the creator has a fine track of what weaponry is accessible at what time.

This download is one of a kind, one to play by anyone that would claim to be a Jazz Jackrabbit 2 fan.

here’s an asflkjagaslkjlkgsa, because i am speechless. this is really awesome.

Alright. Even though I have to agree that this isn’t the strongest Pack in the series, it’s still a must play.

Story
As always, the story is enjoyable. Even though there isn’t as many plot twists, the story is still enjoyable and the telling of it is still top notch. I’m going to go into detail on the last episodes. Go play those if you want to know. In this one, you play the Deserto resident, battling your way through carrotus to find Devan. there are a couple of things that are left hanging but I’ll let you find them out.
10/10

Eyecandey
Not your best work. When you first begin, the castle level looks great! It felt really creepy. The carrotus levels are a lot more basic, but that’s not saying there isn’t much use of eyecandey. lots of layer 3 is used and the backgrounds look good. the city levels are pretty basic and not much is given. I loved the mine level was well as the theme was great, really looking creepy. Won’t comment of the next level because that’s a plot twist. Forest path is probably my favorite level in terms of eyecandey. everything looks natural and the green scenery looks great. Good use of the layers is also present. The city level’s don’t ok great, but still pass. Overall, good eyecandey, I just with the carrotus and city levels looked a little better.
8/10
Gameplay
Once again great. Level one was great and had a cool puzzle involving a floating lizard. The lake levels are a lot more basic, having only a few puzzles. The first city level was also basic in gameplay and not much was given. It was still enjoyable though. The mine level was very confusing and open ended. I only found the end by running around in circles. when you get to forest path, the gameplay spikes greatly. This level is heavily puzzle biased and you are going to die. there is this one puzzle that I couldn’t figure out but it was at the end of the level so It won’t affect anything. The city levels are basically just boss and plot levels. the length is fairly good on this one but doesn’t have as much replay as the first 3 episodes. Difficulty is kept down by quite a bit and I was hoping for Episode 3 difficulty. the puzzles are also a lot more basic but that doesn’t mean there not enjoyable. Overall, good gameplay, i was just expecting a little from like Episode 3.
8/10
Enemy Placement
Great. Enemies are put is good locations and there is enough o kill you. The forest level is bad with this because the bats are green and they blend in with the background. The bosses are well choicen but there aren’t as many and they aren’t as hard. Still good job!
9/10
Pickup Placement
The pickups are almost perfect. Carrots are fine in most levels and there is enough to survive. Food is in good hands you won’t keep getting sugar rushes. Ammo is good as well and it’s well choicen, making you need to think sometimes on how to use your ammo. The gems are good as well as they add both eyecandy and gameplay. One ups aren’t that common which is good. Save points are also good except in forest path. overall, I think the placement is great and is definitely up to mikes standards.
10/10

Final Score:45/50
Score: 9
Rank: A
DR? Even though this mikes weakest pack, that still doesn’t mean you have to avoid it. Play this right away as it is still a fun pack to play.

This has got to the BEST Single Player pack of 2008 to be released so far. All the levels have fantastic eyecandy. There are tilebugs in the Forest Path level but that’s the tileset’s fault and not Evilmike himself.
All the puzzles are fantastic!
I decided to round the rating up to a 10 because this is what it deserves! =D
YOU MUST GET THIS!

Another great episode from Evilmike

Evilmike does a good job with setting the stage for the plot, adding a twist so good I did not want the episode to end.

Level design is well thought out. You do some backtracking, but the tilesets and the storyline makes it like its all in a day’s work for the player, a atmosphere not seen very often even in other games.

My favorite level is the forest path. It is generally non-linear, with great music and eyecandy.

Recommended? Why would you question it? You got my brother, a passive JJ2 fan, interested in the series since episode 1. The episodes have already influenced several single-player levels (Mine included), and finally these episodes are a quality not many people can match.

In other words: YOU MUST PLAY THIS!

Wow this level a way cool!

I did play it on hard and did die some times :P every lvl i was happy that i survived with one heart left :O
The first lvl with the lizards that must follow u can be frustrating bequase if they go of the screen above u they’re always disappear. It almost did me cheat on that piece :P

Its al so good!

The eyecandy rox in every level! Al the layers are used very good i am sure u spend a lot of time in this thing!

The gameplay especialy is great, there are well hidden secrets tons of enemy’s speaded out very well in the jungle and dark levels especialy it is a great challenge to kill them without getting hurt. Foot is spreaded out very well not to much. And you did test your game very well i didn’t become stuck even once! :D

And one thing to say Hard Mode really is hard ;) If you run though it youre sure fast gonna die!

Yes on some levels u cant save but thats Jazz2’s problem not yours…

Maybe its a short review but i can say that this is the best single player level pack i’ve ever played!

Download Recommendation? NO! if ur hate great levels or ure blind. otherwise download now! and gonna be a crazy killer!

Edit: LOL i didn’t download the music :(
And the music is great to!! That makes a 10+!

Haha “ur clever one ill make it easyer for u” 1930 sec water shield (or more ):P

Invasion of Deserto…
I remember for it, its the greatest sp series ever made! It have a really amazing built and holds a lot of stuff what other level makers could learn a lot from it. I remember that I learned a tons of tricks from it like pits, wall spikes, and of course the Rocket Turtle. I really recommend for everyone because you can learn from it so much! It is really one of the best series that ever made!

A continuation of the awesome level series by Evilmike, and he does not disappoint.

Evilmike has mastered the mood of the series very well. Both the storyline and music have that “This can’t be happening” feeling that “Rebirth of Evil” started in it’s story arc, and expands on that.

I get to see more of his amazing usage of the TOPIII tileset, with a station that almost seems real due to the amazing application of eyecandy.

The highlight of this levelset for me is the virtual combat level, where you navigate a “Wireframe” version of diamondus. Diamondus levels are a dime a dozen on J2O, but this level is so unique, it’s amazing!

Recommended? OH YES!

Pure awesome.

A solid storyline starts this levelset off. Then the fun begins.

Evilmike sez this is the remains of another levelpack, but you can hardly tell with the storyline.

He uses tricks I did not even know were possible in JCS. Seeing a small cutscene to show a gate opening, greating a ball of light for a teleporter, even using the ROCKET TURTLE, a boss I had previously thought was unusable!

This levelpack is work the download just to see what kind of tricks JJ2 is capable of doing.

This file has many adventages.
First of all, you play easy, and hard skill, not only normal. Secondly, you build on one story, and the game make a new adventure. Finally it isnot boring, but very hard in the hard skill (i always play in hard)
But the other hand, it is too hard for the 6-10 years old Jazzers. I think it is IC, becouse not enough 1up in the game. add the checkpoint is too far of theme. and the big thing in the game what’s make me angry the save. When i not on the savepoint level and save the game when i like to contine it is OUT OF MEMORY. so i need to start again at the savepoint.

rating:

-Story: 10/10

-Long of levels: 10/10 (+5)plus points

-enemys: 10/10

-objects,sounds: 10/5

-secret areas, foods: 10/10
-weapons: 10/5
-others: 10/7

-trigs: 10/10

-background: 10/10

-layers: 10/10

———————————————————-
100/87
+5
-10 (for the out of memory)
-10 (it is too hard for the younger children)
———————————————————

Total:
so 100/72 —-> 7.2

Here we go:
This is the sequel to Invasion of Deserto, another very good pack.

Gameplay:
Very good use of baddies, triggers, and bonuses. The levels are long, yet fun. (My personal favourite is hopping from spaceship to spaceship. That was fun.) The major problem is difficulty. At some parts, surviving is harder than the puzzles!
9/10

Eyecandy:
Well done! No problems that I could see, and good use/choice of tilesets! There was some very good use of lighting and bosses, and awesome effects made using layers.
10/10

Placement:
The baddies are sometimes hard to deal with, and sometimes too close. Another problem is sometimes proximity of dangers, with no pause in-between. Nothing seriously wrong.
8.5/10

Originality:
Pretty average, yet the choice of endings is new to me. Also, the pack uses events in ways I haven’t seen.
Very good!
8/10

Overall:
DEFINITE download recommendation. As the description says, download the previous episode first. Yet if you need a challenge, download this pack!
9.5/10

I love it!! I really enjoy your level paks, i can´t wait for episode 4!!

The story is really good, when you play it, it´s like you are in a movie. When you play it, you really want to know what will happen next… I really want to play the next episode. I like the storyline for your episodes, it´s very creative.

The tileset used where great, and the eyecandy was fine; I really liked the tileset you used for each level, they work fine for each level and give an ambient to the story.

You where very creative for the levels, like the Diamondus Simulation level, i liked that.

The music was perfect for each level, i liked that Technoir remix you used in one level… and that music you use in the ending of the episode, i love that :)

The gameplay was great, the enemies well placed, creative obstacles, well placed pickups, etc. The only thing is that it was a little hard and you die many times, but it still was fun.

Conclusion; you have to download it!! what are you waiting? download download!! If you don´t have the previous episodes, play them before and have fun :)

PD:sorry for my bad english; i don´t usually speak english, i usually speak spanish, comprendes amigo?
Un gran episodio! recomendable :)

Time for my 60th full review! (cues celebrating music)

Story
As always, Mike delivers a great story. since this is the third pack, the pack revolves around the story a lot. I won’t spoil anything, but it is fun and has a cool twist at the end. The story is fun, cool, compelling and overall, it makes you want to keep playing.
10/10

Eyecandey
WOW. this is great. Since all the levels take place in space, eyecandey is limited. That didn’t stop mike. The backgrounds are basic but the foreground and layer 4 is great! the space ship levels look really cool and look very close to what I would think a space ship would look like. Layer 3 is also used mainly as chain link and fences. I like the ones where you go into the enemy space ships and you see space zoom by at light speed. the carrotus orbital base is more basic, but it still looks like a base an id still cool. The only level that isn’t space is the simulator. It uses a cool effect of removing the colors of the pallet to make it look like everything is an outline. It’s one of the coolest gimmicks I’ve ever seen! The cutsceens just add to the experience. Overall, great eyecandey!
10/10
Gameplay
Once again, top notch. The story levels as I call them, are very basic but a lot of the people in the base have something to say, adding more life. The first real level, the simulator, is really cool. It’s a fun, long level and the puzzles are interesting. It takes some skill. The enemy ship levels look cool, having some of the most innovating puzzles I’ve seen. It uses a complex series of triggers to make switches and interesting barrier puzzles. The first one is really hard as you need to find bouncer ammo and destroy the blasters of the ship. obstacles are great in it and it seems like a death trap at times. The final 2 levels are really cool as well. The pack is about medium difficulty on easy and I like that. the levels are between short and long but they all deliver. overall, great gameplay!
10/10
Enemy Placement
One again, great. The enemies are well choicen and there put in good locations, making it so you may die. Some are put in areas that make it hard to pass without getting hit. Enough enemies are present and the placement seems fair.
10/10
Pickups
Great. There are enough carrots to let you live and still making it so you may die. Food is good as well, making it so you won’t get constant sugar rushes. the gems add as well to the experience. The ammo is nice a varied and it is moderate which means you won’t have outrages amounts of ammo. Save points are put is good locations as well. overall, great pickup placement.
10/10

Final Score: 50/50
Score: 10
Rank: S
DR? This is my favorite pack made by Mike so far. do yourself a favor and download right now. It’s just as enjoyable as all the other episodes.

This is a nice race level. The tileset is very well used, and every tile fits together with the others. A very good point is that the level changes in every lap, so it isn’t about memorizing the layout, it’s about having reflexes and skill to jump over springs. In some parts it can be quite hard, not to say annoying, but overall it’s difficulty is fine. This level is very fun to play. Maybe one bad thing is that it can be confusing on some parts, as you don’t know where to go, and the lightning on the level, which can turn it almost/completely dark.

TILESET USAGE, ORIGINALITY, PLAYABITILY, LEVEL DESIGN, and everything else: +10

AMBIENT LIGHTNING: -0.5

I DON’T LIKE CHEESE: -4 (just kidding, I won’t take off points for this!)

I’d recommend you to download this level. If you like races, this is a MUST.

A good level, even if it is a little hard. But who cares? With a Diamondus tileset, he’s a genius.

That level is exelent…

Gameplay – 90/100 escacly HARD
Eyecandy – 100/101 My eyes has been jumped from my head…
Enemy placement – 95/100
Story – 90/100
Music – 100/100
Originality – 100/100

Ranking – 9.7

In this pack you will find
Many levels most unkind
The gameplay here is most unique
I hope you like this nice critique

Yeah anyway…

Awesome pack. Words alone cannot describe it. You actually aren’t just an ingenious levelmaker, you are also an awesome storyteller.

Download indeed.
(Unsupported rating (9.7) removal. ~Violet)
[Supported rating (9.7) reinstance. ~cooba]

This has got to be the best (if not one of the best) level packs I have seen in a long time. Each level has a great layout, and may I say that I can’t even understand how most triggers worked.

Pros:
-Amazing continuation of a great storyline.
-Mission type levels help make the game feel more suspenseful.
-Great eyecandy, which just compliments already amazing level layout.
-Strange, yet amazing, combinations of triggers that expand the use of the level, allowing much more realism.
-Great soundtrack that really fits the mood of the levels.
-Amazing work with layers to produce effects almost impossible with animating tiles.

Cons:
-Difficult at some parts for rookie players.

Overall:
As I already said, an amazing pack which deserves it’s place in your levels.

-ShadeJackrabbit (In case you don’t recognise my j2o user name)

[Another “ignore me” edit. ~cooba]

I just felt bored, so I decided to review something, and I chose this, because it is heavily overrated imo.

The layout here is a real mess. It’s a bunch of random platforms and passageways that don’t really connect together well, and seemed to be placed without any proper thought. The level is mostly fairly cramped, and is very Spaz-biased. The flow is rather lacking, and there are dead ends too. In general, the gameplay is too chaoti and confusing and thus needs a lot of improvement.

The placement here is questionable, as there are no seekers, which would be the most useful here, and the 100-coin contains both of the PU’s, and has the only carrot – which is a Full Energy. It would take a long time to gather 100 coins; and you’re likely to get killed before you can get even close. The ammo flocks are also very large, which isn’t always a good thing. Also, this uses Gun Crates, which can cause lag in a server.

The eyecandy here, is very repetitive
and mostly looks very un-realistic and chaotic. It was considered really good back in 2000, but nowadays it’s fairly average. At least there aren’t very many tilebugs.

Overall, this was thought of as a great level 7 years ago, but now in 2007 it’s just another generic, average battle level with many questionable problems. As we all now know, Evilmike is an awesome level maker – one of the best imo, so this doesn’t really mean anything.