Jazz Jackrabbit 2
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''Jazz Jackrabbit 2'' is a 1998
platform game A platformer (also called a platform game, and sometimes a jump 'n' run game) is a subgenre of action game in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels wi ...
produced by
Epic MegaGames Epic Games, Inc. is an American video game and software developer and publisher based in Cary, North Carolina. The company was founded by Tim Sweeney as Potomac Computer Systems in 1991, originally located in his parents' house in Potomac, Ma ...
. It was released for
Windows Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
, and later for
Macintosh Mac is a brand of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple since 1984. The name is short for Macintosh (its official name until 1999), a reference to the McIntosh (apple), McIntosh apple. The current product lineup inclu ...
. Like the first game, '' Jazz Jackrabbit'', ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2'' is a
side-scrolling A side-scrolling video game (alternatively side-scroller) is a video game viewed from a side-view camera angle where the screen follows the player as they move left or right. The jump from single-screen or flip-screen graphics to scrolling grap ...
platform game A platformer (also called a platform game, and sometimes a jump 'n' run game) is a subgenre of action game in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels wi ...
but features additional
multiplayer A multiplayer video game is a video game in which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time, either locally on the same computing system (couch co-op), on different computing systems via a local area network, or ...
options, including the ability to play over a
LAN Lan or LAN may refer to: Science and technology * Local asymptotic normality, a fundamental property of regular models in statistics * Longitude of the ascending node, one of the orbital elements used to specify the orbit of an object in space * ...
or the
Internet The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...
. The game was re-released on GOG.com along with the first game on November 30, 2017.


Gameplay

Just like its predecessor, ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2'' is a 2D
side-scroller A side-scrolling video game (alternatively side-scroller) is a video game viewed from a side-view camera angle where the screen follows the player as they move left or right. The jump from single-screen or flip-screen graphics to scrolling graph ...
that incorporates elements of
shooting Shooting is the act or process of discharging a projectile from a ranged weapon (such as a gun, bow, crossbow, slingshot, or blowpipe). Even the acts of launching flame, artillery, darts, harpoons, grenades, rockets, and guided missile ...
and platforming. The player must venture through a series of levels populated with enemies and environmental hazards that may hinder the player's progress. The goal is to reach the level's exit, usually indicated by an exit sign, whilst overcoming obstacles and hazards through the use of running and jumping as well as removing enemies and obstructions through the use of shooting and stomping. The player is given a selection of characters to choose from, namely, Jazz, Spaz, and eventually (in the subsequent expansions) Lori. Each character has certain traits that are exclusive to them. For an example, Jazz can launch himself vertically higher than others, Spaz can double jump, and Lori can dash through enemies. Each Character is equipped with a gun that can fire an inexhaustible supply of projectiles in a straight manner. However, the player can encounter additional ammunition that can provide greater fire-power and range but with limiting ammo. These ammo types can result in different weapon behaviors such as a flamethrower, freeze ray, and explosives. In addition to ammo, players will usually come across certain items and
power-up In video games, a power-up is an object that adds temporary benefits or extra abilities to the player character as a Game mechanics, game mechanic. This is in contrast to an Item (game), item, which may or may not have a permanent benefit that ca ...
s to aid the player. Some of these may include a 1-up that gives the player an extra life, a massive variety of food that when enough is collected gives the player a short period of invincibility in the form of a "sugar rush", a variety of diamonds that when enough is collected gives the player an extra life, a carrot that boosts the player's health, a bird in a cage that once is liberated will follow the player while automatically firing at any nearby enemy until the player takes damage, and rapid fire which decreases the delay between shots with every pick up without the player being required to rapidly tap the fire button, although, this power up will reset itself every time the player loses a life. Also scattered throughout the levels are coins to collect. These are used as currency for when one encounters the merchant. If enough coins are collected, the merchant will teleport the player to a secret location in the level that is usually filled with power-ups and other goodies.


Multiplayer

The game's split-screen mode supports up to four players, whereas online can support up to 32. The game also has local TCP/IPX network support. There are five multiplayer game modes:
Cooperative A cooperative (also known as co-operative, coöperative, co-op, or coop) is "an autonomy, autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned a ...
(where players work together in the game's single-player campaign), Battle (basically a deathmatch), Race (in which the first to complete all laps wins), Treasure Hunt (in which the first to collect 100 diamonds and find the exit wins the match), and Capture the Flag.


Plot

Devan Shell builds a time machine to rewrite history and eliminate hares. He steals Jazz and Eva's wedding ring to complete the machine. Jazz chases his nemesis Devan Shell through time, in order to retrieve the ring. When his plans fail, Devan unleashes demons from Hell and also transforms into a demon. Jazz manages to defeat Devan, takes the ring and finally marries Eva.


Development

''Jazz Jackrabbit 2'' was produced by Epic MegaGames, now known as
Epic Games Epic Games, Inc. is an American Video game developer, video game and software development, software developer and video game publisher, publisher based in Cary, North Carolina. The company was founded by Tim Sweeney (game developer), Tim Sween ...
, as the sequel to '' Jazz Jackrabbit''. It was accidentally confirmed in August 1994 by Arjan Brussee. It was released in 1998 for PCs running
Windows Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
, and later for
Macintosh Mac is a brand of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple since 1984. The name is short for Macintosh (its official name until 1999), a reference to the McIntosh (apple), McIntosh apple. The current product lineup inclu ...
computers. ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2'' has a bundled
level editor A level editor (also known as a map, campaign or scenario editor) is a game development tool used to design Level (video games), levels, maps, campaigns and virtual worlds for a video game. An individual involved with the development of game levels ...
called Jazz Creation Station (JCS), allowing players to create their own levels. The level editor was not included in the Mac versions or shareware editions.


Releases

There were several variants and releases of ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2''. ; ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2: Shareware Edition'' Released on April 10, 1998, this is a promotional
shareware Shareware is a type of proprietary software that is initially shared by the owner for trial use at little or no cost. Often the software has limited functionality or incomplete documentation until the user sends payment to the software developer. ...
game. It featured three single-player levels and two multiplayer levels. It was released to promote the game. The three single-player levels from the ''Shareware Edition'' were later included in the commercial release of the game. ; ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2: Holiday Hare '98'' This
Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...
edition was released on November 6, 1998 for the PC in North America. Unlike the previous holiday editions, this game is commercial rather than shareware. It includes three single-player levels as well as a new boss and additional multiplayer levels. ; ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Secret Files'' This
Easter Easter, also called Pascha ( Aramaic: פַּסְחָא , ''paskha''; Greek: πάσχα, ''páskha'') or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in t ...
edition was released on March 15, 1999 for the PC in Europe (with a subsequent release in Poland by LK Avalon on June 19 which added Polish language in the options). This game introduces Jazz's sister Lori as another playable character. When Lori dies, her face is immolated and she falls over. It also adds an extra episode to the original ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2'', called ''The Secret Files''. This episode consists of three different zones, each one with three levels. New tiles are also added to ''The Secret Files'', most of them from the first ''Jazz Jackrabbit''. The LK Avalon release can be found in the GOG.com re-release. ; ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Secret Files Shareware Edition'' Released in 1999, this is a
shareware Shareware is a type of proprietary software that is initially shared by the owner for trial use at little or no cost. Often the software has limited functionality or incomplete documentation until the user sends payment to the software developer. ...
game to promote ''The Secret Files''. It is identical to the standard shareware version, but it includes the ability to play as Lori, as well as two new single-player levels in addition to the standard shareware version's levels. ; ''Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Christmas Chronicles'' This
Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...
edition is an enhanced version of ''Holiday Hare '98'', featuring Lori as a playable character. It was going to be released on November 25, 1999 for the PC across Europe, but the publisher, Project Two Interactive, went bankrupt before the release date. It was eventually released in Poland by LK Avalon. A limited European release followed shortly after. This version is based on the engine of ''The Secret Files'' and can be found in the GOG.com re-release.


Reception

''Jazz Jackrabbit 2'' received positive reviews. ''
MacADDICT ''MacLife'' (stylized as ''Mac, Life'') is an American monthly magazine published by Future US. It focuses on products produced by Apple, including the Macintosh personal computer, iPad, and iPhone. It was sold as a print product on newsstands, ...
''s reviewer John Lee praised the Mac version's fluent gameplay, but criticised it for not adding anything new to the genre, which he considered "old fashioned". Trevor Covert of ''MacNN'' described the gameplay as "addicting" and praised the graphics, but ''
Next Generation Next Generation or Next-Generation may refer to: Publications and literature * ''Next Generation'' (magazine), video game magazine that was made by the now defunct Imagine Media publishing company * Next Generation poets (2004), list of young ...
'' called the PC version "unimpressive". ''
PC Zone ''PC Zone'', founded in 1993, was the first magazine dedicated to games for IBM-compatible personal computers to be published in the United Kingdom. Earlier PC magazines such as '' PC Leisure'', '' PC Format'' and '' PC Plus'' had covered games b ...
'' gave the same PC version an above-average review over a month before its European release date. The game sold 29,000 units in the U.S. by October 2001. Despite good reviews, sales were insufficient and resulted in some financial loss for Gathering of Developers.


References


External links


Official website
via
Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American 501(c)(3) organization, non-profit organization founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle that runs a digital library website, archive.org. It provides free access to collections of digitized media including web ...
* {{Cliff Bleszinski 1998 video games Cooperative video games Multiplayer online games Gathering of Developers games Side-scrolling platformers Christmas video games Run and gun games Jazz Jackrabbit Epic Games games Classic Mac OS games Shareware games Video game sequels Video games about rabbits and hares Video games scored by Alexander Brandon Video games developed in the Netherlands Video games developed in the United States Logicware games Multiplayer and single-player video games Project Two Interactive games