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THE LOST VIKINGS 2 Company: Interplay/Blizzard Released: May 1997 Genre: Action/Puzzle Graphics: 8.5 Control: 8.5 Sound/Music: 7.0 Storyline: 7.0 Review by: Corbie Dillard ©2008 SUPER-NES.COM

Since many gamers were moving over to the Sony Playstation at the time The Lost Vikings 2 was released, a lot of people aren't even aware that the game was even released on the Super NES system in 1997. The original Lost Vikings title combined platforming action, well-constructed puzzle elements, and an offbeat and often crude sense of humor, to form one of the most unique releases available for the Super Nintendo system. So was developer Blizzard able to capture lightning in a bottle a second time with this Lost Vikings sequel? The visuals in The Lost Vikings 2, while not on par with the Sony Playstation version, are very well done. The large color palette of the Super Nintendo system is put to good use and many of the unique graphical touches found in the original game can be seen throughout this sequel. Once again, the animation on the various characters and enemies is top notch, and the crude humor is back as well. It's not uncommon to see Olaf scratching his rear end or one of the other vikings randomly picking their noses. The backdrops can be a little bland, especially by comparison with many of the other later Super NES releases, but it doesn't take anything away from the overall experience. Much like the first Lost Vikings game, each area has its own distinct look and feel to it. You'll see everything from a haunted cemetary to a full-blown viking ship. There's certainly no lacking of visual eye candy throughout the game and you'll definitely catch yourself looking forward to each new area. The hip-hop soundtrack style that became so popular in the first Lost Vikings game makes a return, and this time with a unique spin on it. The offbeat tunes are still here, but this time they get a slightly futuristic tone to them that sets them apart from the many catchy tunes used in the first title. The music in this game feels like its more in the background this time around and isn't nearly as loud as the music in the first Lost Vikings game. This might sound a little annoying, but it actually works quite well and allows you to hear the interesting sound effects a lot better. And given how tricky many of the later levels are, you'll also be glad to not have the music blaring in your ears while you're trying to concentrate and figure out what to do next. If you liked the music in the first Lost Vikings game, you're in for a treat with this one. For anyone who's not played The Lost Vikings before, you can check out the review of the first game for a rundown on how the game play works. And for those who have played it, you're going to feel right at home with The Lost Vikings 2, as it's pretty much more of the same. The only difference is the scenery change and the inclusion of two new characters, Fang and Scorch. Throughout the game there will be times when you'll have to use these two new characters, who each have their own unique skills to bring to the table in order to get everyone to the end of the level safely. Fang can climb walls and scratch with his claws, while Scorch the dragon can flap his wings to fly and breath fireballs. Trust me, these powers will come in quite handy given how tricky many of these levels are. As challenging as the original Lost Vikings game was, this sequel seems to take things up a notch or two, especially later on in the game. You'll have to put on that thinking cap with this one. The developers went with a "if it's not broke, don't fix it" approach and left all of the addictive game play intact and the result is a game that any Lost Vikings fan will absolutely love. The Lost Vikings 2 does everything a great sequel should do. It takes all of the great aspects of the first game and adds just enough new twists to make this game worth a play. It's just as addictive as the first game was and while I wouldn't go so far as to call it "better" than the original, it's at least as good as the first game. Suffice it to say, if you loved The Lost Vikings, you're going to love this sequel just as much.