Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Jazz Jackrabbit 2
Windows Cover art
Developer(s)	Orange Games, Epic MegaGames
Publisher(s)	Gathering of Developers
Distributor(s)	MacPlay (Mac version)
Composer(s)	Alexander Brandon
Series	Jazz Jackrabbit
Platforms	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
Release date(s)	April 13, 1998
Genre(s)	Side-scrolling platform game
Mode(s)	Single-player or multiplayer

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 is a platform game produced by Epic MegaGames, now known as Epic Games. It was accidentally confirmed by Arjan Brussee in 1994 and released in 1998 for PCs running Windows, and later for Macintosh computers. Like the prequel, Jazz Jackrabbit, Jazz Jackrabbit 2 is a side-scrolling platform game but features additionally multiplayer options, including the ability to play over a LAN or the Internet.

Plot

Jazz chases his nemesis Devan Shell through time, in order to retrieve the ring with which he planned to wed Eva. Jazz's brother, Spaz and (in the special edition of Jazz Jackrabbit 2, The Secret Files) Jazz's sister Lori, were introduced as new playable characters.

Gameplay

Just like its predecessor Jazz Jackrabbit, Jazz Jackrabbit 2 is a 2D side-scroller that incorporates elements of shooting 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 player's 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 each other. For an example, Jazz can launch himself vertically higher than others, Spaz can double jump, and Lori can dash across the screen whilst eliminating almost any enemy or obstacle in her path. Each Character is equipped with a gun that can fire an inexhaustible supply of projectiles in a straight manner. During the course of the game, however, the player can encounter additional ammunition that can provide the player with greater fire-power and range but with limiting ammo. These ammo types can result in different effects from flamethrowing to firing ice shards (that freezes almost any enemy or object on contact).

In addition to ammo, players will usually come across certain items and power-ups to aid the player. Some of these may include a 1-up (that gives the player an extra life), a massive variety of food (when enough is collected gives the player a short period of invincibility in the form of a "sugar rush"), a variety of diamonds (when enough is collected gives the player an extra life), a carrot (that boosts the player's health), a bird in a cage (once it is liberated by the player will follow the player around and will automatically fire 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).

Scattered throughout the levels are coins that the player can pick up. These are used as currency for when the player encounters the merchant. if the player has collected enough coins throughout the level the merchant will teleport the player to a secret location in the level that is usually filled with power-ups and other goodies for the player to collect.

Multiplayer

Players can also participate in multiplayer. The game's Splitscreen mode supports up to 4 players, where as the Online mode can support up to 32. The game also has local TCP/IPX network support. In Multiplayer there are five game types that players could participate in, namely, Cooperative (where players could work together in the game's single player campaign), Battle (which is basically Deathmatch), Race (in which the first to complete all laps wins the race), Treasure Hunt (in which the first to collect 100 diamonds and find the exit wins the match), and Capture the Flag.

Development

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 was produced by Epic MegaGames, now known as Epic Games, as the sequel to Jazz Jackrabbit. It was accidentally confirmed on August 24, 1994 by Arjan Brussee and released on February 1, 1998 for PCs running Windows, and later for Macintosh computers.

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 has a bundled level editor 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 in 1998, this is a promotional shareware game. It featured three single-player levels and two multiplayer levels. It was released to promote the game.

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 - Holiday Hare '98

This Christmas edition was released in 1998 for the PC, but only 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 edition was released on March 15, 1999 for the PC, but only in Europe. 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.

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 - The Secret Files Shareware Edition

Released in 1999, this is a shareware 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 edition is an enhanced version of Holiday Hare '98, featuring Lori as a playable character. It was going to be released in 1999 for the PC, across Europe. However, the publisher, Project 2, went bankrupt before the release date. It was eventually released in Poland in 2000. A limited European release followed shortly after. This version is based on the engine of The Secret Files.

Support

After the end of the official support with version 1.24, fans took up later the support and produced an unofficial patch which fixes many of its features.

Reception

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 received mixed to good reviews. On MobyGames, the Windows version holds an aggregated metascore of 77 of 100. MacAddict's reviewer John Lee praised its fluent gameplay, but criticised the game for not adding anything new to the genre, which he considered "old fashioned". Trevor Covert described the gameplay as "addicting" and praised the graphics.

External links

• JazzJackrabbit.com archived, a list of archived versions of the official website
• Jazz Jackrabbit 2 at MobyGames