| Introduction:
For those of you who are familiar with the Wonderboy series
of games you should have a pretty good idea of what to
expect with Super Adventure Island II. Only this time around
Hudson decided to throw us a curve ball and added an RPG
style quest to the game. I must admit that at first when I
read that this game would be an RPG-type game I was very
hesitant to purchase it. Not because I don't like RPGs, I
love them, but because I had too often seen standard
side-scrollers turned into half-hearted RPGs that left me
with a bad taste in my mouth. Luckily though this game
retains most of the side-scrolling running and jumping that
the Wonderboy series is best known for with just enough RPG
elements in the game to make it that much more interesting.
Very well done I must say. You once again play the part of
Master Higgins and this time not only has your wife been
kidnapped but now you have lost your memory. So your job is
to regain your memory, rescue your wife, and uncover the
secrets of the islands.
Graphics [9.5/10]:
The graphics in this game are easily the best ever seen in
the Wonderboy series of games. Hudson really oudid
themselves with this game as the graphics are not only
colorful and detailed, but also extremely sharp looking. And
some of the bosses in the game are absolutely amazing
looking.
Music and Sound [8/10]:
I must say I have never been terribly fond of the music in
most of the previous Wonderboy games but hudson really
stepped it up notch in this game. It was easily the pleasant
surprise of the game for me. I did think some of the sound
fx could have used a little work but nothing worth haggling
over. Overall a nice job in the sound department.
Gameplay [8.5/10]:
Gameplay has always been well done in the Wonderboy games
and Super Adventure Island II is no different. Very good
control and a lot of weapon and magic options really made
this game even more playable than the previous ones. I
especially liked the way you had to have specific weapons to
travel through each level.
Challenge and Replay [8/10]:
There is plenty of challenge to keep you busy for quite some
time. This game makes previous Wonderboy games look like a
cake walk. As for replay value, it has potential but I
didn't find myself just aching to play it after I finished
the game so I had to knock it down to an 8. A really good
game though that shouldn't be missed.
Conclusion/Overall [8.5/10]:
Overall this is my favorite of all the Wonderboy games I
have ever played. It mixed all the great characteristics of
the Wonderboy games and threw in just enough RPG-style
elements in to make it that much more interesting. I
definately reccomend this game to everyone even those who
are not too crazy about RPGs. Very well done.
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