Ape Academy 2
| Ape Academy 2 | |
|---|---|
 European box art | |
| Developer(s) | Shift Alvion[a] |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Series | Ape Escape |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation Portable |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Party |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Ape Academy 2, also known as Piposaru Academia 2: Aiai Sarugē Janken Battle![b] in Japan, is a party video game developed by Shift and Alvion and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable. It is the sequel to Ape Escape Academy.
Similar to its predecessor, Ape Academy 2 is a collection of mini-games which can either be played in single player or multiplayer mode. Most of the mini-games borrow from elements of Ape Escape 3.
The original PlayStation Portable version of the game was released in Japan, Europe and Australia, but not North America. It was later re-released worldwide as a PSP classic for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on March 21, 2023, marking the first time the game comes out in North American territories.
Plot
[edit]The primary antagonist, Specter, introduces a new card game which becomes very popular among humans and pipo monkeys alike. Using this card game, he dominates the world through culture manipulation, concurrently introducing a card battle contest for monkeys to complete in. The prize for winning the contest is the rare "Platinum Specter" trading card and a year's supply of bananas.
Gameplay
[edit]The singleplayer mode is radically different from previous games in the series, most resembling a trading card game. The player travels to various levels, in the form of islands, to compete against other monkeys in an assortment of minigames. After a set number of victories, the player can then compete against a boss character. This cycle is repeated for each island visited, in increasing difficulty. Occasionally, the player will encounter unexpected battles. These challenges cannot be declined. The objective of the game is to collect cards and coins, eventually to the point that the player can attempt to defeat the antagonist and win. There is also a multiplayer component which includes a "monkey-shield" that ensures the second player cannot see the player 1 cards. This mode requires a second PSP and game cartridge.[2]
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 66/100[2] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 4Players | 68%[3] |
| Famitsu | 28/40[4] |
| Gamekult | 4/10[5] |
| GamesMaster | 64%[6] |
| GamesTM | 7/10[7] |
| Jeuxvideo.com | 14/20[8] |
| PlayStation Official Magazine – UK | 8/10[9] |
| Play | 52%[10] |
| PSM3 | 71%[11] |
Ape Academy 2 received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2] GamesMaster described it as "A real mixed bag, but if you really like monkeys and minigames, you might enjoy it."[6] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one six, one eight, one six, and one eight for a total of 28 out of 40.[4]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "JAPANスタジオ作品一覧 2005年～2003年" [List of Japan Studio works 2005–2003] (in Japanese). Sony Interactive Entertainment. 2021. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Ape Escape Academy 2 (PSP: 2006): Reviews". Metacritic. CNET. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved April 12, 2010.
- ^ Kautz, Paul (October 20, 2006). "Test: Ape Academy 2". 4Players (in German). 4Players GmbH. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ a b "Collection of every PSP-game reviewed in Famitsu". NeoGAF. NeoGaf LLC. August 27, 2006. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ Cusseau, Thomas (October 4, 2006). "Test : Ape Academy 2 : la bonne blague". Gamekult (in French). TF1 Group. Archived from the original on May 26, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ a b "Review: Ape Academy". GamesMaster. Future plc. November 2006. p. 72.
- ^ "Review: Ape Academy 2". GamesTM. Future plc. November 2006. p. 121.
- ^ Romendil (October 2, 2006). "Test: Ape Academy 2". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ "Ape Academy 2". Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine. No. 78. Future plc. November 2006. p. 94.
- ^ "Review: Ape Academy 2". Play UK. No. 145. Imagine Publishing. November 2006. p. 94.
- ^ "Review: Ape Academy 2". PSM3. Future plc. October 2006. p. 74.