Simon's Sequel (Simon the Sorcerer 2 (PC))

Member Name: scuzz

Product:	Simon the Sorcerer 2 (PC)
Date:	12/06/04 (121 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: hours of play

Disadvantages: annoying voices/music

All good adventure games seem to have a sequel these days, and Simon the Sorcerer is no exception. Unfortunately as it often happens, I didn't enjoy this game as much.


====About the Game====

As I've already said, this is an adventure game. For anyone who hasn't played the first one, Simon is a young boy who gets sucked into another dimension to help a wizard. The plot of this game is much the same. Simon's arch enemy Zordid, has come back to life and must be defeated again. As with most adventure game, you solve puzzles throughout the story.

====Game Play====

As expected, this has hours of play in it. Though it's not officially divided into parts, there are very obvious sections.

I'm currently replaying this game and I've been at it for well over 8 hours! So you can imagine how long I was playing for the first time round!

====Graphics====

These are much the same as the first game. Simon has changed his appearance a bit by changing the colour of his wizard coat and he's now grown a ponytail.

I can't lie and say they're fantastic quality graphics because they really aren't. Admittedly there are plenty worse around, but this game looks on par with some of the old Amiga classic games.

There is a lot of detail in the backgrounds but unfortunately, the lip sync is terrible! It reminds me of the old Monkey Islands games!

====Sound====

The music in this is awful. Thankfully, this can easily be solved by hitting M. The sound effects are quite good and not irritating like they are in some games.

The characters in this game all talk. Unfortunately, Chris Barrie doesn?t voice Simon this time and that for me spoiled the game a bit.

Generally, the voices aren't bad. There are a few irritating ones but you can't have everything can you?!

====Dialog====

I thought I would bring this sectio
n into this review as the speech in this game is of a very different nature to the first game. Whist the original game did verge on crude, it did it in a subtle way.

This game features an older sex crazed Simon and he comes out with a few comments you wouldn't want younger children to hear. There's also a more frequent use of milder swear words, which again you may not want younger children to hear. When I say mild I do mean mild like b***er and so on, but still some people do take offence to this.

Just thought I'd warn you!

====Controls====

As expected, this game is controlled by the mouse. To make Simon move, you just left click on the area.

The control panel is different to most. Whereas the standard panel has words such as "pick up", "look at" etc, this one has pictures. This can be a little tricky to get the hang of at first, but once you know it then there are no problems.

Unlike the first game, you don't have a map you can access from your itinerary, which enables you to get around the game quickly. Instead, you must leave the screen your on to access a birds eye view of the area. From here, you can choose where to go.

You can see what your carrying in the control panel. This section is always on view and it's easy to scroll up and down by using the arrows.

====Puzzles====

As with most games, they vary from very easy to pull your hair out hard. All of them are achievable but if you get completely stuck, there are walkthroughs available on the web - not that I've used them! ;)

For those of you who like to be able to select an easy option before attempting the full puzzles, I'm sorry to tell you that there isn't one available on this game.

====Saving/Dieing===

I don't think I'm really spoiling anything by saying you can't die as in most adventure games you can't.

There is a sav
e game option, which is accessed through the postcard in your itinerary. This is also used to load previous games and to quit the game.

====What Does It Run On?====

I'm not very up on the technical side, but I've had it working on both Windows 2000 and XP. As far as I know you don't need anything special to run it, but you do need a sound card.

====Who's It For?====

I would say teens and up really owing to the sexual references and mild use of language. Also the puzzles would be a bit to hard for younger children.

====Over All====

Whilst I did enjoy this game, I was disappointed by some aspects as I've described. If you like adventure games then I would recommend it for you to try, but just don't expect too much from it.

I also found the ending a bit of a let down, but the hours of play make up for that.

You also won't be able to play the game for a while as most of the solutions to the puzzles stay in your head for ages.

====Cost====

I picked this up in GAME in a three for £10 offer, so value wise it's excellent.

Happy playing

Summary: