On the one hand, this second episode of Command Keen forwards the franchise by adding in new ideas and adding new gameplay influences like the use puzzly mechanics.
On the other hand, this game is hard beyond enjoyment.
The sluggish controls and physics of this first Commander Keen trilogy are forced to lift heavier than they can manage as the dangers of this second episode are fiercer than the first. The Vorticon Elites and Guard Robots are incredibly dangerous and dealing with them requires ample strategy and foresight. Glad I got save states working on DOSBox.
The difficulty was enough to make me enjoy this game less than the first but it does have some things going for it. The usage of puzzly elements– like using the scrubs as platforms and even directing them to places by removing obstacles– adds a bit of thought to the adventure. I like how the optional levels serve as resupply levels with their abundant ammo stores.
Don't know how things will escalate in the third Keen game but hopefully they dial back the difficulty.
On the other hand, this game is hard beyond enjoyment.
The sluggish controls and physics of this first Commander Keen trilogy are forced to lift heavier than they can manage as the dangers of this second episode are fiercer than the first. The Vorticon Elites and Guard Robots are incredibly dangerous and dealing with them requires ample strategy and foresight. Glad I got save states working on DOSBox.
The difficulty was enough to make me enjoy this game less than the first but it does have some things going for it. The usage of puzzly elements– like using the scrubs as platforms and even directing them to places by removing obstacles– adds a bit of thought to the adventure. I like how the optional levels serve as resupply levels with their abundant ammo stores.
Don't know how things will escalate in the third Keen game but hopefully they dial back the difficulty.