Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Online

Okay, this is part of some kind of review-exchange and I’m really happy to review ‘Extraterrestrials’. It’s really unique and I’m glad Sacrush included a drawing of the layout. This points out again why this level is so unique. Anyway, let’s start reviewing!

First of all, the bases are actually quite close to each other. However, trigger scenery avoids a really fast connection. Instead, there’s a copter above the pits which leads to the Seeker PU. It might seem a bit campy, but I’m sure most people appreciate a save spot in CTF, and it’s actually quite hard to get with the pits. The other two PU’s on top of it’s wings, a Bouncer at the blue side and a Toaster at the red side, are placed where you would expect them. This level has 3 carrots, with two of them being +1’s. The Full NRG is at the very top of this level, only accessible by taking a copter to it. This is also the only part where you can find Gun 9, which could be really helpful in this level. Nice thinking, making valuable ammo hard to get. Gun 9 can also be used to hit carrot campers. Taking the +1’s makes you fall down, but it isn’t hard to get back to the middle of the level. At least it makes them non-campy.

When I used to think about ‘Extraterrestrials’ my first thought always was: “Oh right, it’s that level with narrow passages”. But now I see it really isn’t that cramped. The only narrow places are the vertical passages and you really don’t need much space there. Also, the springs are at exactly the right heights, so you won’t bump into walls all the time. The horizontal area’s are more open, so it’s actually really balanced. You might not expect it, but since the flow is really good ‘Extraterrestrials’ is actually quite fast-paced. Nice paradox, right?

About the eyecandy, it isn’t as appealing to me as other EC I saw in this set, but it’s definitely good. You can see Sacrush put a lot of time in doing the EC, since it’s really detailed. Also, Sacrush didn’t flip the level but built both halves separately, compliments for that, since this layout is quite complicated. The concept of a creature-layout is still great, though, it really sets this level apart from others (I’m not sure if you can call this EC, but oh well..). Also, the moving background really looks good and the fade fits the level.

Now a thing I don’t like. The middle part of this level seems a bit vulnerable for camping, since a lot of paths end here: the two tubes from the outside-legs and the one way above the Seeker PU. And it’s obviously the connection between the creature’s upper and lower half. This means it’s possible to trap people in the lower half of the level, since both the Full NRG and the +1 carrots are in the upper half. Since the warp targets are also close to this area spamming seekers might be enough to cover the whole area (I didn’t test this though, but it really seems possible).

So should you download this level? Yes. Why? Well, it looks good, the atmosphere is quite okay and simply because this layout is so unique and it really sets it apart from other levels. Also, I bet this will play well, but I wouldn’t play huge games in it, 2vs2’s or maybe 3vs3’s. I think it won’t play particularly well in duels, either, but as I said, it should be fun in small teamgames!