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Tuesday 15 January, 2008
Summary:
In Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, Donkey Kong is captured by Captain K. Rool, and Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong must play through the levels to try and save Donkey Kong. You can choose which character to play and switch at any time. If you lose one character (either Diddy or Dixie) to an enemy, the other one picks back up and continues alone until they find the other character in a barrel along the way. The first few levels take place on a pirate ship, and the obstacles are K. Rool's crew on the ship. You must try to collect as many bananas as possible through each level because you earn an extra life for every 100 you collect.
Personal Gameplay Experience:
My emotional state changed a few times while playing the game. I started out feeling excited about playing the game because I had not played in so long. After playing for a few minutes, I already started to get sucked into the game, almost in a catatonic state. That went on for about the first four levels or so. Then once the levels started to become increasingly difficult, more focus was required. After getting stuck at a certain part in one of the levels, I started to get a little frustrated. It took me quite a few tries to get through that particular level, but once I finally got past that part, I felt like I had accomplished something, and the frustration transformed back into excitement.
Both of the characters Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong are likable in their own way; they specialize in different areas: Dixie can be in the air a lot longer when jumping because she uses her hair as a propeller, but Diddy moves quicker and is just easier to control in general, especially while airborne.
The story line is nothing special. It is one that has been done a million times. Someone gets captured, and it is your mission to go save them. However, the game itself is an incredibly well crafted platform game and really fun to play.
Game Design Commentary:
The levels of the game very in respect to the setting, but the objectives are always the same. The game creates conflict by the use of the enemies that act as obstacles in each level. As the levels progress, the enemy's become increasingly more difficult to get past. Some of the enemies even throw objects such as cannonballs and hooks at you. Also, at the end of each area (4-5 levels), there is a "boss" that you need to defeat. The game keeps the player interested by creating a fun environment and having fast-paced gameplay that keeps you wanting to continue.
The tone of the game world is fast paced, and almost panicked at times, but the bonus levels are a little bit different. In those, the music changes to more upbeat, happy songs. In the normal levels, the music creates that atmosphere of quicker and more focused gameplay.
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