Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Preview

Rather than follow a single platforming narrative, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa mixes platforming elements with various mini-games. These mini-games are quite different from each other, but they are all fairly simple to play. The game’s mission structure usually will have you performing a few platforming segments with set goals and then following them up with a mini-game or two.

The build that GameZone had received of the game showcased a couple of missions featuring the Penguin characters. In a level called Penguin Caper, you take the gang of penguins and infiltrate a human base camp, stealing a variety of their items and supplies through a sneaking mini-game. Once you’ve stolen enough items, you then have to defend your haul from the humans, shooting candy at them through a turret-like mini-game and later heaving cans of soda to keep them at bay while you install tires on a jeep for the next section.

After the Penguin Caper mission, the Convoy Chase began, where you have to chase down a truck convoy and crash into them a certain number of times. This isn’t terribly difficult, as the trucks go slow enough that catching them isn’t a problem, even for the youngest gamers.

There are also a good number of mini-games that you can access through the main menu. While they pop up at various points within the main game, you can go to the Africa Arcade section of the menu and play them when you want. The Hot Durian game basically works as Hot Potato, where you must pass a durian around in a ground of lions before it explodes and puts you out of the game.

Another game is a take on musical chairs, allowing you to speed up or slow down your pace, positioning yourself in front of a chair so you’ll have a place to sit when the music stops. The Africa Arcade section allows you to play with up to three other people, or shift the difficulty level up when playing by yourself.

Graphically, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa looks very good, with well-animated character models and vibrant environments. There is even some cool depth of field effects, making for an aesthetic that almost rivals the film’s quality. The voice work sounds pretty good, although not from the original film actors.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa will undoubtedly appeal to the younger set and fans of the movie, with easy to learn gameplay and fun mini-games. Look for it next month.