Skullmonkeys
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| Skullmonkeys | |
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| Developer(s) | The Neverhood, Inc. |
| Publisher(s) | DreamWorks Interactive |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release date(s) | 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T (Teen) |
| Media | CD-ROM |
Skullmonkeys (released in Japan as Klaymen Klaymen 2) is the video game sequel to The Neverhood, created by animator Doug TenNapel. Rather than being a PC adventure game like its predecessor, it is a platform game for the PlayStation. The setting of it came from a place described in The Neverhood Hall of Records in the Neverhood by one of the other god-like beings (like Hoborg) created by Quater. The game's popularity, like The Neverhood, has long outlasted its availability in computer stores. As of 2007, the Internet is still full of very active 'fan websites' devoted to both games, and the soundtrack CD by Terry Scott Taylor, Imaginarium: Songs from the Neverhood, continues to sell well.
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[edit] Storyline
The evil Klogg was banished from The Neverhood at the end of the first game, but has now ended up on a planet ruled by scary-but-stupid creatures known as Skullmonkeys. Klogg becomes their leader and sets off to rule the planet, while Klaymen is brought onto the scene to stop him. In the single-player platform game you control Klaymen, a resident of the Neverhood who is kidnapped in order to prevent the destruction of the Neverhood. Your character can jump, duck, look up, and grab a wide range of items such as a halo (allowing him to withstand more than one hit) and a wide range of quirky and crude projectile weapons. Aside from the assortment of weapons, you can destroy many enemies and bosses by jumping on them, and there are several secret levels (set to 1970s easy-listening music) where you can collect bonus points and extra lives. The levels are in a sidescrolling format, unlike the point and click format of The Neverhood.
Throughout each of the levels, you can collect clay balls to earn points and an extra life and several bosses are stationed throughout the game to be defeated. The game was noted for being hard to complete[1], but the game's password feature keeps things from being unreasonably difficult.
[edit] Levels
- Skullmonkey Gate (Bonus)
- Science Center
- Monkey Shrines
- Amazing Drivy Finn (Bonus)
- Shriney Guard (Boss)
- Hard Boiler
- Sno
- SkullMonkeys Brand HotDogs
- Joe-Head-Joe (Boss)
- Elevated Structure of Terror
- Ynt Death Garden
- Ynt Weeds
- Ynt Mines
- Ynt Eggs
- Glenn Yntis (Boss)
- Monk Rushmore
- 1970s (Bonus)
- Soar Head
- Shards
- Castle de Los Muertos
- Monkey Mage (Boss)
- Incredible Drivy Runn
- Worm Graveyard
- Klogg (Boss)
- Evil Engine No. 9
[edit] Enemies and bosses
- Clay Keeper
- Loud Mouths
- Mental Monkey
- Robot Hover Monkey
- Tempest Pulsating Monkey
- Head Shooter Monkey
- Jumpy the Gorilla
- Barking Bird
- Triple Laser Butt Bouncer Monkey
- Egg-Beater
- JX1137 Test Pilot
- El Barfo
- Screaming Inferno
- Castle Trooper
- Super Bomber Monk
- Flappers
- Sno-Blo
- Pop-Corn Skulls
- Pipe Cleaners
- Fork Shooter Monkey
- Worker Ynt
- Flying Ynt Centurion
- Swarm-o-Ynts
- Evil Engine Royal Guard
- Water Mines
- Shriney Guard
- Joe-Head-Joe
- Glenn Yntis
- Monkey Mage
- Klogg / Kloggmonkey
- Evil Engine #9
[edit] Characters only in the videos
- Dark Monkey
- HuntMonkey
- Assistant of the HuntMonkey
- Victoid
- Hungry Blue Ynt Centurion
- Slappy the Hamster
- Singing Monkey
[edit] Power-ups
- Clay ball – Klaymen gets a bonus life by collecting a hundred clay balls.
- Ma Bird – Klaymen can activate these checkpoints by jumping on them.
- Bullet – Klaymen shoots enemies with these.
- Halos – These protect Klaymen from being hit once.
- Present ball – Contains any items once you bounce on it;
- Head of Klaymen – Extra life;
- Phart head – Klaymen can create a green gas clone of himself.
- Phoenix hand – These homing missiles destroy enemies.
- Slappy the hamster – These power-ups act as rings that defend Klaymen from attacks.
- Glidey bird – Glidey can help Klaymen fall more slowly.
- Universe enema – Klaymen shouts "Univerrrrse enemaaaaaaa!" as he unleashes energy that nukes all on-screen enemies.
- Super Willie – These Willies grab items that Klaymen can't reach.
- 1970s Icon – Klaymen can collect three of these in order to go to the 1970s level.
- Swirly Q – Klaymen must collect three of these in order to enter a bonus level.
[edit] Reception
The game was widely praised for its graphics, music, sound, and humor. Many video game websites panned it for its difficulty and technical problems which affected its playability, though some video game critics compared the game favorably to other successful platform games such as Earthworm Jim or the number of successful platform games produced by Virgin Software.
[edit] References
- ^ Dulin, Ron. "What is most frustrating about Skullmonkeys is that it just wears you down after a while." GameSpot, Jan. 31, 1998. Accessed February 22, 2008.
[edit] External links
- Skullmonkeys at MobyGames
- Skullmonkeys at the Internet Movie Database
- All About the NeverhoOd
- The Neverhood TV
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