Skullmonkeys
| Skullmonkeys | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | The Neverhood, Inc. |
| Publisher(s) | DreamWorks Interactive |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release | 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Skullmonkeys 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 Sony 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.
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 into 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 (withstand more than one hit) and a wide range of quirky and crude projective 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[citation needed], but the game's password feature keeps things from being unreasonably difficult.
Levels
- Skullmonkey Gate (Bonus)
- Science Center
- Monkey Shrines
- Amazing Drivy Finn (Bonus)
- Shriney Guard
- Hard Boiler
- Sno
- SkullMonkeys Hot Dogs
- Joe-Head-Joe
- Elevated Structure of Terror
- Ynt Death Gardens
- Ynt Needs
- Ynt Mines
- Ynt Eggs
- Glenn Yntis
- Monk Rushmore
- 1970s (Bonus)
- Soar Head
- Shards
- Castle de Los Muertos
- Monkey Mage
- Incredible Drivy Runn
- Worm Graveyard
- Klogg
- Evil Engine No. 9
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
Characters only in the Videos
- Dark Monkey
- HuntMonkey
- Assistant of the HuntMonkey
- Victoid
- Hungry Blue Ynt Centurion
- Slappy the Hamster
- Singing Monkey
Objects, Power-ups and Weapons
- Clay Balls – Collect 100 to earn a free life
- Ma Bird – Act as checkpoints to save your spot in the level
- Bullets – Shoot these towards enemies
- Halos – Protection from being hit once
- Present Ball – Contains any items once you bounce on it
- Klaymen's Head – Extra life
- Phart Heads – Create a green gaseous clone of yourself
- Phoenix Hands – Act as missiles to home towards enemies
- Slappy the Hamster – Act as a ring of defense to destroy enemies
- Glidey Bird – Act as a glider to float safely to the ground
- Universal Enemas – Unleash ultimate energy to nuke all of the enemies
- Super Willies – Grabs items that are hard to reach all-around onscreen
- 1970s Icon – Collect three of these to enter the hidden level, the 1970s
- Swirly Qs – Collect three of these to enter a bonus level
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.