Skullmonkeys
| Skullmonkeys | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | The Neverhood, Inc. |
| Publisher(s) | DreamWorks Interactive |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release | 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Skullmonkeys (released in Japan as Klaymen Klaymen 2) is the sequel to the video game, 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.
Plot
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 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.
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.
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.