From the Manufacturer TOMBA 2: THE EVIL SWINE RETURN delivers a true sequel; it introduces a new moother learning curve taht makes this the perfect game for kids 12 and under. With two paths to follow; young gamers will be taken on a whimsical journey without a hitch; and more complicated sub-quests will challenge the most experienced gamers. Review After its predecessor sold surprisingly well, the sequel to Whoopee Camp's offbeat adventure platformer, Tomba, has finally arrived. Tomba 2 is pretty much the same game as before, this time sporting more quests and a spiffy new 3D engine. Fans of the first game are sure to be pleased with Tomba 2, but those who didn't care for the original will probably feel the same way about this title. The evil pigs from the first Tomba game are back, and only Tomba, that pig-humping wild man, can stop them. To make matters worse, the evil pigs have kidnapped Tomba's "childhood friend," Tabby, and imprisoned her. To find the grass-skirted tart, Tomba will once again have to brave a panoply of puzzles, fight through many fetch quests, and bag the evil pigs. All of Tomba's old friends, including Charles the monkey and Yan of the Hidden Village, and some new ones, including a new winged interpreter, Zippo, have followed him to this new island to help and hinder him Tomba 2, like the prequel, is an unusual hybrid of the adventure and platform genres. While there's plenty of swinging, pig humping, and mace hurling to be done, there are also 137 small quests to complete as well. While moving around the gameworld, Tomba can talk to people and use items so he can complete a wide variety of unusual tasks. While the perspective may be less 2D in appearance, the game still controls in a largely 2D fashion similar to that of the first game. Tomba moves along predetermined paths and is prompted to switch to new paths where additional paths intersect with his current one. For the most part the camera and perspective are excellent and don't stand in the way of gameplay, but there are a few frustrating areas in which you will be required to perform jumps that are made more difficult by the perspective. Besides this difference, Tomba's gameplay is still largely the same - Tomba can find a variety of weapons to help him deal with enemies, he can jump and wrestle pigs, and he can use items from the sub screen. You can now find ability-altering suits - a cooler variation of the swappable pants of the first game - to help Tomba progress through the game. The flying squirrel suit will let Tomba glide long distances and the pig suit will let Tomba talk to friendly pigs, for example. Additionally, Whoopee Camp has made it easier for Tomba to move around the vast gameworld to complete the various quests that stand before him. Tomba 2 does have a few problems, but they're relatively minor. While you should be able to get through the game without too much trouble, a number of the game's less necessary puzzles are downright difficult. However, many times the sheer number of little quests you are bound to run into will make the game feel a little overwhelming, even with the help of the adventure journal. Also of some annoyance is the nature of the pig bosses. Like the disappointing boss battles of the original game, all you have to do is locate one of the mystical bags and throw the pig in the bag. These battles wouldn't be so bad if the boss pacing was a little more regular, but many of you will probably end up defeating all of the bosses during the back half of the game, making the battles a little repetitive and tedious. Tomba 2 is easily one of the PlayStation's best-looking games. The crisp, colorful 3D world is alive with detail and animation, making the game feel like a 3D animated cartoon. The camera pans about smoothly and there are very few signs of the usual 3D issues found in games of this type. Tomba 2's music has been reworked from the Japanese release and retains the reggae-ish timbre of the original title's music, but for the most part it isn't as repetitive or potentially annoying as the original's music. Additionally, Sony's surprisingly competent voice-overs help bring the game's wacky world and characters to life, something disappointingly absent from the first game's US release. For the most part, the localization is clean and complete, something Sony should be commended for. Tomba 2 may be a repackaging of the original game, but it's a slick and refined one at that. Fans of the original game are in for a treat, but not enough has changed to make the game attractive to those who didn't click with the original. --Peter Bartholow --Copyright ©1998 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. -- GameSpot Review
S**S
A Part 3 is long overdue Sony...
These were the days... when graphics and online shooters weren't the main concern of the casual or hardcore gamer. Tomba! 2 is a gem of a game which involves elements of 3-D AND 2-D levels and platforming, with some slight RPG and adventure in it as well. You don't need the first game to enjoy this sequel, but if you have it, lucky you. The characters all speak aloud in classic storytelling dialogue, keep in mind some games to this day lack voice acting forcing you to read, with some games having small font, Let alone barely having DECENT voice acting. You'll backtrack to unlock chests and reach for other goodies you couldn't get previously in the earlier stages of the game thanks to gifts and items you receive along the way for helping those in need out. Almost reminds you of mario 3 with all the different suits and gadgets, Tombi gets some cool weapons and tools of his own. Puzzles and challenge await along with nice graphics for this games time, beautiful colors and worlds such as islands, snow, underground and more. Get this and you will not be disappointed...he's the unofficial Sony mascot in my book. Then again, im also waiting for Shenmue 3... hope this helps amazonians.
K**I
Great game, but some of the items rewarded through ...
Great game, but some of the items rewarded through quests latter in the game are impracticable. Otherwise, still fun, with lots of side quests, and ways to traverse all areas.
K**.
Tomba 2 Now Affordable!
I wanted this game and its predecessor since their inceptions but because their outlandishly priced $300+(new) elsewhere I came to the conclusion that I'll have to settle with playing my demos of these two good games. Now phenomenally great seller,' AMAZING COLLECTIBLE" (Brooklyn's finest)is selling Tomba 2 under $200 New with security seal intact get it folks because it's a deal for $139+!
S**E
Stick to the first!
I've been playing Tomba since it came out and loved the story, the characters, the game play, graphics, animations, side games, and everything. In my mind, that game is one of the best (if not the sole best) platform games created. One could play that game over and over again and still have different things to do. I heard raving reviews about the second game that rivalled the first, and loving the first game I gave the sequel a try. Much to my dismay, the graphics in the game are blurry, blocky, and distracting. The highly-rated speaking voices of the characters and the music are as annoying and distracting as well. The "events" are ambiguous and confusing and random, and it seems like the direction of the gameplay has been child-proofed (someone tells you where to go, you go there on a set path). The areas in the game aren't as imaginative and don't have as much texture and depth as the first game. The most aggrivating feature of this game is that Tomba is now, for some reason, ridiculously tough to control! There's a lag between controller and motion, and his movements are rigid and sticky. I thought the "bird-suit" would be something like the "funky parasol" from the first game, an item that when equipped would help Tomba glide gracefully to the ground- but it does the opposite! Tomba glides for a second (rigidly and tweakishly, of course), then proceeds to fall quickly suddenly! This game is an eyesore and for me much more of an annoyance to have to play than the laid-back and visually-stunning pleasure the first Tomba game was. I'm definitely getting rid of this game as soon as I can!
M**Y
Classic rare PlayStation title
This game is amazing! A classic rare gem for the original PlayStation. Great adventure/ platforming game. Loved the item collection to complete tasks and puzzles. Well worth spending the extra money to play the sequel to the first game.
E**.
Awesome seller
Amazing I'm 100% satisfied accurate and even made sure I was ok with item before shipping out sent pictures and everything will buy from again
B**N
Four Stars
I need tomba 2 but I'm not will too pay a crazy price for it
A**R
It was horrible. I got it and it had a huge ...
It was horrible. I got it and it had a huge scratch so it wouldn't even play past the first five minutes of the game. I'm annoyed and frustrated. This is a game from my childhood and I expected better.
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
1 day ago
