Publisher: Hello Games

Developer: Hello Games

Release Date: 6/24/2013

Also Available On

Lights, Camera, Action! The three cliche words that everyone knows from childhood. You will hear these three words over and over again as you restart level after level to itch that completionist OCD. Joe Danger is full of hidden items, trial runs, and fast-paced and tense levels. Joe Danger also has a fun-level editor, but the impatient may not find much in this mode. There are extra deleted scenes for PC users, as well as improved graphics.

First, I have to say, I hate Joe. He’s an ugly, unlikeable character, and I hated playing as him every second I was in this game. With that said, the game itself is a lot of fun and can be really addictive. As you fly through the levels, you get to use various vehicles. Bicycles, quads, dirt bikes, jetpacks, jet skis, snowmobiles, skis—you name it. They all pretty much feel the same, with just varying degrees of speed, but the jetpack is a lot of fun. As you’re speeding around the levels, you can collect stars, clocks for time trials, letters that spell out DANGER, bananas, hit certain objects, do simple tricks, jump and duck, and an assortment of other little moves. These all add up to exciting and tense levels, but the game doesn’t come without its problems.

Some levels are extremely difficult, while others are way too easy; in fact, most are really easy, but finding every object in the level can sometimes be nearly impossible. If you don’t get every item in every level, you can blow through all six episodes and all the deleted scenes in just a few short hours. The game is light on content. I also didn’t like that some levels can’t be unlocked unless you do other things in the game, like build a level. I’m not a level-builder; I don’t have the patience or time for that, and many other people are the same way. Why lock out content and force me to use a mode I may not be interested in? I also felt the trick system was too simple and just got in the way. I’m trying to duck, jump, dive, and maneuver my way around the level; I honestly don’t need to be bogged down with stupid tricks. I also felt many levels repeated way too often; no manner of rearrangement helped.

These are minor issues, but by the end of the game, you end up getting bored of it. All the tricks and fun run out about 3/4 through, and you end up moving on to the next game. Joe Danger himself may be an unlikable character, but the game is worth every penny for a couple of days’ enjoyment. People who are patient enough for the level editor will find even more value. The graphics in Joe Danger are actually pretty nice, and the PC effects look really good. You don’t need the most powerful rig out there to run it, but the additions are fine.

Overall, Joe Danger 2 is a fun motorcycle physics game and is perfect for people who think trials are too hard. There is enough content to justify the price, and there are plenty of hidden items to find for the completionist. The level editor is just icing on the cake. If the game wasn’t so easy, had too many unbalanced levels, and didn’t have too much repeated content, it could be so much more. The trick system feels like it gets in the way, and Joe Danger himself is a horrible character. Despite all that, this is a great game to relax with.

Reviewed On

Xbox 360 Controller for Windows