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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Make the Grade
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
 GAMES: 
At the beginning of this new adventure, we find Joe and his girlfriend, Silvia, ready to face even tougher enemies and greater challenges. This time around, not only will gamers be able to play as Joe, but as Silvia right off the bat as well. In addition to being equipped with her pompoms, Silvia will be packing some heat as she wields a projectile weapon to help defeat the encroaching evil that lurks in the shadows. Keeping to the stylized yet richly detailed visuals, Viewtiful Joe 2 stays true to its masterfully crafted roots and delivers an even more brilliant and polished videogame. New cinematic visual effect (VFX) powers, such as Replay which allows gamers to repeat a part of the action for heroic results, have been implemented to help solve ingenious puzzles, defeat unique yet relentless enemies and add variety to gameplay: Spanning across an increased number of stages and environments including a jungle, snowy mountains and outer space, Viewtiful Joe 2 incorporates more impressive quasi 2D/3D action with over 40 new types of adversaries to obliterate. The not-so-average-Joe will once again break the gaming mold and deliver an experience unlike any other with his polished martial arts attacks, high-flying acrobatics, and compelling storyline. [Capcom]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
Play Magazine
Among the myriad of reasons why I loved this game more every second I played it...is the way the puzzles and especially the visual presentation evolve. [Dec 2004, p.70]
92
Just RPG
A solid game.
 91
Cinescape
What does change up quite a bit is the amount and complexity of the puzzles in the game. It's actually pretty refreshing to have so many situations that require something besides combat.
90
TotalPlayStation
Genuinely tough puzzles mixed with constant and varied challenges from enemies and bosses alike make this of the best mixes of old-school action and progressive gameplay themes ever seen in games.
90
Game Informer
Viewtiful Joe 2 rejuvinates my obsession, but it doesn't take it to the next level. The changes to gameplay are miniscule at best, and I wouldn't necessarily say I'm fond of them. [Dec 2004, p.160]
90
GameZone
An awesome game that every player should have in their collection. It is a homage to older games that proves that 2D side-scrolling games are a blast to play.
90
PSM Magazine
A worthy sequel to one of the better games of the last year. It's simply awesome. [Jan 2005, p.68]
90
IGN
The introduction of Joe's girlfriend, Sylvia, is a great addition that just adds depth to an already deep and thoroughly satisfying game experience...A super stylish, extremely challenging and riveting time in Movie Land.
90
eToychest
With all of the additions Viewtiful Joe 2 introduces, the game is still very similar to the first game, right down to a final showdown prefixed with having to fight all of the previously defeated bosses. Not that I mind terribly, as this is a functional formula that proves it still can deliver in spades.
90
GamePro
Expectations for its follow-up were lofty, and though Viewtiful Joe 2 is a total blast, the new features it introduces don't stack up against its reliance on rehashed ideas enough to keep you from feeling you've tread this path before.
90
AceGamez
Viewtiful Joe 2 is as big a triumph as the original, resisting the urge to change a winning formula but building on it with even cooler settings, funnier bosses, more variety in the gameplay and a cool new way to manipulate time.
87
TotalGames.net
In fact other than the addition of Silvia, Viewtiful Joe 2 is remarkably similar to the original - the majority of flaws included. But when the game still feels fresher than the crisp clean smell of a bath towel washed in Daz Ultra we have no reason to feel aggrieved.
86
GameSpot
A few additions to an already proven formula make Viewtiful Joe 2 another great and quirky action game.
85
Gaming Target
It presents a great challenge and a unique, if cheesy, style that has appeal, and if it does appeal to you, you’ll love it.
85
Pelit (Finland)
An entertaining action flick with nice special effects and some amazingly innovative puzzles. Not recommended for those who do not like huge level bosses and playing the same episodes again and again. [Mar. 05]
83
Gaming Age
Graphics and gameplay probably don't get much better in a 2D game than they are in Viewtiful Joe2. The faint of heart might long for a few more difficulty options, as the action can get hairy in a hurry. But this is still a fun, challenging game that's extremely easy on the eyes.
83
Game Revolution
The inclusion of Sylvia doesn't really add much to the sequel. But this kind of thing doesn't come along very often, so embrace Japan's love of nonsense and make this Joe a real American superhero.
82
Electronic Gaming Monthly
All it really offers over the first game is a second character and a new skill or two - yet it never feels tired or rehashed. [Holiday 2004, p.101]
80
Edge Magazine
Levels feel more segmented and less regimented, and the better for it. There’s no cheap, wholesale reduction of difficulty, just what feels like a more balanced play experience. [Jan 2005, p.84]
80
GameShark
If I could venture one bit of advice to Capcom, I would suggest that they not fall into the rut of offering a new Viewtiful Joe game every year and actually make the next installment a meaningful upgrade in 2006. Perhaps add in a cooperative mode for two players to tackle.
80
PSX Nation
A textbook case of a videogame sequel done right.
80
Pelaaja (Finland)
Even if the game is basically a rehash of old ideas, something this lively and stylish is well worth repeating. It’s good to have a bit of henshin a gogo amongst all the fps- and stealth action game clones. [May 2005, p.76]
80
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Cartoon-style action adventure with great fighting controls. [Jan 2007, p.106]
80
GameSpy
The only real problem with VJ2 -- it's too darn similar to the previous one.
80
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
VJ2 is the better overall game, but it's a very rudimentary and evolutionary step rather than a revolutionary leap forward. [Jan 2005, p.108]
80
G4 TV
In some cases, notably in the variety of bosses and in the unlockable bonuses, the first title is better than the sequel.
80
GMR Magazine
The worst thing that can be said about Viewtiful Joe 2 is that it's a lot like the first game, and that's a good thing. [Jan 2005, p.123]
75
Detroit Free Press
There is also constant, driving techno music that isn't overwhelming and meshes pretty well with all the craziness.
60
Gamer.tv
The only real problem with Joe 2: It's way too similar to the previous title...Still, a terrific game. Challenging, but never to the point of frustration.
Mike gave it a10: |
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