The Documentary 2.5
by The Game
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 87 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 87
  3. Negative: 6 out of 87
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  1. mrchrister2
    Oct 26, 2015
    9
    Not a single bad song on this album. Overall just a way more solid, focused album than the Documentary 2. The lyrics on the front side and the bangers on the back side keep me pressing repeat.
  2. Eon2323
    Oct 28, 2015
    9
    The Game brings a certain level of intensity and focus that wasn't present on the first side to this double-disc album; his direction is clear, and most importantly, the songs are bangin'. This album does a great job of showing homage to old-school West Coast whether it's a background sample of MC Eiht's "Streight Up Menace" to bringing in the legendary DJ Quik. If you're a fan of the WestThe Game brings a certain level of intensity and focus that wasn't present on the first side to this double-disc album; his direction is clear, and most importantly, the songs are bangin'. This album does a great job of showing homage to old-school West Coast whether it's a background sample of MC Eiht's "Streight Up Menace" to bringing in the legendary DJ Quik. If you're a fan of the West Coast, gangsta music, and just good music all around, look no further.… Expand
  3. Thegame111
    Nov 18, 2015
    10
    I have never been a fan of game. Until I listened to this album. I checked this album just out of mere curiosity, The first song Magnus Carlsen, with Anderson .Paak on the intro and hook. As soon I heard this song I soon realized, that I have stumbled on a suprise. And also as a side note tracks 3,4,5 all intertwine with one another. The feratures as I have already mentioned withI have never been a fan of game. Until I listened to this album. I checked this album just out of mere curiosity, The first song Magnus Carlsen, with Anderson .Paak on the intro and hook. As soon I heard this song I soon realized, that I have stumbled on a suprise. And also as a side note tracks 3,4,5 all intertwine with one another. The feratures as I have already mentioned with Anderson Paak are all amazing, with the OG nas, and suprisingly Will I am (Whose feature was the most suprising on this album, with him producing, and "singing" the hook on The Ghetto on The ghetto, ScHoolBoy Q, and Jay rock (Jay was the best feature better than Nas) on Gang bang anyway, (Which has an instrumental that fits with these MC's, and feels very dynamic. one of the best produced tracks). Games lyrics are about the negatives that come with gangbanging, such as Jay rock mentioning in Gangbang anyway "Prosthetic legs, and wheelchairs". Although the whole album is great, In my opinion, the album takes an odd turn with focusing more on Banger influenced tracks, than the griminess of the first half the album. In all this album is genius. I think that its better Than To pimp a Butterfly.… Expand
  4. nigerc
    Nov 28, 2015
    10
    Its an independent album sounding like a Dr.Dre solo project. Eminem Big L biggie and others might be better lyricist than game but rap come to game game naturally his beat selection and flow is so nas like and natural and goes harder than. He is like a nas as hard as dmx and namedropping is an asset imo he does it so brilliantly showing he is not afraid of everyone. Deserved a 5 mic inIts an independent album sounding like a Dr.Dre solo project. Eminem Big L biggie and others might be better lyricist than game but rap come to game game naturally his beat selection and flow is so nas like and natural and goes harder than. He is like a nas as hard as dmx and namedropping is an asset imo he does it so brilliantly showing he is not afraid of everyone. Deserved a 5 mic in Doctors Advocate though classic album and this one too.… Expand
  5. T-rodney
    Oct 23, 2015
    7
    Documentary 2.5 is good but not better than its predecessors. This album was more serious, more emotional and had more beats similar to the early 2000's than Documentary 2 and some things work and some don't. The album starts off with a skit then starts with the song Magnus Carlse featuring Anderson Paak( who was the best feature in this album) the song is okay but seems to drag on withDocumentary 2.5 is good but not better than its predecessors. This album was more serious, more emotional and had more beats similar to the early 2000's than Documentary 2 and some things work and some don't. The album starts off with a skit then starts with the song Magnus Carlse featuring Anderson Paak( who was the best feature in this album) the song is okay but seems to drag on with was one of the problems in this album. The album goes on with Crenshaw / 80s and Cocaine and Gang bang anyway which were also good then the emotional track The Ghetto with Nas and will.i.am which was one of the best tracks of the album. From adam was okay but slightly disappointing with Lil wayne being disappointing, The Album goes on consistent with mostly good tracks and some bad ones with Intoxicated which was the worst song of the album because some DJ will be just talking, The Album finishes off with el chapo which was also good. The Documentary 2.5 is truely for The Game's fans as he talks about his rough neighbourhood, being a father and being a gangster, there a a few fun tracks with Quiks Groove(BEST TRACK), Up the wall and outside. The best tracks are The Ghetto, Quiks Groove, Gang related and up the wall, while the worst tracks are Intoxicated, From Adam and Life.The best features are Nas, Will.i.am, Ty dolla $ign and everyone on Quiks Groove cause it was A SUPER FUN TRACK. Worst features lil wayne and everyone on Moment of violence. This album is emotional, falls flat at times but has a few fun tracks. This is a good Album not better than its predecessors but a good album with a The Game being at his best in a long while.… Expand
  6. BigTyCoon
    Oct 23, 2015
    10
    This album is easily a classic and the whole set is the best double album in hip hop history. There is no other album this long that is this consistently amazing and strong all throughout.
  7. geedup
    Oct 26, 2015
    4
    I like that this is a double album and all the guests as well. Seems like almost anybody who spits is on this thing. But, the bottom line, Game is rapping on them too. Game jacks the flow of some good rappers on this. I found less than 3 good tracks. Bottom line is Game's style is lame, in my view. Although given how much he has sold of this album, I am in the minority!
  8. milomakromallis
    Oct 24, 2015
    5
    Production wise, Game has taken some big steps away from the usual hokey Dre wannabeats he usually goes for which play massively in his favour. Lyrically, as it has been since his first album, its mixed bag. He possesses a sharp technical ability but the continuous repeated name drops is beyond ridiculous, its as if he's become a parody of himself. The only times on this album where we getProduction wise, Game has taken some big steps away from the usual hokey Dre wannabeats he usually goes for which play massively in his favour. Lyrically, as it has been since his first album, its mixed bag. He possesses a sharp technical ability but the continuous repeated name drops is beyond ridiculous, its as if he's become a parody of himself. The only times on this album where we get the unexpected is the Lil Wayne featuring 'From Adam' where Game paints an actual picture with emotion that feels genuine and not contrived. The hook is from Weezy is also a welcomed change from his recent autotune meltdown.

    Songs like Gang Bang Anyway feel forced and slightly generic, YG essentially already made the song 2 years ago on the far superior cut 'I Just Wanna Party'. The large number guests doesn't feel like a necessity just proof Jayceon is incapable of creating decent songs on his own. Not exactly disappointing considering he hasn't had an above average album since his first. What is slightly irritating is the complete lack cohesion sonically. Nothing on these albums sound a thing like his first, lyrically and production wise.    … Expand
  9. nirvanafreak
    Oct 24, 2015
    6
    The best song on here is a bonus track. With Skrillex. The production on the album is nice but The Game just ruins it with the stuff he says. Oh well.
  10. Urbanlistener
    Nov 3, 2015
    10
    I was worried that the second part of the album would fall flat after such a great first part, but man was I wrong! Disc 2 is amazing, as good as disc 1 without any doubt. The beats are great, the invited artists (maybe too much) are great and Game is as strong in the booth as on the first part. From Adam is my personal best on 2.5 and maybe even on the double LP itself.
  11. handstokindness
    Oct 23, 2015
    0
    I'm so sick of that same old love,
    what's wrong with being confident?
    Hotline bling slays and y'all have to know this, this album is not good to me, I prefer The Weeknd's new album than this to be honest.
    Revival, Confident, Hotline Bling and The Beauty Behind The Madness are better
  12. ben_zo77
    Dec 20, 2015
    8
    The Documentary 2 proves The Game is still very much a relevant figure in hip hop. It's arguably one of the greatest double-disc rap albums in history. He clearly put an incredible amount of effort into this project to make sure it re-established his standing in the industry, and it's worked. Whether Game will use this rejuvenation of his career to put out another album in the future willThe Documentary 2 proves The Game is still very much a relevant figure in hip hop. It's arguably one of the greatest double-disc rap albums in history. He clearly put an incredible amount of effort into this project to make sure it re-established his standing in the industry, and it's worked. Whether Game will use this rejuvenation of his career to put out another album in the future will remain to be seen. The Documentary 2 is one of the best rap albums of 2015, which has been a strong year for hip hop. Regardless of whether or not he releases another album, The Game has now cemented himself as one of the greatest West Coast rappers of all time. ~ Disc Two: 7.9/10 ~ w/ bonus track: 8.0/10
    ~ Overall: 7.9/10 (w/ Disc Two bonus track: 7.9/10)
    Best track: "Life"
    Other notable tracks: "Gang Bang Anyway", "The Ghetto" & "From Adam"    … Expand
  13. Jumpman
    Jan 12, 2016
    7
    There is a huge difference in quality between documentary 2 and documentary 2.5. This one is probably among the best rap albums of the year mainly because the overperforming features overshadow the game's presence who only spits 16 bars per song on average
  14. MrJamarCarter
    Jan 25, 2016
    10
    I never wanted to listen to a full rap album before, but the I played the Documentary 2 & 2.5, I haven't fell in love with a rap album since Kanye West, My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy. Every song explains a story and has amazing composition by the Game and the collaboration are not overdrawn but masterful. Many think too many stars on an album makes it lose focus but the latter is theI never wanted to listen to a full rap album before, but the I played the Documentary 2 & 2.5, I haven't fell in love with a rap album since Kanye West, My Dark Beautiful Twisted Fantasy. Every song explains a story and has amazing composition by the Game and the collaboration are not overdrawn but masterful. Many think too many stars on an album makes it lose focus but the latter is the complete opposite and every song makes you believe in your mind that you are really watching a movie about the Game's eventful and illustrious life. The lyrics and sound has kept my phone repeating playing his album. But the Game achieved something Dr. Dre couldn't with Compton, he made you believe that you were witnessing the events through the music. That is a album… Expand
  15. Jensen67
    May 23, 2017
    9
    This album is honestly so good. Gives the original Documentary a run for its money. Definitely check this album out. 2015 was a good year for hip hop.

    Best songs: Magnus Carlsen / Moment of Violence / From Adam

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Mojo
    Dec 11, 2015
    60
    He also works hard to bring variety within the gargantuan two-and-a-half-hour running time with an all-star guest list. [Jan 2016, p.89]
  2. AllMusic
    Nov 9, 2015
    80
    "The Ghetto" with Nas and will.i.am does not disappoint, leaving the album's numbering system the only thing to complain about, as 2015 is the Game's second-best year ever, and there's nothing ".5" about it.
    Read full review
  3. RapReviews.com
    Oct 21, 2015
    90
    The Documentary 2 & 2.5 prove that he is back, and yes, better than ever. This isn't based on a cursory listen: the evidence is all there. His lyrics are more considered; his flow is varied and on point pretty much throughout; the choice in music is superb; there are concepts that deserve your attention.
    Read full review
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