Adventure II - Atari 5200

If you are of a mind to obtain an Atari 5200 SuperSystem (a console in nice, working condition with a Best Electronics Lifetime Joystick will run you at least $250), this is an absolute must-have for the system. Adventure II is truly a "nothing else quite like it" kind of game. Even the original 2600 Adventure had a significantly different game engine, which makes Adventure II very much "next level".

It takes a little getting used to, but you'll start to enjoy the way this game feels on the 5200 joystick, and you'll come up with new techniques for evading and defeating the dragons. I found myself increasingly relying on the magnet and the bridge as the constantly shifting mazes proved to be a masterclass in pattern recognition.

The graphics are simple, yet evocative. The Seaside Kingdom reminds me of Serenia from Kings Quest V, while the Hedge Maze Kingdom evokes a crisp, drizzly day in the world of Alice in Wonderland.

Being pursued by the dragons and minotaur through the castles and hedge maze feels like a cross between "The Shining", the "maze of twistly little passages, all alike" from Zork, and Mark Danielewski's "House of Leaves"! The most challenging part about learning the mazes is being constantly on the move to avoid your pursuers. There's rarely a chance to stop and catch your breath, which makes for classic, frantic Atari style gameplay.

With over 20 levels, you will spend HOURS, determined to keep making your way through increasingly difficult stages. This makes for a very high level of replayability. I highly recommend this game to anyone who has a SuperSystem or even for someone who is on the fence about getting one. Really well done and unique!

This is a fantastic game, I highly recommend it. Actually bought my 5200 just so I could play it, as I loved Adventure on the 2600.

This game goes to show that the 5200 was an extremely capable system for the time it came out, and this game rivals pretty much anything that was on the NES as far as graphics and sound.

Can't help but wonder if some of the RPGs that were released on the NES could work just as well on the 5200 after seeing this.

Hopefully soon we'll get an XE version!

The game is excellent, but by today's standards would be considered an updated remake rather than a sequel - that's perfectly fine with me because I never got enough Adventure with the original.

The game does an amazing job improving on its predecessor with more varied mazes, enemies and items without straying too far from the core concept. There are nice little extras like an homage to the "dot" easter egg and some "wall art" in the game that reminds you of the old days.

Probably the most impressive part of the game is the detailed level matrix; at the top of which is a completely random game variation that should keep you challenged until your 5200 finally dies years from now.

If you collect for this system, have even a casual interest in the 5200, and/or have put in the effort to get your 5200 sticks working, you need to own this game. I don't think it is a stretch to call it essential.

What can I say, this is the best 5200 game ever.We have a new champion Adventure 2

Pick up key, locate castle, enter castle, pick up new key, negotiate terrain, enter castle, pick up chalice, return to castle.These are the basics of Adventure II and if you think this sounds somewhat less than stellar, you´d be best advised not to judge this particular book by its cover. (not the actual box cover btw, which is outstanding).Adventure II surely harks back to the days of the eighties while keeping its gameplay-mechanics firmly set in a formula that works just as well in the new millennium.By taking the essence of what made the original Adventure one of the most revered and timeless Atari 2600 games of all time and spinning it into what can only be described as a logical continuation of the theme and genre, Square Trio have come up one heck of an addictive game.Inhabiting the worlds of Adventure II are the usual suspects as well as a couple of new faces. Among these, ferocious, respawning dragons, a pesky troll, and a lightening fast Minotaur all seem hellbent on making your life miserable. These aren´t dummies either. Square Trio have infused these beasties with a mean AI that, at times, is downright creepy. These dragons WILL hunt you down. They´ll even gang up on you and not relent until you´re deep inside the bowels of one of them. They´ll usually do this while you´re running blind in a state of panic, trying to find your way out of a maze or castle. Buggers.Items like the magnet, the bridge, the sword, numerous keys and logs are all present and accounted for, and they all need to be used strategically if you´re to succeed. However, what works in one level may just backfire in another, so you really need to adapt to each level and act accordingly. Herein lie some of the excellence of the game.You see, Square Trio have designed the game with the gamer in mind. As with most of the best games around, they know that the respect for gameplay is paramount. And boy have they succeeded in that department. The gameplay is always rewarding in one way or another and the replay-value of this game is basically through the roof. 20+ levels of varying size and difficulty ensure that you won´t crack this nut in a sitting.Visually, the game´s a feast. The environment is now vibrant with movement wherever you go, be it the tall grass waving in the wind or the movement of the sea. The dragons look absolutely amazing in a very intimidating way and the locations are varied in a way that always leaves something new to be explored. The Dark forest area is a personal favourite of mine. Graphically excellent and with great use of shadows on the ground. Don´t stop to look at the sights though. Great things are afoot and there are plenty of adversaries out to hinder your progress.The sounds of Adventure II are somewhat sparse, but what´s there compliment the action in a thoroughly good manner. As a game tester of Adventure II, it´s been my privilege to experience the evolution of the game for the better part of a year now, so of course I´m somewhat biased. That said, if you like the original Adventure, chances are you´ll feel right at home with Adventure II also. And when I say right at home, I mean it.Whenever I boot up the game now, it´s like meeting old friends. Play the game long enough and you´ll learn to appreciate the minute differences in temperament and behaviour of the inhabitants. Know your enemy and you´ll succeed.