- Death Jr. II: Root of Evil
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Death Jr. II: Root of Evil 
North American cover, PSP versionDeveloper(s) Backbone Entertainment Publisher(s) Konami, Eidos (Wii version) Platform(s) PlayStation Portable, Wii Release date(s) PSP
Wii
Genre(s) Action adventure Mode(s) Single-player, Two Player Ad Hoc Rating(s) Media/distribution UMD, Wii Optical Disc Death Jr. II: Root of Evil is the sequel to the PlayStation Portable video game Death Jr. The game has various differences from the first, as it introduces unlimited amount of continues and more cinematics. Additionally, a second playable character is introduced, Pandora. Death, Death Jr.'s father, also makes a cameo.
Contents
Story
The game starts out at a Majestic Burger fast food stand as he gives a customer his order, and to his horror, Death is his next customer, however all he wants is "A number 4 with hashbrowns, hold the onions," but the employee runs off scared. Death tries to follow but is interrupted when Furi, in her second form, bursts in and attacks him. After a brief duel, Death is overpowered and enveloped in vines. It is later revealed that DJ and Pandora find a cocoon or risk failing biology,meanwhile DJ gets out a card that says to Pandora that he likes her but decides not to give it to her. DJ and Pandora discover a giant cocoon and as they argue about who should get it, they knock it down and green ooze spills out, and instead of a butterfly coming out, Furi (in her original form) emerges from it, knocks DJ and Pandora off a cliff, and goes off into a cemetery to get some minions, due to a sign being broken she doesn't realize it's a toy cemetery. As you fight off living toys you eventually get to the rendezvous point at the Saw Mill. Stigmartha, Smith and Weston discover that Furi is a completely plant based being, and she's growing. Seep suggests using a Biocide against her by getting it at the secret army base in the World of Waffles. Smith and Weston say that it's a good idea, so DJ and Pandora agree to go. After fighting off wooden beavers and anamatronic llamas including the giant mascot Louie the Llama, you launch the Biocide, which angers her, and she transforms into her second form and flies off. DJ and Pandora return to the Saw mill to find it abandoned and enemies soon appear. You need to fight your way out and eventually Stigmartha and the rest of the gang saves DJ and Pandora by escaping in a school bus. Smith and Weston say that they need something stronger than Biocide to kill her. When Seep farts, the Siamese twins get an idea and say that they need to get to the mall for supplies. Once you get there (and fight off a few baddies), Smith and Weston create a lethal chemical to kill Furi with. Also DJ and Pandora find Death in a cocoon like state but they have to leave him there for now. After you cut down a few pods you follow a path made by a giant root that leads to the River Styx. After fighting off baddies you find Furi who is sucking up the river's energy and she transforms into a blob like six armed form (final form) and makes a tree fortress. After you climb it, you enter Furi's lair, and after a long battle you win the game, afterwards Pandora discovers DJ's card and kisses him.
Characters
1. Death Jr. a.k.a. DJ: He is the main protagonist of the game and just your average, everyday kid, whose dad happens to be the Grim Reaper. What could possibly go wrong? Other than sort of killing things (like half the sixth grade class at his last school) without meaning to. Luckily, he has found a good group of friends at his new school. Of course, if his dad finds out he's unleashed an evil force of nature in their town, it is off to Military School for sure.
2. Pandora: She's cute, smart and doesn't take anything from anyone. Pandora likes hanging out with her fellow freaks because they're more than the "normal" kids. She's only got one weakness: If there is a door closed, a hallway hidden or a locker locked, Pandora will be hooked. She doesn't look for trouble, but it sure knows how to find her.
3. Smith and Weston: Smith and Weston share one doubly large brain, and with four hands to work with they are born inventors. Smith provides the logic and Weston the random creativity. Sometimes they do not get along, but it is hard to have necessary alone time when you're joined at the head.
4. The Seep: The Seep is an armless, legless, foreign exchange student in a jar. He may not have the best attitude, but keeping your chin up isn't always easy when you live in a vat!
5. Stigmartha: (Marty to her friends) loves school, which alone makes her an outcast, although it is handy when the kids need someone to write a paper for them. She is very bright and wants to be a journalist or novelist when she grows up. Unfortunately, when she gets nervous, she bleeds from her hands!
6. Dead Guppy: Dead Guppy is the wild one of the bunch. Like James Dean, he doesn't need anything specific to rebel against, so long as he can rebel. He's a fighter and a lover and oh yeah, he's dead!
7. Furi: She is the main antagonist in the story. DJ and Pandora accidentally released her in her cocoon which angers her. She transforms from a sexy lady to a muscular one to a blob like thing with six arms. She is defeated by DJ/Pandora by putting Biocide in her mouth.
8. Death or DJ's father: He treats DJ like a baby which DJ doesn't like. He grounds DJ or say things like "no PSP". He was defeated by Furi when he was at the Majestic Burger.
DJ's Weapons
1. Pistols: These are DJ's starter weapons, the pistols have good range and do a nice amount of damage. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Twin Pistols.
2. TP Launcher: DJ throws toilet paper at enemies causing big explosions. Can be upgraded to Upgraded TP Launcher.
3. Icer: DJ freezes his enemies solid. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Icer.
4. Shotgun: Knocks enemies on their back and causes damage. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Shotgun.
5. Proximity Mine: Damages enemies by toxic gas. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Proximity Mine.
6. C4 Hamsters: The name says it all. Can be upgraded to Upgraded C4 Hamsters.
7. Rocket Launcher: Fires rockets at enemies. The aftermath of the explosion damages enemies further. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Rocket Launcher.
8. Electric Gun: Fires electric shocks at enemies and follows others. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Electric Gun.
Pandora's Weapons
1. Tommy Gun: This is Pandora's starting weapons, it does good damage against bosses. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Tommy Gun.
2. Freeze Gun: It freezes enemies solid but bounces back to other enemies. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Freeze Gun.
3. Flamethrower: Burns enemies but leaves the floor burning causing damage to enemies walking on it. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Flamethrower.
4. Shotgun: Knocks enemies on their back and causes damage. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Shotgun.
5. Proximity Mine: Damages enemies by toxic gas Can be upgraded to Upgraded Proximity Mine.
6. Shiny Sparklies: When thrown to enemies, it attach to it until it explodes. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Shiny Sparklies.
7. Rocket Launcher: Fires rockets at enemies. The aftermath of the explosion damages enemies further. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Rocket Launcher.
8. Electric Gun: Fires electric shocks at enemies. Can be upgraded to Upgraded Electric Gun.
Gameplay
Players can now play as either DJ or Pandora, each of which now have their own special abilities.
DJ: He does good damage against enemies using his scythe. Later in the game buying moves in "The Lab" causes DJ to do different combos. He is also fast on hooks and rafters but slow in balance beams.
Pandora: She has weak damage on enemies using her whip. You can also buy her combos in "the Lab". She is slow in hooks and rafters but fast on balance beams.
Wii version
On February 12, 2008, it was announced that the game would be ported to the Wii.[1] Backbone Entertainment producer James Stanley describes it as the "special edition".
Reception
- Play Magazine: 9.5 out of 10
- Game Informer: 8.25 out of 10
- PSM Magazine: 8 out of 10
- Hardcore Gamer Magazine: 4 out of 5
- GamePro: 4 out of 5
- Worth Playing: 7.5 out of 10
- Gaming Age: B-
- IGN: 7.1 out of 10
- HonestGamers: 7 out of 10
- Gametrailers: 6.7 out of 10
- 1UP: 6.5 out of 10
- GameSpot: 6.4 out of 10
- Electronic Gaming Monthly: 6.33 out of 10
- GamerNode: 6.2 out of 10
- PlayStation 2 Mag UK(OPM UK): 6 out of 10
- Pocket Gamer UK: 6 out of 10
- Official PlayStation Magazine: 6 out of 10
- G4 - X-Play: 3 out of 5
- GameZone: 6 out of 10
- GameSpy: 3 out of 5 60.0%
- Games Master UK: 58 out of 100
- PlayStation Official Magazine UK: 5 out of 10
- Ngamer: 40%
References
- ^ a b Leone, Matt (2008-02-12). "Previews: Death Jr. 2". 1UP.com. Ziff Davis. http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3166203. Retrieved 2008-02-13.
External links
Categories:- PlayStation Portable games
- 2006 video games
- Video games developed in Canada
- Wii games
- Konami games
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