PSX Longplay #33: Pandemonium 2

Pandemonium 2 (Miracle Jumpers in Japan) is a platform game, developed by Crystal Dynamics, for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows. It is a sequel to Pandemonium!.

Pandemonium 2 employs a so-called "2.5D gameplay". While the game renders polygons in a typical 3-D fashion, gameplay is 2-D. Players can choose to be either Nikki or Fargus - who each have different specialties - with the option to change for each level. During the quest, players can earn extra lives by collecting treasure.

Unique powers collected during gameplay may replace, extend or add to previous powers, depending on which character is in play and which power obtained. The characters handle the unique powers differently. For instance, collecting the "fire power" allows Nikki to shoot destructive fireballs, while it grants Fargus invincibility and a deadly touch, but requires him to constantly move forward. Machines and equipment are also available throughout the game, although they are tied to certain areas.

There are four boss stages, set after a block of stages has been completed. Destroying the bosses usually involves small puzzles, such as catapulting fireballs at a flying boss, or surviving the onslaught of a giant mecha boss while balanced on the back of a large, fast moving tank.

Should the player collect +80% of treasure in a level, they will have access to the bonus level "Boarder Run", where they must slide along a course collecting treasure, while simultaneously keeping ahead of a pursuing vortex. Failure in "Boarder Run" does not cost player lives; successfully completing "Boarder Run" will result in the player earning at least one extra life.

The player begins with four hit points to represent health. Through bonuses, this can be expanded up to a maximum of 16. To achieve maximum hit points, the player must find one of several "life pieces" in hidden areas of the game. When all points are lost, the character loses a life and returns to the last checkpoint. When all lives are lost, the game is over.

[AquilaFawkes]

Whatever the developer smoked during development, I definitely want some.

[filiplaskovski]

My childhood memories are returning!!!👌🏻

[HIDEFACES]

I thought LSD Dream emulator was the trippiest game on the PSX, now im not so sure. With levels like Lick the Toad, or Rub the Buddha, Pandemonium 2 is a serious contender.

[imraneyubov]

never understood this game as a kid but still enjoyed it

[TheBLBShow]

2:39:55
Scariest Part of my Childhood.
The Bitter End as a whole is just pretty scary imo.
Doesn't help that the level is about 10x longer than all the other levels

[cheappyv]

one of the very best ps1 games. it has my all time favorite gaming moments

[tommyb]

Nikki reminds me of " Lola ", the main character from the movie " Run Lola Run " (1998). The red hair, the green pants and the techno music! :D It has only last about 20 years until i recognized the similarities! I am really a bright spark!

[DeadShoes]

World 1: Follow the Goon Queen through the lands of Lyr.
World 2: Oooh Alien environments!
World 3: Run through the industrious districts.

World 4: hAHa lSd wOW.

[DasherBeats]

All. My. Life. I. Played. The. First. One. Without. Knowing. This. Existed....

[cheappyv]

wonder why it's so different from the first one. I know it's Crystal Dynamics in both cases, but did the same people work on 1 and 2? remember not liking the second one at first, later thinking it was a better deeper game. now whenever i think of the series I think of the second part

[bcs]

Ice prision is still my favourite level

[boitahaki]

You are a master at this game, cheers!

[GenecyzRDWUF]

ahhh my favorite game, I still can't beat this game until now XD

[MMORPGxDRAGONMANxCZ]

ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY COMPLETE THE BITTER END WITH 100% TREASURE AND WITHOUT DIE

[pmkq]

Mr.Schneoebelen must be a fan of Tau Crisis and Broadside battle suits.

[mrnaughtycat]

Press the left and right buttons tougher and you can skip parts of levels not sure if it’s teal coz I found it in the demo

[cabronfromhell]

This game was awesome my sister and me always played it together but for some reason we couldn't pass that bitter end level and we never finish the game

[ushidanouchida]

I’m tired just to watch how long this Bitter End stage is lmao

[bcs]

Shame there's no full gameplay with Fargus

[engaaboood]

Make pandemonium 3! or a remake please !