Clockwork Knight 2

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Clockwork Knight 2
Clockwork knight 2.jpg
North American Saturn cover art
Developer(s) Sega
Publisher(s) Sega
Director(s) Tomoyuki Ito
Producer(s) Noriyoshi Oba
Yoji Ishii
Makoto Oshitani
Composer(s) Hirofumi Murasaki
Platform(s) Sega Saturn
Release
  • JP: July 28, 1995
  • EU: October 27, 1995
Pepperouchau no Fukubukuro
  • JP: December 15, 1995
  • NA: February 17, 1996
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player

Clockwork Knight 2 [lower-alpha 1] is a side-scrolling platform video game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Saturn. It was released in Japan on July 28, 1995 and on October 27th of the same year in Europe. The game is a direct sequel to Clockwork Knight , featuring many of the same mechanics as its predecessor.

Contents

On December 15, 1995, Clockwork Knight: Pepperouchau no Fukubukuro, a compilation featuring both Clockwork Knight titles and additional content was released in Japan. This version was used as the basis for the American release of the game, which was released on February 17, 1996, although with the first game inaccessible. Many critics deemed the sequel a dramatic improvement over its predecessor, citing improved replay value and pacing.

Plot

Clockwork Knight 2 immediately picks up on the cliffhanger left by Clockwork Knight . Chelsea is safe and sound, but will not wake up. As the toys not under the spell ponder just what to do, Chelsea is suddenly kidnapped again. Thus, Pepper again sets out to rescue her... [1]

Gameplay

Clockwork Knight 2 uses identical gameplay to that of its predecessor, right down to using all the same items and having four rooms with two levels each, plus a final boss. [2]

There are some minor additions:

Reception

Clockwork Knight 2 was well received by reviewers. Maximum assessed that the game is just as short as the original Clockwork Knight, but has much greater replay value, particularly the hidden playing cards. They also hailed the graphics as "far in advance of any other comparable next generation product". [5] Next Generation 's brief review noted that Clockwork Knight 2 made little change to the formula of the original game, and concluded by simply stating, "If you like CK you are sure to like CK2." [4] The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly described it as a must-have game for the Saturn. They especially praised the innovative use of both foreground and background playing areas, the impressive graphics, and the numerous secrets. [3] GamePro praised the game for having "some of the best visuals on the Saturn yet" and "excellent jazzy tunes that perfectly complement the action", but felt these did not make up for the routine and overly easy gameplay, saying it "takes the life out of the game." [7] Tom Guise of Sega Saturn Magazine , while criticizing the game's short length, praised the pacing of the gameplay, the impressiveness of the 3D graphics, and the large number of hidden areas and secrets, and summarized that "Clockwork Knight 2 manages to succeed, in every respect, where the original game failed." [2]

Future

A spin-off with the working title of Clockwork Knight: Pengin War / Clockwork Knight Puzzle was announced in the mid-90s, but never saw an official release. [8]

A reboot titled Knight N' Knight was announced in 2003 for the GameCube, [9] but was never released.

Notes

  1. Known in Japan as Clockwork Knight: Pepperouchau's Adventure - Last Volume (クロックワーク ナイト ~ ペパルーチョの大冒険・下巻~)

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References

  1. "The Knight's Errand", Clockwork Knight 2 instruction manual. (PDF)
  2. 1 2 3 Guise, Tom (November 1995). "Review: Clockwork Knight 2". Sega Saturn Magazine. Emap International Limited (1): 60–61.
  3. 1 2 "Clockwork Knight 2 Review" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 81. Ziff Davis. April 1996. p. 34.
  4. 1 2 "Clockwork Knight 2". Next Generation . Imagine Media (11): 170. November 1995.
  5. 1 2 "Maximum Reviews: Clockwork Knight 2" (PDF). Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. Emap International Limited (2): 145. November 1995.
  6. "Clockwork Knight 2 Review". CD Player (in German). January 1996. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  7. The Axe Grinder (April 1996). "ProReview: Clockwork Knight 2". GamePro . No. 91. IDG. p. 76.
  8. "Clockwork Knight Puzzle". Sega Saturn Magazine . Emap International Limited (3): 15. January 1996.
  9. E3 2003: Clockwork Knight Sequel, IGN.