MDK2

Starting at $9.99Buy now

MDK2 is a comedic single-player shooter game, where players control one of three unlikely heroes: Kurt Hectic, Dr. Hawkins, and Max, a six-legged robotic dog. The trio must outsmart and outfight alien enemies in their mission to reclaim Earth, utilizing various weapons and abilities to out-sneak, out-blast, and out-think their foes. The game is known for its witty humor and immersive soundtrack, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 215 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

MDK 2 is a nostalgic gem that offers a unique blend of humor, engaging gameplay, and memorable characters, making it a must-play for fans of the original.
The game features varied gameplay mechanics with three distinct characters, each providing a different playstyle and adding depth to the experience.
The soundtrack is highly praised, with many players noting its quality and how it enhances the overall gaming experience.

The game suffers from numerous technical issues, including bugs, crashes, and poor performance on modern systems, particularly Windows 10.
Many players feel that the level design is lackluster compared to the original, with some levels being overly long and tedious.
Controls can be frustrating, with awkward camera angles and sensitivity issues that detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

gameplay
40 mentions
20 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a diverse mix of mechanics and character-switching, allowing players to control three distinct characters—Kurt, Max, and Dr. Hawkins—each with unique abilities and playstyles. While the game offers solid controls and a fun universe, it suffers from poor level design and game-breaking bugs that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the humor and varied gameplay elements provide an enjoyable experience for players.
- “Nice gameplay, and a nice (silly) story with great humor.”
- “Max, the six-legged canine killing machine, is now a playable character who can wield any combination of 4 guns at a time (yes, it's as cool as it sounds), and so is Dr. Fluke Hawkins, whose playstyle includes a very basic but rewarding crafting-on-the-fly system and more puzzle-oriented gameplay.”
- “Each character has a completely different playstyle and emphasis on certain mechanics (Kurt - sniper rifle, parachute, lots of platforming; Max - less platforming, but can handle 4 firearms; Doctor - solving puzzles using some of his weird science gear).”
- “These sequences are meant to add diversity to the gameplay and instead water it down.”
- “I wish they had gone in a different direction with the gameplay.”
- “The controls are easy to get used to even if you haven't played before, but the main issue with this game isn't the gameplay; the issue is with the multitude of game-breaking bugs.”
music
38 mentions
37 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in MDK2 is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its intensity and the skill of composer Jesper Kyd, who is noted for his later work on popular franchises. While some feel it doesn't quite match the classic soundtrack of the first game, it still delivers a vibrant and engaging experience that enhances the gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is described as "kickass" and integral to the game's fun and humorous atmosphere.
- “The music is intense, hardcore stuff and I think some people might be slightly familiar with a man called Jesper Kyd, who went on to do the Hitman games, Assassin's Creed, and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. I think this title is what put him on the map.”
- “Stellar music, powerful and appropriate gunshot sounds, even the footsteps and pain noises sound amazing.”
- “It's still a blast to play this gem here that also offers a unique godlike soundtrack.”
- “Not the fault of the composer; they had a lot to live up to, but the first game's soundtrack is a classic.”
- “I am sorry for the fans that love it, but I didn't like the alien designs; I only liked two or three music tracks.”
- “Similar to the music, they had big shoes to fill, so I don't fault them completely.”
humor
32 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while the first installment is praised for its effortless surrealist wit, the sequel is criticized for trying too hard to replicate that charm. Many players appreciate the witty dialogue and goofy characters, highlighting the game's lighthearted tone and memorable comedic moments, though some feel it lacks the original's natural humor. Overall, the humor remains a significant draw, contributing to the game's enjoyable experience.
- “Witty humor is just perfect.”
- “The dialogs between them and other characters are funny and sometimes take unexpected paths.”
- “Great humor, likable characters, goofy enemies, massive and colorful locations, kick-ass music, epic boss battles, really funny cutscenes, unforgettable missions, cartoonish graphics that didn't age at all... but the best thing about MDK2 is that it feels really light and fun :)”
story
32 mentions
38 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of the game is characterized as simple yet entertaining, featuring three distinct main characters with different playstyles and a wacky, humorous narrative. While it lacks deep complexity, it effectively engages players with its lighthearted tone, likable characters, and vibrant settings, making it a fun experience overall. The writing team, including members who contributed to the Mass Effect universe, adds a level of quality to the storytelling, resulting in a comical and enjoyable adventure.
- “No wonder since the story was written by some of the guys that went on to design the Mass Effect universe.”
- “A great ending to a great story with none of that twist nonsense, but let me shut my mouth before I start spoiling.”
- “In terms of the story, there isn't a huge amount of depth, but it's not intending to be as gripping as a novel...it's meant to be a simple story with simple characters, within a brilliantly designed, goofy yet serious action-adventure game.”
- “The game's story is wacky and comical, something I find enjoyable but probably a bit too wacky and corny even as I was growing up.”
- “The story this time around (as opposed to the original MDK) is a bit more fleshed out, nothing too fancy but it's just enough to keep you interested.”
graphics
24 mentions
25 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the art style and detail that have aged well, others report significant issues with asset reuse and technical problems, particularly on newer operating systems. Many users find the visuals satisfactory for an older title, but the frequent crashes and distorted graphics render it unplayable for some. Overall, the game's aesthetic appeal is overshadowed by compatibility issues and inconsistent performance.
- “The graphics are great, and it works so smoothly.”
- “Graphics wise, yeah, ok, it's not really Crysis since it was made in 2000, but even today the art style and everything else in the visual department ooze style, detail, and depth.”
- “Great humor, likable characters, goofy enemies, massive and colorful locations, kick-ass music, epic boss battles, really funny cutscenes, unforgettable missions, cartoonish graphics that didn't age at all... but the best thing about MDK2 is that it feels really light and fun :)”
- “The levels aesthetically aren't very pleasing and reuse assets notably.”
- “However, be cautious when buying this game because it seems that almost everyone who buys it has problems playing it on newer operating systems (i.e. Windows 8 and 10). I feel as though I wasted my money buying this game because it is unplayable due to distorted graphics and the game crashing.”
- “Every time I start MDK2, all graphics just freak out, so I can't play this game.”
stability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern, with users reporting frequent bugs, lag, and glitches that hinder gameplay. Despite having only 10 levels, some are overly extended, contributing to a frustrating experience. Potential buyers are cautioned that these issues may persist even after attempts to troubleshoot.
- “Some parts of the game are unforgiving, buggy, and laggy. There are only 10 levels, but some of them are overextended, so the game would not be 3-4 hours long.”
- “Be careful when buying; it likely won't work due to glitches. Uninstalling and verifying files doesn't help.”
optimization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the optimization of the Steam port is a significant focus, with users specifically addressing its performance. Overall, the feedback suggests that there are notable concerns regarding how well the game runs on this platform.
- “This review is catered towards the performance of the Steam port.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is consistently praised for its brilliance, with moments that can be quite chilling, evoking strong emotional responses from players.
- “The atmosphere is always brilliant, and at times it gets pretty chilling.”