MDK2

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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

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 124 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

The game features three distinct protagonists, each with unique playstyles, providing varied gameplay experiences.
The quirky comic book style and humorous writing contribute to an entertaining and nostalgic atmosphere.
The game has solid mechanics, enjoyable combat, and a memorable soundtrack, making it a fun experience overall.

Many players experience significant bugs and performance issues, especially on modern systems, making the game unplayable for some.
The level design is often criticized for being bland and frustrating, with some sections feeling overly difficult or poorly constructed.
Controls can be clunky and difficult to manage, particularly during platforming segments, detracting from the overall enjoyment.

gameplay
22 mentions
18 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its oddity and diversity, allowing players to switch between three distinct characters—Kurt, Max, and Dr. Hawkins—each with unique mechanics and playstyles. While the game offers solid mechanics and a fun, humorous narrative, it suffers from poor level design and game-breaking bugs that detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the varied gameplay and character dynamics provide an engaging experience for players.
- “The gameplay is solid, the style is nice, and the universe is fun, but after the first few levels, a potential hidden gem of a game is beaten down by poor level design.”
- “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 (atomic toaster, for example).”
- “With self-referential wit and varied gameplay between each character, this little gem I first experienced on the Dreamcast should not be dismissed.”
- “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 main issue with this game isn't the gameplay, the issue is with the multitude of game-breaking bugs.”
music
19 mentions
37 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The music in MDK 2 is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its intensity and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. While some feel it doesn't quite match the classic soundtrack of the first game, it is still considered a standout feature, with notable contributions from composer Jesper Kyd. Overall, the soundtrack is described as powerful, fitting, and integral to the game's fun and humorous atmosphere.
- “Kickass music.”
- “It's still a blast to play this gem 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.”
- “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.”
humor
17 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of creative and funny moments, particularly highlighted in Dr. Hawkins' chapters, though some feel it tries too hard to replicate the effortless surrealism of the first game. While the sequel features witty dialogue and goofy characters, it also adopts a slightly more serious tone at times. Overall, players appreciate the lighthearted and humorous atmosphere, with many enjoying the quirky puns and entertaining cutscenes.
- “There's some creative and funny moments, especially during Dr. Hawkins' chapters.”
- “Witty humor is just perfect.”
- “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
17 mentions
35 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The story of the game is characterized as simple yet entertaining, featuring three distinct main characters with varying playstyles. While it lacks deep narrative complexity, it is praised for its humor, likable characters, and engaging cutscenes, creating a lighthearted and enjoyable experience. Overall, the storyline is described as wacky and comical, complementing the game's vibrant design and action-oriented gameplay.
- “No wonder since the story was written by some of the guys that went on to design the Mass Effect universe.”
- “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
15 mentions
27 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally considered satisfactory for its release period in 2000, showcasing a unique art style that still holds some charm today. However, many players report significant issues with compatibility on modern operating systems, leading to distorted visuals and crashes that detract from the experience. While some appreciate the game's nostalgic aesthetic, others find the level design lacking and asset reuse noticeable.
- “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.”
- “The game is spiffy in graphics for its time, and has a decent gameplay style.”
- “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 heavily criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and lag issues that render it nearly unplayable. Despite having only ten levels, some are overly extended, contributing to a frustrating experience. Players are advised to exercise caution before purchasing due to these persistent stability problems.
- “Some parts of the game are unforgiving, buggy, laggy, etc. 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.”
- “Unfortunately, the Steam version of this game is buggy as all hell; it's actually unplayable.”
optimization
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the Steam port has received mixed feedback, with some users highlighting performance issues that affect gameplay. Overall, while there are improvements in certain areas, many players feel that further optimization is needed for a smoother experience.
- “This review focuses on the performance of the Steam port.”
- “The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the settings to enhance performance without sacrificing visual quality.”
- “This review is focused on the performance of the Steam port.”
- “The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering.”
- “Despite the potential of the gameplay, the lack of proper optimization makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
atmosphere
1 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, particularly impactful for younger players.
- “The atmosphere is always brilliant, and at times it gets pretty chilling (or it did when I played it as an eight-year-old).”