Pajama Sam 2: Thunder And Lightning Aren't So Frightening
- May 1, 2014
- Humongous Entertainment
- 2h median play time
In Pajama Sam 2: Thunder and Lightning Aren't So Frightening, Sam goes on a mission to stop the stormy weather causing chaos in his city. He enters the world inside his parents' weather radio to find the "Sam-meter" to measure the amount of frightening in the storm. By solving puzzles and interacting with quirky characters, Sam learns that fear is just another kind of energy that can be controlled and used for good.
Reviews
- Pajama Sam 2 is a nostalgic trip that captures the charm and humor of the original game, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.
- The game features a creative setting with vibrant characters and engaging puzzles, providing a fun and interactive experience.
- It effectively helps children confront their fears, particularly of thunderstorms, while offering replay value through different puzzle combinations.
- Some players feel that Pajama Sam 2 lacks the depth and memorable characters of the first game, making it feel like a step down.
- The game can be challenging for younger players, with some puzzles being convoluted and requiring guidance or walkthroughs.
- Technical issues, such as compatibility with modern systems and display problems, have been reported, which can hinder the gaming experience.
- story29 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the engaging characters, humor, and interactive elements, particularly in the Pajama Sam series. While some find the narrative enjoyable and well-integrated with gameplay, others criticize it for being lackluster or feeling disconnected from the overall experience. Overall, the games are noted for their creativity and replayability, but the depth and coherence of the story vary significantly between titles.
“I really enjoy the story, characters, and puzzles inside this game, even just for a small game to play with friends.”
“Well-written characters with great voice acting, the plot is interesting, and the game has great replayability.”
“Pajama Sam 1 had the point of the story be that you don't need to be afraid of the dark, and the story built up to that overall point being the main message.”
“The game lacks a real plot, but the objectives and puzzles were good.”
“However, the biggest dip in the game would be the story.”
“The story could be removed and the game would pretty much play the same.”
- humor16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in Pajama Sam is widely praised for its lightheartedness, clever puns, and appeal to both children and adults. Reviewers highlight the game's charming characters, entertaining story, and interactive elements that consistently deliver funny moments. Overall, the humor is described as witty, memorable, and a key aspect that enhances the game's enjoyment.
“Pajama Sam has a wonderful sense of humor and lightheartedness that I really miss in games.”
“The jokes are actually funny and the story is entertaining.”
“It's humorous, witty, and delightfully clever in terms of plot, gameplay, and dialogue.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag; while the artwork is expressive and well-executed, many players find the overall visuals and animations dated compared to modern standards. Some appreciate the unique art style and environments, but others note that the game struggles to attract a younger audience accustomed to more polished graphics and controls. Overall, the visuals are praised for their creativity, but they may not meet the expectations of today's gamers.
“The artwork is expressive and well done.”
“All the games are pieces of artwork, and this game takes no exception.”
“I absolutely love the environments, the art style, the characters, the dialogue especially.”
“Sadly, the game is a bit dated, with the graphics and animations not holding up well to today's standards, and the voice acting is sub-par; but it's not like this was meant to be a triple-A title.”
“The art style is expressive and well done, but it feels like the graphics are lacking compared to modern games.”
“The graphics are underwhelming and do not meet the expectations set by contemporary titles.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to nostalgic games like Pajama Sam 2, often feeling joy and even tears when revisiting them on modern platforms like Steam and Switch. This attachment highlights a longing for the wholesome, narrative-driven experiences of their childhood, contrasting sharply with the current landscape of mobile games that prioritize profit over meaningful engagement. Overall, the emotional resonance of these games is rooted in nostalgia and a desire for imaginative play.
“I cried tears of happiness when I saw these were on Steam.”
“It's heartwarming to see Pajama Sam 2 (and the rest of Humongous’ series) in general be given a home on Steam as well as more recently on the Switch.”
“I cried because of the nostalgia.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Pajama Sam combines classic point-and-click adventure mechanics reminiscent of Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island with engaging minigames designed for younger audiences. Reviewers praise its imaginative settings, clever puzzles, and witty writing, noting that it offers a challenging yet accessible experience that respects players' intelligence. Overall, the game is described as polished and complete, with a humorous and interactive environment that enhances the adventure.
“The animations are cute and the gameplay is interesting and challenging (for my dumb adult brain even).”
“In my opinion, Pajama Sam was the best series Humongous ever made, featuring imaginative settings, witty writing, and clever gameplay.”
“Speaking of puzzles, Pajama Sam 2 is like a puzzle with every piece in its proper place: with its moving story, well-crafted characters, and exciting gameplay, this game feels incredibly polished and complete.”
“Gameplay involves Maniac Mansion/Monkey Island style point-and-click adventuring combined with a few minigames and activities intended to keep young children occupied.”
“Come to think of it, I’ve played plenty of modern M-rated triple-A games with wildly less respect for their players’ intelligence and a much weaker grasp on their art/story/gameplay compared to what Pajama Sam offers.”
“In addition to the point-and-click gameplay, each background is full of stuff to click on.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many users noting the presence of multiple scenarios and engaging puzzles that encourage repeated playthroughs. The nostalgic charm and entertaining characters further enhance its appeal, making it a worthwhile experience for both kids and adults. Despite some criticisms regarding the setting and brevity, the variety of content ensures that players can enjoy the game multiple times.
“I literally had to look up a walkthrough to figure out certain parts. High replay value here, 10/10.”
“The characters are entertaining, and the game has great replay value.”
“The best part is, it comes with a high replay value, due to the fact the game has several different scenarios to achieve the ending that it randomly loads each time you start the game.”
“Since I've already outed myself as a nostalgic boomer, I think it's pretty heartbreaking that 'kids today' have replaced imaginative point-and-click adventures featuring light educational elements and replay value with the mountain-high dumpster fires that are mobile app stores and all the free-to-play dopamine factories they seamlessly provide.”
“Despite the brevity of the game, this as well as the rest of the Pajama Sam series have decent replay value.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its ability to evoke nostalgia and enhance the overall experience. While some reviews note a decline in the memorable quality of the soundtrack compared to previous installments, others find the jazzy elements captivating enough to leave the game on in the background. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“Love the theme, the characters, and the music.”
“No matter how old you are, this game can always put a smile on your face from the fun dialogue, great animation, fun worlds, music, and neat characters.”
“Actually, I just left it on to sleep to the game music.”
“I did find some of the jazzy music to be pretty captivating though.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players generally favor the daytime atmosphere of the game, highlighting its appeal and preference over other settings.
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the game is bug-free, indicating a high level of stability and smooth performance.
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
“I haven't encountered any bugs, making for a seamless experience.”
“The stability of the game is impressive; it never lags or freezes.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly praised for its optimization, with users reporting that it runs smoothly and remains well-performing even over time, earning a perfect score of 10/10 in this aspect.
“10/10, it still holds up and runs smoothly.”
“The optimization is impressive; I can run it on lower-end hardware without any issues.”
“I love how well-optimized the game is; it maintains a steady frame rate even during intense moments.”