Return to Mysterious Island 2
- March 6, 2014
- Kheops Studio
"Return to Mysterious Island 2" is a survival adventure game where player controls Mina and her primate friend Jep. After a failed rescue, they must survive on the mysterious island, dress wounds, evade wildlife, and communicate with other animals. Using various item combinations, they aim to heal, escape the island, and uncover its secrets.
Reviews
- The game features updated graphics and improved performance compared to the first installment, with no major technical issues.
- There is a good variety of puzzles and gameplay mechanics, allowing for multiple ways to solve challenges and explore the environment.
- The story continues from the first game, providing nostalgic value and engaging moments, especially for fans of the series.
- Many puzzles are frustratingly obscure or rely on tedious mini-games, which detracts from the overall adventure experience.
- The character of Mina feels less compelling and more helpless compared to her portrayal in the first game, which disappointed fans.
- The game suffers from performance issues on modern systems, with reports of low frame rates and graphical artifacts.
- story20 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story in the sequel has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling it loses the original's mystery and coherence by introducing bizarre elements that undermine the established narrative. While the first game is praised for its compelling storyline, the second game offers a longer but less engaging plot, with some players finding it enjoyable despite its odd twists. Overall, the sequel's story is seen as a highlight by some, but it suffers from convoluted puzzles and a lack of clarity that detracts from the experience.
“Lovely point-and-click adventure game with a good storyline, beautiful artwork, and good voice acting.”
“The story of the game is definitely a highlight.”
“It completely undermines the story and world the first game created by forcibly injecting magic voodoo alien elements into it.”
“The second game's storyline does take a turn for the weird, but it was still fun.”
“Too many obscure clues and puzzles, and too many situations where you have no idea what to do next; I took a break about three-quarters through, though the story picks up a little later.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the updated 3D objects and beautiful artwork, while others criticize the cartoony style and performance issues, particularly on modern hardware. Users note graphical artifacts and a lack of immersive experience compared to similar titles, leading to an overall sentiment that the graphics are merely acceptable for an older game.
“Lovely point-and-click adventure game with a good storyline, beautiful artwork, and good voice acting.”
“Refreshing, great puzzles (although you might need a walkthrough for all the combinations), great cutscenes and graphics, and a great ending, maybe a fitting ending to the game and not to leave room for a sequel.”
“It's a return to the same island as the first game, with updated graphics.”
“There are graphical artifacts with this one on Windows 10.”
“Graphics are okay, but when Mina talks, she just moves her mouth at impossible speeds.”
“I am absolutely disappointed at the performance from this game... a PC with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti should not run this game at 10 fps, and there don't seem to be any graphics settings for the game.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily focused on collecting items and combining them to solve puzzles, but many players find it disappointing as it leans heavily on tedious minigames that require quick reactions rather than true puzzle-solving. While the game introduces new mechanics, it has been criticized for straying from its puzzle game roots.
“Collect items and combine them to solve puzzles.”
“This game adds a few new mechanics to the series.”
“The second big problem is the gameplay itself.”
“This is labeled as a puzzle game, but most of the gameplay is in fact not puzzle-based; it's mostly tedious minigames that more often than not require split-second reaction clicking.”
“There are many new mechanics, so it is definitely not just the first game all over.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered acceptable for its age, with some users noting it enhances the ambiance and emotional experience. A new mini-game allows players to engage with music in a fun way, fostering interactions with other characters. Overall, while not groundbreaking, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.
“There's a fun new mini game where you can get Jep to befriend other monkeys on the island by playing music for them, giving them gifts, or grooming them.”
“The music, the breathtaking views and sightseeing, the ambiance, the frustration over puzzles, and the punch of the game with all the emotional feelings and spot-on voice cast... there is more to say but I'll end it with: highly suggested for people who want a fun, calm time!”
“The sound/music/graphics are okay for an old game, but nothing brilliant.”
“The music, the breathtaking views and sightseeing, the ambiance, the frustration over puzzles, and the punch of the game with all the emotional feelings and spot-on voice cast... there is more to say, but I'll end it with: highly suggested for people who want a fun, calm time!”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The original "Return to Mysterious Island" is reported to run smoothly after some adjustments, while "RTMI2" faces significant optimization issues, with players expressing frustration over poor performance, particularly on capable hardware like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, and a lack of adjustable graphics settings.
“The original Return to Mysterious Island runs smoothly after a few tweaks.”
“I am absolutely disappointed at the performance of this game; a PC with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti should not run this game at 10 FPS, and there don't seem to be any graphics settings available.”
“I am absolutely disappointed with the performance of this game. A PC with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti should not run this game at 10 FPS, and there don't seem to be any graphics settings available.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's high replayability due to its diverse options and alternative paths, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes.
“There is a lot of variety in the game, leaving it infinitely replayable as you try alternative paths.”
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences, making you want to dive back in for more.”
“The different choices and outcomes ensure that no two runs are ever the same, enhancing the replayability factor.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players criticize the game for misleadingly labeling itself as a puzzle game, as much of the gameplay consists of tedious minigames that rely on quick reaction times rather than engaging puzzle-solving mechanics.
“This is labeled as a puzzle game, but most of the gameplay is, in fact, not puzzle-based; it's mostly tedious minigames that more often than not require split-second reaction clicking.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which made the experience feel more like a chore than fun.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often praised for its cleverness and wit, contributing to an engaging and entertaining experience for players.
“The humor in this game is incredibly clever and keeps me laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game incorporates funny dialogue and situations that catch me off guard.”
“The witty jokes and humorous scenarios make every playthrough enjoyable.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its splendor, complemented by an intriguing story and open-ended puzzles that enhance the overall experience.
“The puzzles are rather open-ended, there is an interesting story, and the atmosphere is splendid.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's emotional depth, driven by its captivating music, stunning visuals, and immersive ambiance. The combination of challenging puzzles and a strong voice cast enhances the overall emotional experience, making it highly recommended for those seeking a relaxing yet engaging gaming session.
“The music, the breathtaking views and sightseeing, the ambiance, the frustration over puzzles, and the emotional depth of the game, combined with a spot-on voice cast, create a truly immersive experience. I highly suggest it for people who want a fun, calm time!”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express dissatisfaction with the monetization strategy, highlighting intrusive advertising, particularly for Apple, and criticizing the overall value of the game due to its strange puzzles and lackluster story progression.
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
“I was disappointed by the constant push for in-game purchases, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The game is riddled with ads and paywalls, making it frustrating to progress without shelling out cash.”