Review: JellyCar 2 - Plus Video Review
by Staff Writer
November 12, 2009
Overview
JellyCar, the hit free game, is back with tons more features. JellyCar 2 is a driving game like no other with a squishy car, and squishy levels to drive through. Bounce your way to the fastest time in over 30 levels. No level is just a straight drive to the finish, but rather an intricate contraption requiring your jelly car to speed around, grow, float, and stick to make it to the finish line. A level editor and online high scores are included in the paid sequel which were lacking from the original.
Features
Four gameplay modes are included beginning with classic mode. Classic mode is just like the free jelly car, but with more levels and more difficulty. 30 levels are included which are split up into easy, medium, and hard. Also included is Long Jump mode which contains three levels going down ramps, interacting with various objects, and trying to jump as far as possible. Factory mode takes away the driving, and provides a whole new mini-game. Various shaped jelly parts come down the conveyor, and you have to switch levers to guide them to the matching chute. Finally the most requested feature from the original is included in the paid sequel. There is now a level editor, so you can create your own jelly levels, and even customize your jelly car. Another great feature in the paid version is the inclusion of online high scores. Every level in the game keeps track of time which now can be compared online. There are also two new power-ups: balloon, and sticky wheels. Now you can float through levels, and drive up walls, and even upside down. The controls are simple enough. Just tap the right side to move forward, and the left to move back. Tap on your jelly car any time to make it grow, and tap again to shrink. Also you can tilt the iPhone to change the tilt of the car as it bounces around.
The Good
Jelly Car 2’s best feature is that it provides more of the greatness from the free original. Despite being published by Disney, and not having Walaber actually developing didn’t take away from this game. It maintains the fun of the original, and adds a whole bunch more. Rather than a driving, game it’s more like a puzzle with each level requiring you to figure out how to interact with the various items. It’s great to have your car bounce around, and then you need to make it grow to get through certain situations. It’s all a feeling out process, and as you go you figure out how to lessen the time taken. Then on top of the great classic gameplay there is also long jump mode which is short, simple and fun. Then there is factory mode which is a solid mini-game where you arrange chutes to direct tetris pieces.
Finally the best feature is the inclusion of a level editor. It’s great to not only play Jelly Car, but also to play your own levels. 40 parts are included to make the best level you possibly can for everyone to enjoy. Coupled with the inclusion of online high scores, and this has some replayability to say the least.
The game is designed super well to enhance the simple quality of it. It’s all done on lined paper, with items seemingly drawn in by crayon. It just works so well in its simplicity. The bouncing animations are great from your car bouncing, flipping over, and getting squished.
The soundtrack is an absolute masterpiece, so much so that I tried to download the songs from the game just to add to my ipod. Then there are the boings, and such in playing a jelly environment.
