Joe Danger 2: The Movie PSN review

A month or so ago, Hello Games released Joe Danger 2: The Movie for Xbox Live Arcade, bringing the show-off stuntman back for more shenanigans, this time in a Hollywood setting.  At the time, we were wondering if Hello Games was sticking exclusively with that platform, and neglecting where Danger got his start in the first place.  We're happy to say that the developer has answered that question by delivering a "director's cut" of Joe Danger 2 to the PSN, doing the very opposite of what they did with the original game.  Which is a nice trade-off, if you think about it.

All of the levels from the original Xbox Live game are here, allowing you to master a number of vehicles across various stages.  One minute you're riding in a mine cart ala Indiana Jones; the next, you're zooming around James Bond-style in a jet pack, while avoiding enemies.  Other vehicles make their way into the game as well, but all of them rely on the same left-to-right movement throughout, as you perform tricks, overcome obstacles and shoot for the best time possible, while collecting stars, D-A-N-G-E-R letters, and other goodies.

Along with a single player campaign, Joe Danger 2: The Movie also features competitive leaderboards, as well as "ghost" racers who compete against your best times, mainly taken from your friend's list.  If you prefer direct competition, you can also race against others in local co-op, though, really, it feels like more of a tacked-on feature than anything.  The single player has more than enough to get you through it, at least.

But the real thing of interest here is the PlayStation Network-exclusive "director's cut" content, a series of new levels and deleted scenes to play through that are much more challenging than the previously offered stages.  Not everyone will get through these, as they require the kind of maddening dexterity normally left aside for hardcore players.  Still, this is some pretty slick content, and the more you're into the series, the more fun you'll have.

The level editor also returns, and it's very robust, allowing you to create your own stunt runs and share them with others, or see what your friends have put together.  Though not as in-depth as, say, LittleBigPlanet, it sure is fun.

The controls for Joe Danger 2 offer no genuine surprises, despite the new vehicles, but if you're a fan of the first game, you'll feel right at home here with performing stunts, loop-de-loops and turbo boosts to get the best score possible.  This is definitely something that caters to retro fans of old, though contemporary players will have fun as well.

Though the presentation doesn't go leaps and bounds over the first game, Hello Games continues to impress with lively, brought-to-life cartoon levels, ranging from lava-filled mountains to snowy runs through a ski resort.  The jungle levels are quite a sight too, especially when animals start popping up to ruin your run.  You can't skip past the director replays, but sometimes you just want to revel in your work anyway, you know?

As for the sound, the music is pleasant and fun to listen to, and most of the sound effects click.  The one that didn't, however, was the director, who just doesn't know when to shut up.  Really.

Joe Danger 2: The Movie has more of an advantage on PS3 than on Xbox Live, mainly because of the additional content, thrown in for no extra charge.  (Nice to see a developer that doesn't have such a heavy reliance on DLC gouging.)  It's got its flaws, but at the end of the day, you'll welcome this stuntman's return with open arms.  Even if they're in casts.