This Dreamcast-exclusive sequel to Crazy Taxi is based in a pseudo-New York (it looks nothing like New York at all). It contains new features like multiple people that can get into your car at once and also a button that allows you to jump, anytime, anywhere. This game is rated "T" for Teen, due to profanity and possibly offensive song lyrics.
The scoring system is once more the all-too-familiar 0-4 star scale. I will be doing my classic +, -, and = system after each category, comparing this game to the original Crazy Taxi. A + indicates improvement in this one, and a - indicates a downgrade, while a = means no change.
Graphics: ***
I was never impressed with the so-called 128-bit graphics of the Dreamcast, but for once, a game stretched the graphic capability of the DC to its limit. The cars look nice and crisp, the roads and bridges look fine, as do any tall buildings. Some things were not improved from the original, namely the ugly-looking people and the smaller buildings. Still, the graphics are good overall. (+)
Sound: 1/2
I was a huge fan of the music in the original Crazy Taxi, but this soundtrack disappointed me. It's loud, annoying, and not pleasing to hear. I'm more of one who prefers music with an actual melody, or at least with some type of general tune. I don't like this stupid yelling and screaming and banging on drums. It sounds like people went on a riot in a bathroom. The only sound that's good is the people yelling at you in the car. Otherwise, it stinks. Unless you love this messed-up music, turn it off on the menu so you can keep your sanity. (-)
Difficulty: **1/2
This game is a lot harder than the original Crazy Taxi, which I thought was a little too easy. The mini-games are harder, though not too hard, and trying to get multiple people at once is way too hard. However, the game is still not that hard overall, but at least you'll get somewhat of a challenge. At least you'll get more of a challenge than in the original, which was too much of a breeze. (+)
Characters: no stars
I would have talked about the characters in the beginning of this Review, but they're so stupid and forgettable that I can't care less about them. The game should have brought back the four original characters for this game, or at least the awesome Gus. None of them are any funny. Okay, maybe there is a little bit of humor involved when I completely make fun of them, but that's about it. (-)
Controls: **1/2
I like the trigger brake-gas controls,
which were in the original, but the new feature that I like is the Y
button jump. It's easy to hit and learn,
not to mention the X button horn. Unfortunately, I get easily
confused between the drive and reverse
controls, as with the jump and horn buttons. It's not much, but enough
to hurt you in a last-second situation, which could mean $200. (=)
Tricks: ***1/2
Here's a huge improvement off the original game. Not only is the Crazy Dash easier to do in this game, but the Crazy Jump has been added with the simple push of one button. You can jump over lots of obstacles and onto roofs of buildings. It's a fantastic addition to CT2, and one that made this game worthwhile. (+)
Tracks: *1/2
The place this game takes place in really isn't as fun as the original. You don't have the trolley, subway, and train experiences, only lots of traffic. I like some of the road features, but there isn't as much interactivity with other vehicles, like in the original. If you want the real driving experience, CT is a better choice. (-)
Crazy Pyramid: ***1/2
This is a great addition to the original Crazy Box. This is 15 mini-games, and you must win two connecting ones to unlock the mini-game in between the space above them. They are much bigger and better challenges than in the original Crazy Box, and it's probably the best mode in this game. (+)
Replayability: *1/2
This game gets old too quickly, unlike the original CT. The tracks are uninviting, and they don't give you that much fun. The Crazy Pyramid saves this score from looking really bad. (-)
Fun Factor!: *
This game lacks some of the most fun
things in CT, like pushing other cars into water, driving
underwater, wrecking the subway and
the train, messing up the trolley, and so on. The Crazy Pyramid is a lot
of fun, but that's about all. (-)
OVERALL: **
Although this game is pretty good on the technical side, it lacks the fun factor and good tracks needed to make this more than a mediocre game. It's really worth a rent, but you shouldn't buy it, except for cheap, maybe $10 or less. I'm a huge fan of Crazy Taxi (which redefined "city driving" in games before Grand Theft Auto 3), and I was greatly disappointed by this one. It's a shame, too, because this could have made Crazy Taxi an all-star series. Instead, it makes the series start to look more mediocre than good. (-)
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