Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now explained

Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now
Developer:Stainless Games
Aqua Pacific (PS1/GBC)
Software Creations (N64)
Producer:Darren Barnett
Designer:Patrick Buckland
Neil Barnden
Programmer:Patrick Buckland
Artist:Neil Barnden
Composer:Iron Maiden
Sentience
Allister Brimble (GBC)
Engine:Blazing Renderer
Modes:Single-player
Genre:Vehicular combat, racing
Platforms:Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color

Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now is a vehicular combat video game, the sequel to Carmageddon, and released in 1998 for Microsoft Windows. The game was developed by Stainless Games and published by Sales Curve Interactive in Europe and Interplay Entertainment in North America. Ports for Mac OS, PlayStation and Nintendo 64 (the latter as Carmageddon 64) were released in 1999. A 2D version for the Game Boy Color was released in Europe in 1999, and in North America in 2000 as Carmageddon.

Gameplay

Like its predecessor, Carmageddon II was subject to criticism for the level of violence portrayed in the game. It is rated 15+ by ELSPA. In some countries, the pedestrians (and animals) are zombies, and blood is turned to green slime, while in Germany, aliens replaced the pedestrians. Internet-released 'blood patches' restore the original human pedestrians. The blood pack was later released in the United Kingdom in 1999, earning the game an 18 certificate.[1]

Carmageddon II was the first Carmageddon game to feature hardware acceleration, this was used for the higher quality damage models and higher quality levels.

Carmageddon II features new damage models for the vehicles, this includes car bodywork damage such as fenders and vehicle spoilers. Cars can also be split in half, instantly wasting them, but only if it is not repaired before it touches terrain.

Unlike the first game, Carmageddon II does not have "stealworthy cars", which are cars that have a chance to be taken if wrecked in a race and instead any car wrecked can be purchased.

Reception

The PC version received "favorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator GameRankings, while the console versions received much lower scores.

Official UK PlayStation Magazine was scathing of the gameplay of the PlayStation version, saying that "no amount of pureed pedestrian can cover its faults." The Nintendo 64 port was ill-received, being N64 Magazines lowest rated game at 8% from 1999 till 2004.[2] Hyper, on the other hand, gave the same port 85%, calling it "a success, and probably more suited to the Nintendo 64 than it ever was on the PC, as this is big arcade-style silly action."[3]

Carmageddon 64 was nominated for the "Worst Game" award at GameSpots Best and Worst of 2000 Awards, which went to Spirit of Speed 1937.[4] Carmageddon II (PC) was included in the retrospective book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die, which was originally published in 2010.[5]

Music

The game features a heavy metal soundtrack. Four original songs by Iron Maiden are included:

Music by Sentience is also used.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: But it's only a game... . Burgess . Andrew . . Independent Digital News & Media Ltd . November 16, 1998 . April 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200319060849/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/but-its-only-a-game-1185292.html . March 19, 2020 . live.
  2. Carmageddon 64 . Weaver . Tim . . Future Publishing . 36 . Christmas 1999 . 62 . April 25, 2021.
  3. Carmageddon 64 . Dry . Frank . . . 69 . July 1999 . 45 . April 25, 2021.
  4. Web site: Best and Worst of 2000 (Worst Game Runners-Up) . GameSpot staff . GameSpot . . January 5, 2001 . December 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010628131024/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2000/p5_04.html . June 28, 2001 . dead.
  5. Book: Mott, Tony . 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die . 356 . 2010 . 978-0-7893-2090-2.
  6. Web site: Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now . . . September 20, 2020.