Skullmonkeys
Encyclopedia
Skullmonkeys is the sequel to the video game, The Neverhood
, created by animator Doug TenNapel
. Rather than being a PC
adventure game
like its predecessor, it is a platform game
for the PlayStation. The setting of it came from a place described in The Neverhood Hall of Records in the Neverhood by one of the other god-like beings (like Hoborg) created by Quater. Terry Scott Taylor
, the composer of first game, again did the soundtrack. PlayStation Magazine
reviewer called the music of the game as the best game music he has ever heard.
you control Klaymen, a resident of the Neverhood who is kidnapped in order to prevent the destruction of the Neverhood. Your character can jump, duck, look up, and grab a wide range of items such as a halo (allowing him to withstand more than one hit) and a wide range of quirky and crude projectile weapons. Aside from the assortment of weapons, you can destroy many enemies and bosses by jumping on them, and there are several secret levels (set to 1970s easy-listening music) where you can collect bonus points and extra lives. The levels are in a sidescrolling format, unlike the point and click format of The Neverhood
.
Throughout each of the levels, you can collect clay balls to earn points and an extra life and several bosses are stationed throughout the game to be defeated. The game was noted for being hard to complete, but the game's password feature keeps things from being unreasonably difficult.
or the number of successful platform games produced by Virgin Software.
The Neverhood
The Neverhood is a 1996 PC CD-ROM adventure video game created by animator Doug TenNapel and released by DreamWorks Studios. It features claymation graphics and music by composer Terry Scott Taylor...
, created by animator Doug TenNapel
Doug TenNapel
Douglas Richard "Doug" TenNapel is an American musician, animator, Eisner Award-winning artist, author, essayist and Christian. He is best known for creating Earthworm Jim, a character that spawned a famous video game, cartoon series, and toy line.-Early life:TenNapel was born and raised in the...
. Rather than being a PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
adventure game
Adventure game
An adventure game is a video game in which the player assumes the role of protagonist in an interactive story driven by exploration and puzzle-solving instead of physical challenge. The genre's focus on story allows it to draw heavily from other narrative-based media such as literature and film,...
like its predecessor, it is a platform game
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
for the PlayStation. The setting of it came from a place described in The Neverhood Hall of Records in the Neverhood by one of the other god-like beings (like Hoborg) created by Quater. Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies . Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative music group, Lost Dogs. He is currently based in San Jose, California, USA.Taylor is highly regarded for...
, the composer of first game, again did the soundtrack. PlayStation Magazine
PlayStation: The Official Magazine
PlayStation: The Official Magazine is a magazine originally known as PlayStation Magazine . After Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine was canceled, Sony Computer Entertainment announced on October 1, 2007 that PSM would become "PlayStation: The Official Magazine"...
reviewer called the music of the game as the best game music he has ever heard.
Plot
The evil Klogg was banished from The Neverhood at the end of the first game, but has now ended up on a planet ruled by creatures known as Skullmonkeys. Klogg becomes their leader and sets off to make "Evil engine number 9" to destroy the Neverhood, while Klaymen is brought onto the scene to stop him. In the single-player platform gamePlatform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
you control Klaymen, a resident of the Neverhood who is kidnapped in order to prevent the destruction of the Neverhood. Your character can jump, duck, look up, and grab a wide range of items such as a halo (allowing him to withstand more than one hit) and a wide range of quirky and crude projectile weapons. Aside from the assortment of weapons, you can destroy many enemies and bosses by jumping on them, and there are several secret levels (set to 1970s easy-listening music) where you can collect bonus points and extra lives. The levels are in a sidescrolling format, unlike the point and click format of The Neverhood
The Neverhood
The Neverhood is a 1996 PC CD-ROM adventure video game created by animator Doug TenNapel and released by DreamWorks Studios. It features claymation graphics and music by composer Terry Scott Taylor...
.
Throughout each of the levels, you can collect clay balls to earn points and an extra life and several bosses are stationed throughout the game to be defeated. The game was noted for being hard to complete, but the game's password feature keeps things from being unreasonably difficult.
Reception
The game was widely praised for its graphics, music, sound, and humor. Many video game websites panned it for its high difficulty, replacing the saves with passwords and technical problems which affected its playability, though some video game critics compared the game favorably to other successful platform games such as Earthworm JimEarthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim is a run and gun platform video game starring an earthworm named Jim in a robotic suit who battles evil. Created by Doug TenNapel and designed by David Perry, the game was developed by Shiny Entertainment and Playmates Interactive Entertainment, released by Sega for the Mega...
or the number of successful platform games produced by Virgin Software.
External links
- All About the NeverhoOd
- The Neverhood TV
- Skullmonkeys at AllgameAllgameAllgame is a commercial database of information about arcade games, video games and console manufacturers.Allgame is owned by All Media Guide, along with Allmusic and Allmovie....