Lost in Blue 2

Infobox VG
title = Lost in Blue 2


developer = Konami
publisher = Konami
distributor =
designer =
released =
genre = Simulation game
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: E10+
OFLC: G
platforms = Nintendo DS
media = Nintendo DS Game Card

"Lost in Blue 2" is a simulation video game published and developed by Konami for the Nintendo DS handheld video game console. It is the sequel to "Lost in Blue" (also for the Nintendo DS), another game in the "Survival Kids" series. The game was followed-up by a third installment in the series, "Lost in Blue 3".

tory

The main characters are Jack and Amy, two young teenagers who have been shipwrecked on a deserted island. The player chooses to be either Jack, the boy character, or Amy, the girl character. The player takes on most of the responsibilities of the camp, but they are able to request favors of their partner, such as cooking, making rope from vines, or collecting firewood. Each gender has special skills, e.g., Jack is able to climb twice as high as his female companion and is better at fighting enemies, and is better at cooking. Amy is better at swimming, gathering food and hunting animals.

Gameplay

The entire game can be played with the touch screen, or a combination of buttons and the touch screen. The bottom screen shows an isometric view of the area as the player moves their character around the environment. It is also used in minigames for cooking, hunting, making furniture, fishing, shaking trees, and digging in the dirt, and other tasks.

The top screen has three display modes. Mode one displays the overall health of both characters. This is shown by a total of four gauges. Three of them display stamina, hunger, and thirst. When one or more of those three reaches 0%, a health gauge begins to deplete which will result in that character's death upon reaching 0%. Mode two displays the map of the character's current location and includes the locations of both characters. Mode three is a picture of the island covered in fog, and the more the island is explored, the more the fog disappears until the whole island is revealed.

Plot

A short cut scene plays, showing your character on a sinking ship. You have the option to search your suitcase, your closet, or the table. You gain something from choosing one of them, but it can sometimes be unclear what. After the cut scene, your character (Amy or Jack, depending whom you choose at the start of the game) wakes up on the beach. (This part is similar to a cut scene in that the characters on the screen are moving and speaking without your control, but is illustrated just like the actual game, not like the cell-shaded opening. These "auto-scenes" occur whenever you hit an important turning point in the game.) Your character says that he/she should look for survivors. At this point, game play begins and you are free to wander the beach. At a certain point, you will be near enough to the partner character, and an auto-scene will introduce the two of you.

Your first goals are to find food, shelter, and water. Once you find shelter in a nearby cave, your next few days are spent gathering enough food, water, and firewood to survive each day's labors. After several days of gameplay, you will be able to start exploring your surroundings and finding the different areas of the island. Along your journey you will fish, hunt game, build furniture, build a treehouse, develop several different tools, explore myriad cooking methods, and gather items from the beach, jungle, forest, and grasslands. You must also fight/avoid enemies like wolves, snakes, spiders, tigers, crocodiles, and gorillas. The eventual goal is, of course, rescue.

The game provides several different ending scenarios that depend upon the actions you take during the game, such as being saved by a helicopter. If your character's health meter reaches zero, you will die and your game will be over. However, there are several ways to get rescued, such as by radio or helicopter, but there is no time limit to the game. Theoretically, one could play the game endlessly, not seeking rescue, but rather spending the rest of their days on the island.

Reception

* C - 1UP.com [ [http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3158677 Lost in Blue 2 DS Review Index, Lost in Blue 2 Nintendo DS Reviews ] ]
* 6.2/10 - GameSpot [ [http://www.gamespot.com/ds/adventure/lostinblue2/review.html Lost in Blue 2 for DS Review - DS Lost in Blue 2 Review ] ]
* 5.5/10 - IGN [ [http://ds.ign.com/articles/778/778496p1.html IGN: Lost in Blue 2 Review ] ]
* 6.5/10 - "Game Informer" [ [http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/34E4682D-2CF5-47B5-B40C-906AC5BDAFD8.htm Game Informer Online ] ]
* 5/10 - Edge Magazine

References

External links

* [http://www.konami.com/Konami/ctl3810/cp20104/si2288017/cl1/lost_in_blue_2_with_bonus_stylus_and_screen_wipe Official website]