DreamWorks Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is a fun platformer, definitely aimed at younger gamers and fans of the series.

Cap that off with a tournament-style four-player option that runs through competitive versions of a selection of the mini-games, and you're looking at a package that's an easy recommendation for gaming families.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is yet another fine example of how to make a game appeal to a younger audience without the expense of good gameplay.

Lots of variety and funny cutscenes make the second Madagascar game a good reason to escape to Africa.

Heck, even those that are an older audience will have a hard time faulting the game, for its presentation and scope of gameplay are quite nice.

The mini-games turned out to be better than the platforming aspects of the single-player campaign. Their fresh and original in comparison to other licensed video games based on animated films.

For fans of the movie, Xbox 360 owners, and kids alike, Madagascar 2 is a perfect weekend rental, and to some diehards it may even warrant a purchase.

Older kids will undoubtedly roll their eyes at this harmless sequel, but its simple platforming hub and dozens of unpredictable mini-game spokes cater nicely to youngsters with short attention spans. [Jan 2009, p.75]

Brilliant fun, humorous and entertaining without being condescending to its audience. [Issue#41, p.97]

It also lacks a great deal of fun, a key ingredient which the developers ignored while opting to add in a host of monotonous mini-games instead.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa certainly isn't the best game of the year, but it's not a bad game for kids who enjoyed the film series.

Once again a game based on a movie and once again the licenses are exploited without mercy. Basically Madagascar 2 is a game children will be fond of. Also it is one of the few child-compatible games for the Xbox 360.

E2A is a game you should stay away from, but parents will buy this for there kids anyway because they know what they are getting: a non-violent children’s game.

Having experienced every facet of Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, it becomes readily apparent that its essence as a platformer has been haphazardly mashed together with a party game.

Madagascar offers what you'd expect from it - fun entertainment for the young ones. There's a lot of variation and the controls actually work really well, a not to common feat amongst movie tie in games. There are flaws to be found though, the game is far too short and the gameplay is a bit too simple. This isn't a game that will inspire you to play it through a second time, but the first time around will be pleasing enough.

Bright and fun, but feels a bit 'budget'.

So, as long as you’re between the ages of 6 and 9 (or you’re buying/renting for such a person) you’ll likely have some fun with Madagascar : Escape 2 Africa.

Honestly, this truly is one of those kids only games.

There isn’t much left to say about Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. It’s a kids-only game in my book, but a decent kid-friendly game that shouldn’t frustrate the younger player.

No matter how you look at it, Escape 2 Africa just isn't a good game. You'd be better served by diverting your attention to the virtually countless, fantastic titles that have hit retail in the last few months. Leave Alex and co. on the shelf.

It's a ridiculously easy game, and doesn't take a whole lot of time to finish off the single player mode. While I do appreciate that the mini-games are somewhat fresh and definitely varied, they're hardly going to keep anyone's attention for very long, even the younger players that this might appeal to.