Overview
Planet Of Cartomans 2 delivers a dose of chaotic South Park fan service wrapped in a classic 2D platformer, though its execution leaves room for improvement. This freeware sequel throws players into a ridiculous battle against an army of Eric Cartman clones, offering solid run-and-gun action that resonates with franchise fans despite technical limitations. The game's charm lies in its authentic South Park premise and surprisingly substantial content, though dated presentation and some frustrating design choices prevent it from reaching greatness.
The story behind Planet Of Cartmans 2 is that the evil, fat Eric Cartman from South Park has re-released his Cartmanite virus upon the world.
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Authentic South Park Mayhem
The game's strongest appeal comes from its faithful South Park setting and humor. Players control Stan, Kenny, and Wendy through 30 levels of Cartman-clone carnage, complete with boss battles against enhanced versions of the foul-mouthed antagonist. Each character's unique abilities add welcome variety to the platforming action, while the absurd premise of a Cartman-spreading virus captures the show's signature satirical style. This authenticity transforms what could be a generic shooter into a love letter for South Park enthusiasts who'll overlook rough edges for the chance to battle an army of Cartmans.
Solid Platforming with Frustrating Setbacks
Gameplay delivers classic run-jump-shoot action with eight different weapons to discover, from blaster guns to shotguns and grenades. The challenge escalates satisfyingly through the campaign, especially during the boss battles that occur every fourth level. However, a significant frustration emerges from the checkpoint system - dying sends players back to the very beginning of the level with no progress saved. This punishing approach feels unnecessarily harsh in a game with otherwise accessible mechanics, turning challenging moments into tedious slogs through previously cleared sections.
Technical Limitations
Visually, the game's 2D presentation shows its age with basic sprite work and environments that lack detail. While functional and occasionally charming in its simplicity, the graphics fall short of modern standards even for freeware titles. Sound design receives similar criticism, described as unremarkable and failing to enhance the action. These technical shortcomings are somewhat offset by flexible display options, including both windowed and full-screen modes, but remain noticeable throughout the experience.
Verdict
Faithful South Park chaos with frustrating checkpoint woes