by Adrienne Brunner

Created on: September 13, 2008   Last Updated: September 17, 2008

Farm Frenzy 2
Alawar Entertainment
3/5

The sequel to Farm Frenzy, Farm Frenzy 2 offers better graphics, interesting sounds, and fun animals to own and manage and yet still frustrates the average gamer with some of the game play.

With the full version containing 12 different buildings the player can own, 19 awards to earn and other "secret gags" to find, the game promises a fun time with a bit of time management thrown in. Although it is a challenge to keep enough water in the trough to grow enough grass to keep the chickens alive, there are frustrations when purchasing different types of buildings or moneymaking ventures.

Players face obstacles such as chicken-throwing bears, lack of water, not enough grass, a full storage shed and other challenges to overcome to earn gold or silver trophies and get better times in the levels. Levels can be replayed, allowing the player to earn more money and also try again for a better time or trophy. The level map shows the player his location and where he could be going next.

In between levels, the player has the option to purchase new or upgraded buildings, such as egg powder or cake making. However, the player pays for this with his gold pieces earned from selling items at the market, but when back in game play mode on a level, the player still has to pay to set the building up, making it seem as though each building is paid for twice.

The fun animal sounds, such as chickens squawking when they are mad or bears coming to attack, along with the squishy water sounds when purchasing more water do add to the fun, lighthearted music of the game. Sounds can also be adjusted in the options menu. The music when a level is completed is fun and bright sounding, assuring the player that the goal was reached.

The tutorials are well done and simple, and the truck tracker, which tells the player how soon it will return from the market, is better than in the original version. The game does offer upgrades such as bigger trucks, buildings which make more powdered eggs at a time, etc.

Although this game is fun and can interest children and adults, it does not have enough changes or new creative ideas to interest or addict players to the new version for the most part. The graphics are fun and cute, and the sounds are appropriate, but due to some frustrations in the game play and the lack of innovative new ideas, this game receives only a 3/5 and would not tempt me to purchase it, especially if I had already purchased the original, as it is not worth the price to upgrade for the minimal improvements.

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