I finally got my hands on Exit 2, the European release. I didn’t get the import version I tipped PSP Fanboy about some time ago because I prefer the english version of the game. I’ve only played it for some minutes, maybe an hour, taking the tutorial to see what’s new and to refresh my memory (I had forgotten some things).

If you wish to read my first look on the game, click on the “more” link below.

First things first: you might be wondering what has changed. Well, the biggest change, or at least the most noticeable is the color. The first Exit’s main color was yellow, remember? Well, this time is some mix of violet, purple and rose you can clearly see every where: from the UMD box, to the skyes in the game, but not in the interiors: they remained the same color, which is better. In other words, everything that used to be yellow is now replaced by that color (whose exact name I don’t know), but, as expected, the game’s stylish art remains the same.

That’s the new color.

Other cosmetic changes include Mr. Esc’s outfit. He’s changed from the conventional clothes to some kind of coat, or cape, or whatever that is. Personnaly, I like it better this way. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know.

Before (above) and after (below).

Away from the cosmetic changes, let’s see the actual game changes, those who affect gameplay. Let’s break that by parts:

Controls: They are pretty much the same: you move with the d-pad, control the cursor with the analog nub, jump with the x button, etc. One little detail though (and I don’t know if it’s a change, I don’t really remember) is that you can exchange items with fellow escapees by pressing the square button. Leaving that aside, they are the same simple to use controls from the first Exit game.

Companions: In the first Exit, there were 3 types of companions, each one with different abilities and disabilities: the kids, the young adults, and the adults. However, in Exit 2, there are both those from the original Exit plus two more: the “Macho”, who is as strong as the adults and nearly as flexible as Mr. Esc, but with limited horizontal jumping and a big body (due to his muscles) which prevents him from crawling, and the “Dog”, the only animal in the game. The dog can perform huge horizontal jumps, swim (but not dive), crawl like the kids, and take objects. Even if he cannot use them, he can take them back to you.

Theres the macho(above) and the dog (below)

Mr. Esc’s best friend. He’s obidient and loyal too!

Items and accessories: As of now, I have not seen any new accesories, exept for new metal boxes, and a barrel that can role until it fills a hole., which can be seen below.

Other changes: Two other changes have been made to the game: the online interface for downloading games, and the “Options” menu.

• Downloading levels: The interface is still nice, clean and easy to use, but I think they put too much of the new color in it. It bothers me sometimes.

• Options Menu: Audio settings: In the audio settings menu, there is the typical BGM volume, Sound Effects volume, the restore default settings button, but, there is now a music player! Apparently you can unlock songs by completing levels, which seams to be a total of 16 songs for the 16 non-downloadable tracks. If you click play you will listen to the playlist and control the playback mode, foward, backwards, etc. When I saw it I got really exited thinking it was like the custom tracks in the GTA games, but it’s OK, it’s still cool.

The first song is called “Trouble Maker”. It’s not bad.

Up to now, those are all the changes I have seen. To make it short, the big changes are:

1. Cosmetic changes (the color, clothing, etc.)
2. Two new companions: the “Macho” and the “Dog”.
3. The music player.
4. The online interface.
5. Of course, the levels.

Up to now I like the game, and I look foward to play it more so that I can completely review it. If you want to see other screenshots, visit my Flickr stream by clicking here.

Exit 2 Screenshots taken with a 3.xx OE custom firmware plugin. Exit 1 screenshots taken from the IGN (I don’t have it anymore…) You can use my images, but please inform me first.