Chuckie Egg 2
| Industry | Video game development and publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Chuckie Egg 2, Chuckie Egg |
Chuckie Egg 2, released in 1985, serves as the follow-up to the 1983 title Chuckie Egg. Retaining the main character, Henhouse Harry, this sequel broadens the gameplay experience from the original’s single-screen setup to an extensive factory environment. Players are tasked with creating a chocolate egg filled with toys by combining sugar, milk, and cocoa powder, and then transporting it to a dispatch truck. Once this objective is achieved, the cycle recommences featuring new adversaries and different toy items.
Gameplay
The game encompasses 120 individual screens arranged in a 10 by 12 grid formation. Certain moving elements pose lethal threats, while others cause Harry to bounce unpredictably. The factory is segmented into distinct themed zones: an icy section dedicated to milk, a purple area inhabited by monkeys representing cocoa, an industrial blue zone for sugar, and a brick-themed sector reminiscent of the original game where the toy is located. The egg assembly machine requires all ingredients plus the toy to function and is situated within a perilous zone characterized by slippery pipes.
Connecting corridors serve as transitions between these zones, allowing players to bypass some areas due to the non-linear design. After successfully delivering the egg, the game restarts with fresh monsters and toy options such as a motorbike, classic car, yacht, and space shuttle.
Points are accumulated by exploring new screens and collecting various items including fruits, tools, and eggs. The scoring system varies depending on the screen and play session.
Development
Nigel Alderton, who developed the original Chuckie Egg, initiated work on a sequel inspired by Mr. Do!, which ultimately remained unfinished. Following Alderton’s move to Ocean Software, A&F Software redirected development along a different path.
To market Chuckie Egg 2, A&F organized a competition featuring regional qualifiers culminating in a national final judged by Crash magazine. Prizes included silver and gold egglets alongside cash rewards up to £500. The identity of the contest winner has not been publicly disclosed.
Release and ports
Initially distributed on cassette by A&F Software for platforms including Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and Commodore 64, Chuckie Egg 2 was priced at GBP£6.90.
Subsequently, it appeared in Virgin Games' compilation Now Games 2, which also contained titles like Airwolf, Cauldron, Tir Na Nog, and World Cup Football.
In 1988, versions for Amiga and Atari ST were released.
Reception
Reviews at the time presented mixed opinions.
In issue 24 of Crash, it was noted that although Chuckie Egg 2 lacked some of the original’s addictive charm, it still delivered diverse platforming and adventure elements appealing to fans. The magazine awarded it an 81% rating, slightly surpassing its predecessor’s score.
Sinclair User issue 39 remarked that the game leaned heavily on familiar genre tropes, some originally introduced by A&F themselves. They praised enhancements in gameplay such as eliminating the requirement to clear every screen before moving forward, resulting in a more intricate maze of exits and entrances.
According to CPC Zone, despite being less captivating than its forerunner, Chuckie Egg 2 remains a worthwhile experience for enthusiasts of platformers like Jet Set Willy.
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