Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Prehistorik 2 builds directly on the run-and-club action of its predecessor, offering tight, responsive controls that make every leap and swing feel deliberate. The hero wields his trusty club with satisfying weight, allowing you to pound enemies and break blocks in quick succession. Levels are designed around this core mechanic, balancing open platforming segments with tight corridors where timing your swings is crucial.

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Rather than forcing you to hunt a strict food quota to feed your clan, Prehistorik 2 removes the minimum-food requirement and instead focuses on exploration and item collection. Many fallen foes cough up coins or food, but the real treats are hidden off the beaten path—secret alcoves, destructible walls, and cleverly concealed platforms all hide bonus items. Replaying stages to uncover every nook and cranny becomes a rewarding puzzle in itself.

Adding further depth, each level hides passwords scrawled on walls or dropped by bosses. These passwords differ on every machine, encouraging you to write them down as you go. With multiple exits, branching paths and secret levels tucked away behind false walls, the game strikes a perfect balance between straightforward platforming and Metroid-style discovery.

Graphics

On the Amstrad CPC Plus—where Prehistorik 2 truly shines—developers push the hardware to its limits with full parallax scrolling and an expanded palette. Layers of distant hills, swirling clouds and crackling lava rivers move independently, giving each stage a rich sense of depth. Sprites are crisp and colourful, with charming animations that bring every caveman, dinosaur and woolly mammoth to life.

Each environment—from lush forests to volcanic wastelands—boasts a distinct visual identity. The game’s use of bright, saturated tones not only maximises the CPC Plus specs, but also helps you instantly distinguish platforms, hazards and hidden passageways. Enemy designs are playful yet varied: feathered reptiles hop, spiky insects scuttle, and massive bosses lumber into view with clear telegraphed attacks.

Even in crowded screens, performance remains smooth, with no noticeable slowdowns as you clear enemies and collect dozens of on-screen items. Background details, like drifting embers or falling rocks, never distract from the action but enhance the prehistoric atmosphere. In short, Prehistorik 2 looks and runs like a showcase title for the CPC Plus line.

Story

Following directly on from the end of Prehistorik, the sequel picks up with our intrepid caveman hero still hungry for adventure—and, of course, mammoth steaks. While the narrative remains light and tongue-in-cheek, it provides just enough context to justify your relentless clubbing spree across dozens of perilous stages.

Rather than elaborate cutscenes, Prehistorik 2 sprinkles in short gags and set-piece encounters to advance the plot. Boss fights at the end of each world feel like mini-chapters: you’re not just smashing generic enemies but confronting the rival mammoth clan, rampaging pterodactyls or the fearsome Stone Age sorcerer. These encounters break up the platforming rhythm and reinforce the sense of an unfolding prehistoric saga.

Dialogue is minimal and conveyed through speech bubbles, but every exchange oozes cartoonish charm. You’ll find yourself smiling at the hero’s goofy triumphs and the exaggerated jaw-dropping reactions of your prehistoric foes. It’s an unapologetically fun story that never takes itself too seriously, matching the game’s upbeat pace and colourful world.

Overall Experience

Prehistorik 2 is more than a nostalgic throwback; it stands on its own as a finely tuned platformer loaded with secrets. Its blend of straightforward club-bashing action and Metroid-style exploration keeps you engaged over multiple play sessions. Whether you’re a completionist hunting every hidden level or a casual player barreling toward the final boss, there’s a steady stream of rewards and surprises to discover.

The difficulty curve is well-judged: early stages ease you into basic jumps and swings, while later levels demand precision, pattern-recognition and sometimes a bit of trial-and-error. Occasional checkpoints and the password system prevent frustration, ensuring that a single misstep doesn’t force you to replay too much. Boss battles feel epic without ever overstaying their welcome.

All told, Prehistorik 2 offers a rich package of gameplay, visuals and lighthearted storytelling. Its technical polish on the CPC Plus makes it a standout on that platform, but the core design translates beautifully to any system. For fans of retro platformers or anyone seeking a charming, secret-filled adventure, Prehistorik 2 remains an essential journey back to the Stone Age.

Retro Replay Score

7.7/10