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1[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/9006_cover.jpeg]]
2[[caption-width-right:350:[[IJustWantToBeNormal Kurt Hectic never wanted to be a hero.]]]]
3
4''[=MDK2=]'' is the direct sequel to the original ''VideoGame/{{MDK}}'' released in 2000 by established RPG developer Creator/BioWare Corp. of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and was released for the Dreamcast and PC originally, but was eventually re released for the [=PS2=] as ''[=MDK2=]'': Armageddon.[[http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/05/nintendo_download_9th_may_2011_north_america The game was re-released on WiiWare,]] and an UpdatedRerelease was also released for the PC.
5
6''[=MDK2=]'' begins right where the last game left off, where reluctant Hero Kurt Hectic -- a janitor employed aboard Dr. Fluke Hawkins' [[SpaceStation orbital space station]], the ''Jim Dandy'' -- is sent to deal with the last minecrawler in Canada instead of enjoying his well-earned break from fighting off the last batch of minecrawlers. After killing the pilot, Kurt is promptly kidnapped by a rather huge alien called [[TheDragon Shwang Shwing.]] From here, the characters Kurt Hectic, Fluke Hawkins, and Hawkins's assistant/guard -- a six-legged, bipedal robotic dog named Max -- take turns saving one another, until they finally confront the [[TheHedonist Emperor of the alien empire, Zizzy Balooba]].
7
8Each of the three characters has a different style of play, such as:
9* Kurt Hectic relies on his Ribbon Chute and sniper rifle/chaingun to move through the levels, with emphasis placed upon tricky sniping and a mix of firepower, puzzles, and large, open platforming segments.
10* Max places emphasis on raw firepower, able to wield a gun in each paw [[GunsAkimbo for a total of 4 guns]]. Max's levels consist of getting from A to B, utilizing his guns for clearing rooms of enemies, broken up with a few vertical jetpack platforming areas. Unlike the other characters, he is able to destroy barricades (and certain walls) just by shooting them up. His playing style means that he is more than likely to be surrounded and attacked, but he has a much higher health bar when compared to the other two characters (200%, compared to Kurt's 100% and Hawkins' 60% health)
11* Hawkins' are more of the smarts variety, and are quite humorous when compared to the other two characters, relying on combining items to form gadgets to fight/traverse through the stage and puzzles. His levels also rely on some tricky platforming.
12
13----
14!!''[=MDK2=]'' provides examples of:
15
16* AbnormalAmmo: Professor Hawkins' trademark Atomic Toaster, which fires...well, radioactive toast. Different bread types for different ammo.
17* AliensInCardiff: The target of the city minecrawler in the first mission is Edmonton. The aliens also attack Laguna Beach in the first game.
18* AlienInvasion: ''[=MDK2=]'' picks up where MDK leaves off, at the tail end of a crumbling alien invasion.
19* AliensSpeakingEnglish: Schwang Schwing, the BFB, [[spoiler: Emperor Zizzy Balooba]], and the Coneheads are all seen speaking fluent English. During Dr. Hawkins' first battle with [[spoiler: the BFB]], it's outright stated that he's read [[spoiler: the BFB's]] intergalactically-published research paper - apparently in English.
20* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs: In the middle third of the game, the ''[[SpaceStation Jim Dandy]]'' is boarded by aliens. It takes both Max and Dr. Hawkins to thwart their invasion.
21* AlmightyJanitor: Kurt Hectic, who is literally a janitor who prefers to shirk the eyes of the public. The only reason why he's strapped into a killing machine to kick alien ass is because he happened to be the only man fit for the job on-board Dr. Hawkins' space station. (Heck, in his ending, he returns to the Jim Dandy, despite garnering the attention of the entire Earth.)
22* AngelsPose: Occasionally used as the [=MDK2=] logo, and as part of the cover. Happens right before the heroes meet the final boss.
23* AntiFrustrationFeatures: The fourth and sixth boss were given markers to tell the player how to win. This help wasn't in the Dreamcast version, which can make defeating these bosses very confusing.
24* AppliedPhlebotinum: The Plutonium next to Kermit, the giant plant, is used to create the atomic toaster. It is used later on to turn Professor Hawkins [[spoiler: into Hyde]].
25%%* ArmCannon: Kurt's chaingun and sniper rifle. However, the sniper mode is him putting the gun into his helmet.
26* ArtisticLicenseSpace: After Dr. Hawkins depressurises a room, he survives in a complete vacuum by wearing a fishbowl on his head. [[RuleOfFunny Rule of funny reigns supreme.]]
27* AttackItsWeakPoint:
28** The Bif enemies have [[EyesDoNotBelongThere eyes in their belts]].[[GoForTheEye One good snipe]] from Kurt [[OneHitKill sends them down.]]
29** [[BoomHeadshot Headshots]] with the sniper work for the Bottrocks enemies.
30** Schwang Schwing is [[NoSell immune to weapon damage]] the first time you fight him. Beating him involves [[spoiler: shooting his sunglasses, then shooting his hand so he releases Max.]]
31* BadassBoast: Attempted by Dr. Hawkins.
32--> '''Dr. Hawkins''': ''(to Schwang Schwing)'' My ship is 100% impenetrable!
33--> ''([[EvilLaugh Schwang laughs]], followed by an explosion)''
34--> '''Computer''': Hull breach on observation deck. Intruder alert.
35--> '''Dr. Hawkins''': Well, it's... 99.9% im...penetrable. [[ThisIsGonnaSuck Oh, fudge.]]
36* BadassInDistress: Multiple times in sequence. A character will often finish a section only to be captured or trapped in a way that requires one of the other characters to go to the rescue, thus necessitating AndNowForSomeoneCompletelyDifferent.
37* BagOfSpilling: Characters lose their items between levels. Dr. Hawkins starts with a fixed inventory of items starting from his second level. Fluctuates between justified and completely ignored.
38* BlowYouAway: At one point, Dr. Hawkins has to use a [[spoiler: wearable leaf blower]] to blow aliens out of the tree lounge and into [[spoiler: Kermit's mouth]].
39* BombDisposal: Most of level 6, where [[spoiler: the BFB plants bombs all over the ''Jim Dandy'']].
40* BookEnds: The game begins and ends with narration over a [[MediaNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks comic]]-[[MediaNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks book]]-style prologue and epilogue. The player characters also have a brief exchange at the beginning and end of the game.
41-->'''Dr. Hawkins''': Yes, it's all over.
42-->'''Kurt''': Yeah... I'm... glad it's over.
43* BottomlessMagazines: One per character.
44** Kurt has his chaingun and normal sniper bullets. He can find temporary chaingun powerups, items, and special sniper ammunition.
45** Max has his normal Pistol, but... it's a pistol. Terrible fire rate, terrible damage. Instead, you're better off picking up the various ThrowAwayGuns lying around.
46** Hawkins has unlimited... well, toast, but he can find limited-use bread that fills the same role as Kurt's special ammo.
47* BottomlessPit: Numerous. There is at least one in every level.
48%%* CallingYourAttacks: The BFB.
49* CriticalExistenceFailure: Played straight for the most part. Particularly egregious during the [[spoiler: final boss battle]], when [[spoiler: you destroy Emperor Zizzy's internal organs with no signs of trauma from the outside.]] Averted with the Bottrocks enemies, who limp around, bleed, and attack less when they're at low health.
50* CurseCutShort: Max, when trying to deactivate the [[spoiler: Ultimate Doomsday Device]].
51--> '''Max''': [[OhCrap Oh, sh-!]]
52%%ZCE* CutsceneIncompetence: Each protagonist falls victim to this at some point or another. Usually due to [[FailedASpotCheck failing a spot check]] or [[PlayingPossum turning their backs on the body]].
53* DamnYouMuscleMemory: If you played the Platform/{{PS1}} version of the original ''VideoGame/{{MDK}}'' and you decide to play the Platform/{{PS2}} version of this game, you'll find that the controls were changed from the original for some reason. This can be somewhat rectified in the options menu, but even then, the controls may mess with you, especially if you played the original with the left analog stick, because it isn't at all useable here for some reason.
54%%* DeflectorShields: Used by boss enemies - each battle with the BFB for example, and in the fight against [[spoiler: Bad Max]].
55* DeployableCover: An interesting variation. Kurt gets access to the Sniper Shield later on - when activated, it provides 100% damage reduction from enemy attacks while he's in Sniper Mode - at the cost of drastically reducing his field of vision. The shield retracts in stages as Kurt takes damage.
56* DevelopersForesight: If you decide to leave the toaster in the kitchen as Dr. Hawkins (despite being part of the tutorial), Kermit will ask you to fetch it after cleaning out the lounge. [[ZigZaggingTrope Nothing stopping you from leaving the bread behind, though.]]
57* DisproportionateRetribution: If you refuse to wash your hands after using the toilet in level 3, the ''Jim Dandy's'' AI will [[spoiler: electrocute you every time you go to leave the bathroom.]] It will do so until you either comply or die.
58* DittoAliens: All members of the same species look alike. A minor aversion in level 9, where various non-combatant Coneheads are seen in [[HawaiianShirtedTourist typical tourist garb]].
59* DuctTapeForEverything: Goes hand in hand with Dr. Hawkins' [[MacGyvering MacGyvering]] gimmick. He uses it to build a leaf blower, a ladder, magnet shoes, and to plug holes in the water pipes.
60* EnemyChatter: Best seen when Kurt is using his Cloak - aliens hum, babble, and fidget when they're not part of the action.
61* ExtendoBoxingGlove: At various points on the orbiting Alien Station, Kurt and Max can find dispensers that give items for free. However, each use has a chance of triggering a punch to the face from one of these, complete with comedic sound effect.
62* GoofyPrintUnderwear: Kurt is seen in a pair of these after [[spoiler: being captured and having the Coil Suit taken off him.]]
63* GunsAkimbo: Max can wield ''four guns''.
64* FailedASpotCheck: Kurt fails to notice the building-sized, bright purple alien sneaking up on him after the first level. [[spoiler: He gets summarily kidnapped, and the rest of the plot follows.]]
65* FinalExamBoss: You can choose which character you want to confront the final boss with. Whichever one you choose though, you will have to utilize nearly every weapon or skill possessed by that character to actually win the fight.
66* FishbowlHelmet: Professor Hawkins uses a fishbowl (a real fishbowl -- the fish was sent a few minutes earlier to override some underwater controls) and two horseshoe magnets as boots, in order to cross the space between two sections of his ship.
67%%* ForTheEvulz: The motivation of the final boss for invading the earth? He was bored.
68* FunWithAcronyms: Applies to [[{{VideoGame/MDK}} the original]] as well, for neither Creator/{{Shiny|Entertainment}} or [=BioWare=] have explicitly said what the [=MDK=] in the title stands for.
69** The names of the main characters are '''M'''ax, '''D'''r. Hawkins, and '''K'''urt.
70** The title of Kurt's original mission in MDK is 'Mission: Deliver Kindness', according to the manual.
71** The installer background for PC even made fun of this, by showing Kurt in a nosedive pose with dozens of possible meanings for "MDK". The most prominent was Murder Death Kill.
72* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: Kurt's Dummy Decoys are noisy balloons with a crude image of him painted on them. They work every time - nobody seems to realise that the man running around with a gun is more dangerous than the balloon. [[ArtificialStupidity Even when they see him throw it.]] Even the bosses, which are supposedly smarter than their [[{{Mooks}} underlings.]]
73* HammerspaceParachute: Kurt can deploy his ribbon chute any time he's in mid-air. Logically this plays a vital role in his missions.
74* TheHedonist: This is the Grand Emperor Zizzy Balooba's modus operandi as he confesses ordering an attack on Earth just because he was bored.
75%%* HitScan: All bullet firing weapons with the sole exception of Kurt's sniper rifle.
76* HomeBase: The ''Jim Dandy'' - a gigantic [[SpaceStation space platform]] orbiting the Earth. Dr. Hawkins created it so he could escape the derision of his scientific peers before the events of the first MDK. Also provides the setting for three of the game's ten levels.
77%%ZCE* HulkingOut: Drinking liquid plutonium does this to [[spoiler: Dr. Hawkins]].
78* HyperactiveMetabolism: Kurt and Dr. Hawkins regain health by eating entire cooked hams and drinking soda, respectively.
79* ImprobableWeaponUser: Dr Hawkins fights with radioactive toasts.
80* InformingTheFourthWall: As Dr. Hawkins' levels are all about finding item combinations to progress, expect a lot of this.
81-->Oh, yes, I will create... er, ''nothing''
82-->(as if he's figured out something) '''[[SarcasmMode AAAAAAAH!]]''' (flatly) ''No''.
83* InterfaceScrew: The final boss [[spoiler: Emperor Zizzy]] can do this with his [[spoiler:[[MindControlEyes hypnotic eyes]], causing your screen to slowly rotate for a while.]]
84* InvisibilityCloak: Kurt finds these as single-use items that last for a short while. Firing his weapons while cloaked give away his position, however.
85* IShallTauntYou: Most enemies do this in some way or another. Some examples:
86** Hanz, the first Minecrawler Pilot in-game, shakes his fist at you before the boss battle begins.
87** Minecrawler Pilot enemies may [[FlippingTheBird flip you off]] as one of their taunts.
88** Schwang Schwing taunts you verbally and physically during your first fight with him as Kurt.
89** There are two Conehead window washers outside the [[spoiler: Alien Orbiter in level 2.]] Try to shoot them, and they'll [[IShallTauntYou dance and fart cheerfully]] on their floating platforms. Do it enough, and they'll [[SuicidalOverconfidence fall off]] and plummet [[ArtisticLicenseSpace straight down]].
90* ItAmusedMe: The reason Grand Emperor Zizzy Balooba ordered the invasion - for his own amusement.
91* ItsRainingMen: A hold-over from the original MDK - Kurt does an orbital drop from the ''Jim Dandy'', dodging bullets and lasers before safely landing in the first level's minecrawler thanks to the [[HollywoodSkydiving Ribbon Chute]].
92* JennysNumber: Edmonton is located in sector 8675309.
93* JetPack: Max finds a jetpack that has limited fuel and must refuel at a floating fuel station. Later on, he acquires a nuclear-powered jetpack that speedily refuels itself when not in use.
94%%* LeadTheTarget: A necessity when using Kurt's sniper rifle.
95* {{Leitmotif}}: Each of the three characters has their own distinct musical style.
96** Kurt's style is a mix of orchestral music and hard beats. A variation on the "heroic" music from the introduction tends to pop up in it. Perfect for running, gliding, and sniping.
97** Max's style is hard rock and techno, appropriate for the guns-blazing setup of his levels. Sometimes the techno softens for when he's doing platforming levels instead of shooting things.
98** Hawkins' style is orchestral, and heavy on the brass and woodwinds. Sounds like a mad scientists' theme tune, that's for sure.
99* LockAndLoadMontage: At the beginning of Dr. Hawkins' second level, a cutscene shows him walking around his kitchen, picking up every random knickknack he finds. [[GameplayAndStorySegregation Gameplay and Story Segregation applies, though]]. Many of the items he's shown picking up are never seen again.
100%%* MacGyvering: The main gimmick of Dr Hawkins' levels.
101* MadScientist: As if it wasn't clear enough with Dr. Fluke Hawkins, [[spoiler:The Atomic Robot Zombie Men made by him as seen in his ending put in the nail to show this.]]
102* ManEatingPlant: Dr. Hawkins owns a gigantic, friendly, talking plant named Kermit. He does, however [[spoiler: eat aliens]] when they're fed to him.
103* MookMaker: Some enemies come out of these and in a couple of levels have to be destroyed in order to progress.
104* MoreDakka:
105** Max starts out with a single [[BottomlessMagazines infinite-ammo Magnum]]. It's not long before he's ''[[GunsAkimbo quad-wielding miniguns.]]''
106** Kurt can find a faster firing Chaingun with limited ammunition.
107* MultipleEndings: Depending on which character you use in the last level, you get a different end cutscene.
108** Kurt [[spoiler:becomes a hero on earth. Wishing to avoid the attention, he retires to the Jim Dandy, happy to go back to a life of relative peace.]]
109** Max [[spoiler:decides his ambition is too great to be a pet/lab assistant, so he becomes King of the aliens in place of the BigBad.]]
110** Hawkins [[spoiler:gets recognition for his genius (and craziness) and embarks on his next big project - Atomic Robot Zombie Men!]]
111* MythologyGag: The second invasion's first target is Edmonton,[[note]]Bioware's headquarters[[/note]] in reference to MDK 1's first level, Laguna Beach.[[note]]Shiny's headquarters[[/note]]
112* NonStandardGameOver:
113** Getting sucked into Kurt's Black Hole Grenade leads to a black screen.
114** Triggering a bomb as Dr. Hawkins (or igniting a rocket in a sealed room) leads to a short cutscene of the ''Jim Dandy'' exploding, complete with [[PlanarShockwave Planar Shockwave]].
115* NoOSHACompliance: The ''Jim Dandy'' has liquid plutonium leaking from an open barrel, highly-explosive rockets lying around with fuses ready to be lit, a big switch that vents the entire room into space, two entire rooms filled with toxic green sludge, and not a single safety rail to be seen on the various lifts, catwalks, and platforms.
116* OneHandedShotgunPump: Max always holding every gun only in one hand so he can maintain his quadruple akimbo does this with the shotgun by waving it upwards into vertical position (probably with the aid of its recoil) and back into horizontal position again. That or the shotgun is actually semi-automatic.
117* PlatformActivatedAbility: Dr. Hawkins can use his makeshift ladder only at cetrain spots designated by a small square of peculiar design on the ground.
118%%* PlayingPossum: Done by at least two villains.
119%%* PowerTrio: Our heroes.
120* PreviouslyOn: The game begins with a recap of the [[VideoGame/{{MDK}} the original game]], drawn in the style of a comic book from the [[MediaNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden]] or [[MediaNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver]] ages. This recap also gives the original's story something closer to a proper ending, since the original versions had [[spoiler: [[GainaxEnding a music video]]]] at the end, while later versions basically amounted to AWinnerIsYou.
121* PreAssKickingOneLiner: Each protagonist gets a few during the game - they're not always particularly suave, though.
122-->'''Kurt''': ''([[UnhandThemVillain to Schwang Schwing]])'' You let go of my friend's dog!\
123'''Max''': ''([[WittyBanter to the Power Core's AI]])'' Warranty's up, Sparky!\
124'''Dr. Hawkins''': ''([[ShutUpHannibal to the BFB]])'' Well then, here's a little lecture on [[SuddenlyShouting DARWINIAN SURVIVAL!]]
125* ProjectileToast: Dr Hawkins' weapons are Atomic Toasts, which also come in [[HomingProjectile baguette]] and [[GrenadeLauncher pumpernickel]] varieties.
126* ProlongedVideoGameSequel: In ''VideoGame/{{MDK}}, you play as Kurt, a janitor wearing an untested Coil Suit, through 6 levels. ''VideoGame/MDK2'', however, has you play as Kurt, Dr. Fluke Hawkins and Max/Bones across 10 levels. Finishing the final level unlocks a different ending based on the character.
127* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: The fate of the world rests in the hands of a MadScientist, a {{reluctant|Hero}} AlmightyJanitor, and a six-legged [[RobotDog robot dog]].
128%%* RayGun: Shows up by name in Max's later levels. Kurt also gets a Laser Chaingun powerup that functions pretty much the same way.
129* ShoutOut:
130** Edmonton is located in sector 8675309, a reference to the song "867-5309/Jenny" by Music/TommyTutone.
131** [[Franchise/TheMuppets Kermit]] is a [[Film/LittleShopOfHorrors gigantic talking plant]].
132** The final boss, [[spoiler:Emperor Zizzy Balooba]] is named after the lonely alien [[spoiler:Zyzzybalubah from ''Series/PeeWeesPlayhouse'']].
133** Dr. Hawkins [[spoiler: drinking plutonium turns him into a [[ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk hulking]] version of himself, ripped clothes and all.]] This version of himself is named [[spoiler:[[JekyllAndHyde Hyde]]]].
134** The space station, ''Jim Dandy'', is named after a song by Lincoln Chase.
135** Dr. Hawkins' fish is named [[AdventuresOfHuckleberryFinn Chuckleberry Finn]].
136** One of the civilian coneheads is wearing a [[Literature/WheresWally red-and-white striped cap with a bobble]].
137** The blue phone booth that Dr. Hawkins uses to travel to the Emperor's palace is taken from ''Series/DoctorWho''.
138* SicklyGreenGlow: The plutonium used by Dr. Hawkins is green, glows, and thrives on [[ArtisticLicenseNuclearPhysics comic book logic]].
139* SlowLaser: Both the ''laser chaingun'' for Kurt and the ''ray gun'' for Max don't really work like lasers at all. They're more akin to pulse guns.
140%%* SpaceStation: The ''Jim Dandy'' on which Dr. Hawkins and his friends reside.
141%%* SuddenlyVoiced: Everyone.
142* TemptingFate: Oh, Dr. Hawkins. Every time.
143-->''(before minecrawler alarm sounds)'' Yes, it's all... over.\
144''(before being boarded)'' My ship is 100% impenetrable!\
145''(before being kidnapped)'' If we can just keep our pants on, our luck may be changing...\
146''(before teleporting himself into the middle of an alien city by mistake)'' Just a few simple console taps, and teleport comp...*[=ZAP!!=]* {{Beat}} ...lete?
147* TentativeLight: Subtle, and played for laughs. It's never necessary to use Dr. Hawkins' lighter to do so, but you can activate it to provide a small amount of light around yourself. After a few seconds, it goes out and you [[ScratchDamage burn yourself]].
148%%* ThrowAwayGuns: Max's firearms, minus his back-up weapon.
149* TrickBullet: Kurt gets access to bouncing sniper bullets in some levels - primarily used to activate switches around corners.
150* UnexpectedGameplayChange: Kurt focuses on somewhat tactical gunplay and platforming, Max is about brute forcing everything in sight with lots of ThrowAwayGuns and jetpack sequences, and Dr. Hawkins relies on jury-rigged weapons and solving puzzles.
151* UnrealisticBlackHole: Kurt gets access to a Black Hole Grenade every so often. It generates a black hole that sucks in only living creatures, then vanishes with a loud pop after a few seconds. Kurt is also [[NonStandardGameOver a living]] [[HoistByHisOwnPetard creature]].
152* UpdatedRerelease: ''[=MDK2=] HD''. Consists of mostly visual updates, but some gameplay elements have been tweaked.
153** Max gets the ability to replenish his ammunition from gun pickups. His ammo reserves are also slightly larger.
154** The Chuckleberry Finn puzzle is completely removed.
155* VagueHitPoints: When an enemy is hit, their LifeMeter is displayed but there's no exact numeric value of how many HitPoints the enemy has, nor how much damage has been dealt.
156* VocalDissonance: Whenever Dr. Hawkins [[spoiler:drinks Plutonium and turns into Hyde]], his only vocalisations become strangely high-pitched.
157* WarForFunAndProfit: Why did the Minecrawlers attack Earth again? [[spoiler:The BigBad did it for his entertainment.]]
158%%* WombLevel: The final boss battle.
159%%ZCE* XRaySparks: Whenever a player character gets electrocuted, this trope is in full effect.

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