Chip's Challenge 2 is finally out after 25 years
Better late than never.
Chip's Challenge 2, the previously unreleased sequel to the 1989 classic puzzle game, is finally out on PC via Steam.
Developer Chuck Sommerville's sequel was actually made over 15 years ago, but sat in limbo for ages due to a legal dispute with the trademark owner. Sommerville created the classic Chip's Challenge in 10 weeks and it was such a success that he dedicated two years of his life to creating a sequel only to be told after completion that the trademark owner wanted him to personally fork over $100K to fund the marketing costs. Sommerville couldn't afford that, so the game never saw the light of day... until now.
"When I couldn't release Chip's Challenge 2, it hit me really hard. Not only had I spent two years perfecting it, I also felt I'd let down the fans too," Sommerville said. "I generally thought the only way Chip's Challenge 2 was ever going to see the light of day was by having my wife leak it on the internet on my death."
Only now, after five years of negotiating with the trademark owners, has Sommerville reclaimed the rights to use the original title's name and thus release both the classic Chip's Challenge and its sequel on Steam.
The original Chip's Challenge became something of a mainstay due to the fact that it was included as a freebie in Window's pre-installed Microsoft Entertainment Pack. Beyond that, Chip's Challenge was also available on a wide range of platforms including Atari Lynx, Amiga, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum.
It told the adorably 80s tale of a boy named Chip McCallahan trying to prove his worth to Melinda the Mental Marvel so he could join her exclusive Bit Buster Club. This involved him solving the deadly puzzles she laid out in her clubhouse. Ah, the good old days!
This sequel lets you play as either Chip or Melinda as the pair try to join an even more exclusive guild, the Brain Game Club. This will take them across 200 stages featuring 79 new game elements laid out by Vladimir Gerajkee the Puzzle Master.
During the trademark dispute over Chip's Challenge Sommerville started his own company, Niffler, and released a series of puzzle games called Chuck's Challenge for iOS, Android, PC, Mac and Linux.
Chip's Challenge costs £1.59 / $1.99, its sequel is £3.99 / $4.99, and Chip's Challenge 2's Editor DLC is £1.99 / $2.99. Or you can purchase them all in a bundle half off at £3.99 / $4.99.
