Hanger II provides a unique, fun challenge for you to overcome. Sure to please everyone from Indian Jones wannabes to Luke Skywalker-Rescuing-Princess-Leia wannabes, Hanger II swoops in and grabs your attention from the very first level entitled “Welcome Back,” because technically this is a sequel to a game called “Hanger.” (A link to the original game is within the game screen.)

The object of Hanger II is to get to the end of each level keeping as many body parts as you can manage. You have the challenge of swinging about through the level on a rope that you can release and shoot out again in order to move forward and collect the star, a hidden source of bonus points. The stars in each level are not difficult to find, but they are placed in such a way that one needs to deftly think about how to obtain it. You could easily blast past the stars and finish the level, but you want those bonus points!

The first level of Hanger II gives you a quick set of instructions while plunging you headfirst into the game. The instructions appear throughout the level as you swing from your rope, dodging obstacles. The levels are relatively easy until level six, a labyrinth of barriers in the shape of various bones and skulls. See if you can beat me and actually complete it; the level bested me after seven tries.

Control in Hanger II is difficult to obtain at first. After a few levels, it does become easier to swing like a natural ape throughout the stages. Controls can be awkward, but it is most likely because the player is not used to this interface. Perhaps if you played Hanger I your learning curve would be smaller. The arrow keys control movement. It is obvious what the left and right keys do. The up arrow retracts the rope you swing from and the down arrow lets more rope out to swing with. The spacebar releases the rope from wherever it latched. Tapping it again will latch it on to another place a little farther ahead than last time. Be careful! Not attaching to a new surface will cause you to drop down and disappear (die) or smash into something and lose limbs. Lose too many and you will die!

Hanger II is a great strategy exercise and leaves you wanting to succeed at every turn. The graphics are not worthy of the Xbox, its controls are not to be compared to Kinect. However, Hanger II is definitely worth your time. Now get at it, you swingers.

RATING: 4.5 Sticks