The Incredible Machine 2 is a video game released in 1994 for DOS, and part of The Incredible Machine video game series. The Incredible Machine Version 3.0 (also marketed as Professor Tim’s Incredible Machines) was released in 1995 for Mac OS and Windows containing the same levels as The Incredible Machine 2, but with an improved interface and added extra features like CD music tracks. Re-releases of the series, including the 2009 compilation The Incredible Machine Mega Pack, have included Version 3.0.
The Incredible Machine 2 introduced new levels, an extended assortment of parts, a new interface, significantly improved graphics, sounds, and music, and two player hotseat play. It also improved on the “freeform” mode, allowing players to create completely playable puzzles by defining not only the participating parts, but also the set of circumstances under which the puzzle will be considered “solved”. In terms of gameplay, this version provided the biggest addition to the series, while subsequent updates were basically only ports of the game to newer operating systems with updated graphics/sounds and sometimes new puzzles, but no new parts.
Reviewing The Incredible Machine 2, Gary Meredith of PC Gamer US wrote: “In every way, TIM2 is an improvement, keeping the best parts of the original yet giving the player more options and flexibility”. He summarized it as “a game that’s as rewarding as it is challenging”. The Incredible Machine 2 won Computer Gaming World’s Readers’ Choice award for the best “Classics/Puzzles” game of 1995, although it was not among the editors’ nominees.
