When this game first came out in the
stores, I really had no idea what it
was. So I did a little research....umm,
a platform game huh? Well, I really
like platform games (but Crash,
well.....fell way short of my
expectations), so I decided to give
this one a try. I am extremely pleased
that I did. The is the most fun I have
had with a platform game in a LONG
time! What about the typical
frustrations that accompany all
platform games? Well, this one has it;
however, not at the same level as
Crash or Rayman. The frustration
factor is actually fun and will not
make you throw your control pad (or
PSX) such as the previous games that
I mentioned. Anyway, here is my
breakdown of Pandemonium!
Graphics: 9.5/10
WOW! That was my first reaction
when I first started playing this gem of
a game. Some may have complained
that the graphics are not as good or
crisp as Crash’s. I have no idea what
they are talking about because, if
anything, I believe them to be a bit
better. It is basically a 2-D platformer
in a 3-D environment. Your player is
on very restrictive tracks but you
actually do not mind at all!! The
variety of the different levels removes
any hint of repetitiveness. The levels
are bizarre, original, and so different
from each other. The length of each
level (18 in total) is about 2-3 of
Crash’s put together. Occasionally,
I’m caught looking at the
environment...amazed, completely
unaware of what I am
doing....oops...I fell off the ledge....oh
well. There is also some interactivity
with the backgrounds (not much, but
some). Some of the levels are simply
amazing. The light sourcing is
incredible...and the
colors......wow....color everywhere!!
The graphics are simply wonderful!
Sound: 8.5/10
The sound is typical of platform
games. There are sounds for jumping
and firing your weapon that you
acquire at certain points in the game.
They seemed quite good. The one
several great sounds that
Pandemonium did have were the
ramblings of the enemies. They are
quite amusing. I found myself laughing
quite a bit when I came across my
first enemy. It reminds me of the ever
popular voice characterization in the
Bugs Bunny cartoons..."Duh...which
way did he go...which way did he
go."
Music: 9/10
At first, I was a bit disappointed in
the music; however, it grew on me
VERY fast. The latter levels have
really excellent music which added to
the atmosphere and the pace of the
level that you were playing. I still go
back to certain levels to replay
them....mostly for the music. Its
great!!
Gameplay: 9/10
As with all platform games, the
gameplay is where it counts. Believe
me, the gameplay is all there. The
control layout is very simple and you
can pretty much just pick it up and
play. You basically run , jump and
shoot which are all quite responsive
to your button-smashing. In addition,
each of the characters that you can
play has a different ability. Fargus, the
jester, has a great tumble move that
destroys most enemies. Nikki, the
wizard wanna-be, has a double jump
ability which is great for getting to
hard-to-get places. Also, the way this
game is set up, it lets you perfect the
controls in the first few levels. Those
levels are not too hard at all, but get
progressively more difficult as you
proceed. Fortunately, they do not get
frustratingly difficult (a BIG plus for
me).
Replay Value: 7/10
To me, the longevity of this game is
rather good. Despite the 18 levels,
there are tons of secret paths and
different ways to approach the final
gate of each level. Also, the ability to
play 2 characters at any time adds to
the replay of the game as well. Also,
wanting to get every coin in each level
(allowing you to go to a "full tilt"
bonus level) adds to the several
replays of the game.
Overall: 8.6/10
Despite the replay value which some
may dispute I would definitely
recommend giving this game a try!
For the die-hard gamers who can
finish games like Kain in 2-3
days....just rent this one. However,
being an average gamer myself, I
completed it in about one week
(playing about 2 hours a day). Even
though I could have taken it back, I
refused. To me the game warrants
another run through (maybe 3 or 4).
This is by far the best platform game
for the PSX. So, if you like platform
games, or just want a change from all
the racing and fighting clones out
there.
