Ape Escape 3

"Puts the "prime' in "Primate.""

It is well known that the "ate" in "Primate" comes from the monkeys, who ate bananas. Fine, maybe it's not, but where does the "Prime" come from? It comes from the fun yet not very-user-friendly game "Ape Escape 3." This game puts the "Prime" in "Primate" with decent graphics, a weird yet entertaining story, and unforgettable gameplay that'll make you feel as energetic as a monkey.

Graphics
7/10
The graphics are good, but have their flaws. I noticed that your chosen character holds his/ her RC Car's remote control in mid-air. The mouth movements are flawed, and as for their expressions, they don't exactly happen with good timing. The level designs, though, have environments with different feels. There's a dinosaur theme park type level with a relaxing area, a small snowy town, a level full of giant toys, a desert ranch town, etc. These environments give the graphics this score.

Story
6/10
Monkeys are broadcasting TV shows that brainwash people all over the world under the command of the evil monkey Specter. It is your goal to stop this menace, who is working alongside a man named Tomoki and a group of five monkeys who would like nothing more than to disentigrate you head to tail. Weird, yes, but also entertaining and unique in the sense that you don't see this kind of story everyday. Tomoki appears to know Aki, who will provide you with new gadgets and Morph forms. Hmm... wonder what's going on....

Gameplay
8/10
Awesome. Pure awesome. I never knew capturing apes was so fun! You don't just walk up to them and put your net on them (even though it's possible, but not very commonly). You've got to catch up to them running like crazy, and if they're too agile, put some speed-up gadget on yourself and teach them a lesson. If those monkeys leap into the water, jump in and put your water net to use. The monkeys also attack you, so don't think they'll give up without a fight. They also have the ability to swipe away your gadgets and use them. Yes, they can net you with your net. Fortunately, this doesn't apply to all your gadgets. The game also features Morph forms, where you can become a western gunman, a stealthy ninja, and much more. (I'd rather not spoil it) The difficulty's standard. Sound like Pokemon? It's nothing like it, trust me. It has more platforming and it's also real-time. The only flaw is the controls, which could take some getting used to. Ape Escape 3 also comes with a minigame that you can actually enjoy, called Mesal Gear Solid.

Audio
7/10
The music is suitable for the level surroundings, and you can hear pretty well. There is also a different music theme for each Morph. Sound effects are normal and a little above average, but not too great either.

Playtime/ Replayability
4/10
Well, the game is VERY VERY long in the first playthrough, and requires different strategies. On the second playthrough though, the puzzle solutions come to your head when you meet them, so it feels a little repetitive. You will have to use every ounce of brain power to get through, not to mention the tons of secret monkeys lurking around. One playthrough should supply plenty of fun.

Should I Buy it?
Yes. If you love platformers and action and want something that's not "five second repetitive" this game's good. If that's the case, stop monkeying around, grab your Gotcha coins, and get this game!

Final Rankings/ Summary

Graphics: 7/10
Story: 6/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Audio: 7/10
Playtime/ Replayability: 4/10
Should I Buy It?: Yes
Final Score: 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/21/06