PaRappa the Rapper 2

"If you're a fan of music games, you'll like this..."

Parappa's back in his second game for the PS2 (Technically his 3rd if you count Um Jammer Lammy), with some new features and better songs. Let's start this.

Graphics - 8
The characters are 2D, on a 3D plane. Some may dismiss this, but I for one like the cartoony graphics and colourful backgrounds. While not the best graphics capable on the PS2, it holds its own for its originality. It just wouldn't be the same without them.

Gameplay - 6

This is where the game shines... and fails too. Basically, you're Parappa and you have to mimic your teacher. Every word/lyric they say, has a corresponding button on the controller that you have to hit to say.

Example : ''Cut The Lettuce!''
Cut would be X, The would be O, and Lettuce would be O.

So when Parappa's face goes over the key, you press the button. Simple no? Well, if you keep mimicking the teacher, you'll never get a cool rating. The are 4 ratings that change depending on how good or bad you play. Cool, Good, Bad, and Awful. If you get below Awful, you fail the song.
If you ever want to get Cool, you'll have to find your own groove. Sometimes you'll add words here and there, and it'll increase the score. Too bad this game really sucks at determining that. Most of the time it'll reduce your score. Shame really.

Difficulty - 2

This game is really easy. I've only failed a few times, but only on the count of the game reducing my score for trying to get 'cool'. Besides that, this game is a piece of cake. And yes, I did pass the game 4 times with each difficulty rating and hat. Easy.

Story - 5

Parappa has won a lifetime supply of noodles. He's eaten them for every meal of the day for quite some time, and is sick of them now. His love, Sunny Flower, makes some more noodles to eat, but he just runs off to get a bite to eat somewhere else. He then attempts to redeem himself and try to grow up with help from his teachers. While this is happening, everything is turning into noodles. Even the burgers at the Beard Burger have become noodles. It's then Parappa's job to stop this and save the town from being turned into noodles. That's about it. Pretty childish, but gives the game a nice light-hearted feel to it.

Sound/Music - 8

The songs in this game have really improved from Parappa The Rapper and Um Jammer Lammy. They're a lot funner to play to, and some are worth unlocking in the Dog House Records. I personally like ''Final Party'', but that's just me. The sounds are normal, and fit nicely into the game. Too bad this game is so short...

Multi Player - 1

I really hate the 2 player mode in this game. I hate it with a passion. All that happens is that annoying little jukebox makes a few lyrics, you copy them, then your friend copies you, then you copy your friend and so on. It may sound fun, but it's not. Any attempt to change the lyrics or freestyle, and you'll lose tons of points and your opponent will win. Did I mention you play the same line over and over and over again until you quit or someone tries to change it? Why couldn't it be like in the old games where you both play a level together, playing different notes instead of the same thing over and over again? It really bites.

Overall - 6 , To rent or to buy?

This game could have really been better. It's annoying when you try to do your own groove, and the computer punishes you. Just rent it. This game only has 8 levels, and not much else after that. I rented this game for seven days, and I've passed it in 4 hours. You can't even look forward to the 2 player mode, as it is a load of garbage. I'm disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 07/08/02, Updated 07/19/02