PaRappa the Rapper 2

"PaRappa's second solo outing sports old and new..."

PaRappa was a unique music-related game that got many a good comment among critics and fans alike. The second of the series, Um Jammer Lammy, introduced a new set of characters for the altered yet true system, while PaRappa was also featured for players who did well as Lammy. The third game is PaRappa's (and the series') first game on the PS2. Given the possibilities of new horizons to grow on, does PaRappa really make the most of the next-gen system?

It's a tough call, really. Though the graphics still retain that famous paper-thin look, the characters and animations do look much smoother, and the cutscenes are not FMV's like the last two games. But the game was never really about its graphics as it is more about its gameplay, and again it is more of the same. The instructor recites a rhythm on a command bar, and PaRappa must imitate (or improve) the rhythm. While it is possible to complete the game very quickly just by imitation, making better rhythms to the point of obtaining a ''Cool'' ranking can be very challenging (if not frustrating) in itself.

There is a storyline to this game, and hard as it is to explain, I'm going to give it an attempt. PaRappa had won a year's supply of noodles, and eating noodles everyday is making him sick. His problem led to more problems when his lunch with Sunny Funny wound up to be a serving of noodles, and now she considers him to be a baby. But later on, for some inexplicable reason, all the food in PaRappa Town is being turned into noodles! With strong determination and some cool rhythm, PaRappa must find some way to stop this phenomenon from happening, while also trying to prove his manhood to Sunny and himself.

Yes, it's a strange story. But the PaRappa series were never known to be very serious games story-wise anyway.

Unlike the first two games, this game holds a total of eight (8) stages for play. Almost all the teachers are brand new, with the exceptions of Chop Chop Master Onion (what would a PaRappa-related game be without him?) and MC King Kong Mushi. What makes this game interesting is that while Parappa's voice is divided into assorted voice bites (as was in the last few games), the teachers have apparently undergone the same thing. As a result, PaRappa's teachers can sometimes make new rhythms unexpectedly, and sometimes that will require the player to concentrate a little harder. Also, such alterations on the teachers allows for the Vs. Mode to be available for each stage. Player one is PaRappa, and player two is the teacher of that stage. Given a short line, each player must try to make the better rhythm and stay alive as long as possible.

Of course, the music is also something to be mentioned in this game too. The first two games had the main characters' (PaRappa and/or Lammy) sound bites sound like they've gone through the wash one or two times. The characters' voices in this game, however, sound much more clear. The music is odd and unique as usual, and the songs are standard PaRappa material (which in my opinion sounds pretty cool anyway). Players who complete the game may be greeted with some new versions of the teachers' original raps, so it keeps things fresh a little longer. With assorted possibilities on both ends--PaRappa and the teacher--the entire rap may not always be the same thing.

A bonus game occasionally starts up to allow PaRappa to gain a few extra points for his overall stage score. PaRappa has to break the objects that the Kotamanegi (the little onion dudes) draw out. This requires the shape buttons and a good eye; you only get points when you hit those Kotamanegi holding objects. Hitting one without an object often winds up causing that particular one to stall a second or so. Simple enough, though nothing really to do with rhythm.

Still, once things are done, you may not come back to this game unless your friends want to compare scores or play against each other via Vs. Mode. And to get everything, you may find yourself playing over and over again, which can result in some frustration. Just a warning.

Overall, this is standard PaRappa fare, with plenty of new twists to keep things new and interesting. Those players who enjoy the PaRappa series and any other music games will enjoy this game. As for other players, a game like this should at least be tried out. Not very many games out there are like this, and it's only through experience which a game like this should be considered.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/03/03, Updated 01/03/03