Whiplash

"HEE! HEE! HAA! HAA! Ho-Hum."

You are a weasel. In fact, you are a weasel named Spanx, who is chained to a rabbit named Redmond. The two of you are on your way to be genetically combined into one new and improved animal by the evil corporation, Genron. (Hmmm... I wonder who we're poking fun at here?) At the last moment before entering the genetic mixing machine, you break free and start running. You decide to fling Redmond at the guards who have swarmed in to try and catch you! Lo and behold, the guard receives a rabbit kick right in the gut and you continue your escape.....

The main character (as previously stated) is Spanx the weasel. Before being chained to Redmond, he was used for testing electrical currents or something of the sort. Redmond, his none-to-willing companion was previously a test animal for cosmetics, specifically hairspray. Because of this, Redmond is indestructible. Thus, (especially since he's chained to Spanx) he makes a handy-dandy weapon/gadget.

All right. I think we have enough background, so let's cut to the chase. This game scores most of the points I give it in originality. I haven't ever seen any game made on this premis and so far there aren't any others coming out that I'm aware of (unless of course they try a Whiplash 2). The script is imaginative and quite humorous, making for lots of belly laughs and hearty chuckles during cut scenes and dialogue sequences. This game is worth playing for the story alone, but don't let the concept and witty banter fool you. You still have to play through the game.

Gameplay is where this game truly lacks. The humans in the game are far from challenges, and the smashing of objects becomes dry and repetitive. Finding new and interesting things to do with Redmond sounds like it would be a plus, but they are not as readily available as you might expect; neither are they as useful as you might expect. True some, like the Helium Bunny, are necessary to advance in the game, but after a while, it just gets old doing mean and horrible things to poor Redmond.

Lets take a moment and recap. The game has an original concept and an entertaining (and down right funny) script. The controls (which I haven't really talked much about yet) are simple and intuitive. You get to mistreat Redmond in various ways to aid in your escape. After about the first 3 levels, you are tired of smashing things and thumping humans. Guess what you mostly get to do!

3 points for originality and a good script.
2 points for good controls.
1 point only for gameplay. If not for the cut scenes, I wouldn't have finished the game.

Final score: 6/10 Definitely rent this one before you buy.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 02/11/04