Pandemonium!

"Old-school gameplay mixes with new-age graphics to form a delicious brew of gaming goodness."

Pandemonium was released in late 1996 for the Sony PlayStation and was developed by Crystal Dynamics. Pandemonium stars two of the most offbeat gaming characters I’ve ever seen: Nikki, an elf girl, and Fargus, a slightly psychotic court jester who carries around a staff with a head on it, the head’s name is Sid. Pandemonium is a 2.5 D platform game that combines 3D graphics with traditional platform gaming elements.

You’ll be making great use of the 2.5 D gameplay throughout the game’s 20 levels. The gameplay is among the most diverse I’ve ever seen for a 2.5 D game. Aside from the traditional platform jumping and enemy killing that goes on in the game, there are some rather unique aspects to the gameplay that help to set it apart from the rest of the pack. Aspects like transformation, which occurs at numerous points throughout the game. Pandemonium doesn’t do many things different than a traditional 2 D platform game, but it does them better than most, and definitely the best out of the 2.5 D platform games.

The control in the game is top-notch. You can either jump, attack, or use a special attack. Each character has their own unique special attack, and characteristics. Fargus has more powerful attacks than Nikki, but she jumps farther than him. Both characters’ special attacks do the same amount of damage, so it all comes down to which character you’d prefer to play as. Either way, the controls for that character will be responsive. The controls never skip a beat.

The graphics in the game are simply breathtaking. The game is full of life, and color. Pandemonium is truly one of the most colorful games ever. Bright colors permeate the game. The character design reflects the broad selection of colors in the game. Nikki is decked out in red and green, while Fargus adds purple to the mix. The character design of the enemies is just as good as that of the main characters, throughout the game you’ll be attacked by mushrooms, logs (Ren and Stimpy fans rejoice), and some characters that are so odd, that they defy description. The game’s many levels are bursting at the seems with life. Each level seems to come alive with small touches, such as the subtle color changes in fire and the numerous shades of blue used for the game’s skies. These small details work wonders in giving the game a world all its own.

The sound in the game is truly amazing. The music fits whatever level you’re playing in. If you’re playing in a desert level, the music will take on a dryer tone, if you’re playing in a dream world filled with clouds, cheery music will blare through your TV. The sound effects are just as well-done as the music. Each and every sound effect in the game sounds amazing. They’re all clear as could be, and they usually fit their actions to a tee, if they don’t, the effect has a slightly exaggerated tone to it that adds an element of emphasis to it. The sound is one of the best aspects of the game, it does an amazing job at showcasing the whimsical nature of the game.

Pandemonium is one of those games that you can beat time and time again, and it never gets old. There’s always something new to see in the game, always a new gameplay aspect that you’re mind will focus on, and it helps to keep the game fresh no matter how many times you’ve beaten it. The game offers up quite a challenge to anyone who plays it. The game comes at you from all sides, yet it never gets too excessive, you can always remain in control of the game, and not let the game control you, if you go into the game expecting a challenge.

Overall, Pandemonium is one of the finest 2.5 D games available, and it’s definitely the best one available for the PSX. The gameplay, while it doesn’t add much, if anything, new, does everything in needs to do, and it does it very well. The controls are spot-on, the graphics are breathtakingly beautiful, and the sound in the game is some of best out there. If you manage to find a copy of the game, pick it up; you’ve got nothing to lose. Well, except for your sanity, but that’s only if you let the game play you. A Saturn version of the game is also out there, as well as the sequel to the first game, which is only on the PSX. If you have both systems, but you don’t know which version to get, pick up the PSX version, or its sequel. While both versions of the first game are nearly identical, except that the Saturn version has better sound, and the PSX version has better graphics. The sequel, Pandemonium 2, keeps the game’s 2.5 D nature intact, and gives both of the main characters a huge makeover.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/28/02, Updated 01/28/02