Panekit

"One Of The Most Original Games Ever Designed"

Overview:

Panekit is one of the most original games ever designed by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Your purpose in the game is to complete every single mini-game using vehicles build from your own imagination.

Storyline: 7/10

Actually, there isn't much storyline in Panekit. You basically drive around in your own custom made vehicle in a free roaming colorful landscape, playing the mini-games and then unlocking more terrains and mini-games for you to play and travel to.

Gameplay: 10/10

The gameplay is probably the best feature of Panekit. In the beginning, you are only given three vehicles in your inventory to choose from. So basically, you drive around looking for parts and other equipment scattered around the terrain. Most of those parts are located in hard-to-reach places like say, on top of trees, on the summit of a high cliff, on an island right in the middle of the ocean, or even on top of a suspension bridge. Those parts you collect are then added to your inventory for you to use. You can then use them to build your own self-designed vehicles. The type of vehicles you can build are endless. You can built a sports car, an airplane, a helicopter, a space shuttle, a tank, a submarine, a boat, or a semi-truck. The choice is yours. There was once I even build a car which can transform into a plane and vice-versa! Talk about innovation! Also, the button configuration for your vehicles can be changed. During your edit vehicle screen, you can change these settings to suit yourself. For example, you can assign the 'X' button for the accelerator and the 'Square' button for the brakes. If you don't like that, then you have the freedom to change it!

The mini-games are also really fun. You can choose several different types if you drive around the terrain looking for them. Some of the examples are a one on one tank shooting contest, a sports car race. a drag race, a rally race or even an air show competition. Because of these, this game isn't easy at all. So, you will have to design and build your own vehicle if you are thinking of competing at the highest level.

Graphics: 6/10

The graphics in Panekit were actually quite poor if you compare it with other Playstation games. Well basically, there are plenty of slowdown and some graphical glitches. For the good part, there are really some nice weather effects such as snow, clouds and waves.

Sound: 9/10

The music in Panekit were pretty good. They are short, quick and extremely catchy. The sound effects were average.

Replay value: 9/10

There are plenty of things to do in Panekit, plenty of mini-games to play, plenty of things to see and plenty of machines to build. Its simply an awesome experience!

Overall: 9/10

Panekit is one of the most original games ever designed. Its sad that this game never made its way to the US.

Rent or buy?

If you can find it, its best to get it. Panekit is truly a masterpiece!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/02/03