PaRappa the Rapper

"Original is definitely the best word to describe this"

Japan gets hordes of these style games and we get very few. Its really a pity, because the only major flaw in this game is the fact that it is short. Perhaps if more of this style came overseas we could have even more fun.

The graphics are actually very unique. Instead of going for just a flat world, or a 3d world, the developers decided to try both. The sprites are cut-outs in the paper doll style, while the world is 3d, and the backgrounds along with the backgroudn sprites are also cutouts. Some of the animation was a bit corny, but I liked the fact the the paper doll cut-outs could bend and the like, so they seems flat but yet 3d. This definitely deserves a 9.

The music is a category that you really can't say much about - its a music game, therefore its obvious that alot of effort was put into the music. The tunes are great, and this is coming from me, who hates most forms of rap. The music is actually professional quality, and if the soundtrack was playing, you wouldn't be able to tell its from a game. The music boasts cartoony funkish lyrics whih really add to the games feel. A perfect 10 here.

The gameplay? Well, others might say that the fact that you just pushed buttons in correspondance with the rythym was droll, but I disagree. Although you do need to push buttons with the rythym, you can add in other button pushes as well, turning the default ''Kick, Punch, Turn, Block'' into ''Kick Kick Kick, Block Punch Turn''. As well, you can push other buttons then the ones in the actual tune, as long as you keep the rythym. 8/10

The replay value? This is a mixed bag. The game is fairly short, but going through it a few times is fun. Mastering all the levels to open the hidden stage is added incentive, so you'll be back through the game 4 or 5 times before you decided to put it on the shelf. 8/10

Overall, you should be able to finish this game perfectly with a two day rental, so my advice is to rent the game, and buy the soundtrack - I did :)

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/22/00, Updated 04/22/00