Petit Copter

"Tiny helicopter = big fun"

PuchiCopter (or, ''translated'' into English PetitCopter) is AquaSystems' foray into the VERY uncrowded genre of 1/48 scale radio controlled helicopter indoor adventuring. This game adds to my argument against the mainstreaming of gaming. This game, even if ported Stateside, will most likely be relegated to the bargain bin because the same people who buy BackStreet Boys albums and watch movies staring ''the Rock'' will be too busy looking for the latest incarnation of some crappy bloody game to notice the release of a low profile game such as this. While most gamers (especially in the US) tend to play only big name games for popular systems, the truly hardcore among us are treated to gems like Rent a Hero No. 1, Silhouette Mirage, NiGHTS, and PetitCopter and we enjoy them all the more because their mere mention conjures up visible question marks over the heads of those who have been brainwashed by slick marketing campaigns, rehashes of the exact same sports game year after year, and violence for the sake of violence games like GTA 3. Enough about my personal philosophy; on with the review...

OVERVIEW:
PetitCopter offers two modes of play: Adventure and Challenge. Challenge Mode works like the Crazy Box/Pyramid from the Crazy Taxi series, offering gradually more difficult minigames. Adventure mode gives you the chance to fly through an unoccupied (just WHO left the stew simmering on the stove anyway?) house collecting stars to unlock access to new rooms containing, you guessed it, more stars. Both modes test one's tolerance for frustration, but both offer enough addictive and original gameplay to balance such annoyances.

STORY: NA

CONTROL: 10
In default, the left analog stick controls the pitch, or tilt, of your tiny chopper on both axes. The right one controls the altitude (Y axis) and the direction the machine faces (X axis). The analog sensitivity is incredible, and the force feedback feature has never been more well utilized. The right trigger is the action button and fires missiles, opens and closes doors, moves objects, etc. via a crosshairs. The left trigger initiates an autohover, a feature you will abuse greatly at first, but will soon learn to live without once the controls become second nature. Y and X adjust the camera zoom, select switches between behind-the-copter view and the frustrating and utterly useless RC view, and the D-Pad allows for useless and frustrating camera angle changes.

GRAPHICS: 7
Adequately detailed backgrounds and nicely modeled 'copters provide a pleasant environment for your tiny adventure. The graphics could, however, have been FAR more detailed considering their relatively small size and low polygon count. I would have loved to see some of that iridescent reflective effect used in GunValkyrie on the stone portions of some areas, and the reflections in the windows don't look remotely convincing. The views out the windows, however, while a simple 2D trick, look great. Watch for the DreamCast with SegaSaturn controllers in the living room.

SOUND: 8
Surprisingly, the constant whir of your rotors isn't annoying in the least. The music is also non intrusive and runs the gamut from rap to video game-y music. The sound causes no issues to be resolved, but nothing outstanding comes out of the mix either. I dig the strange nonsequiter bullwhip sound effect when you make menu selections.

GAMEPLAY: 8
The variety offered in the two modes of play (each of which could have been a complete game in and of themselves) is nice, but the frustration level brings what could have been a perfect score down a notch or 2. There are things to unlock, and the Challenge mode, while hard, will keep you entertained without being overly frustrated (with the exception of the last level which has a punishing time limit), but, surprisingly, its the Adventure mode that comes to a crashing halt when you don't know where in the world you could have missed the one star that will allow you to progress and you aimlessly wander the house, struggling to see the backgrounds through your tears. Once again, a perfect score slightly marred. Replays would have been nice too. Also, bearing in mind the Xbox's hard drive, I would have loved to see a room construction kit.

OVERALL: 8
Buy it if you appreciate innovative and challenging gameplay. By the way, if you do happen to buy it, tell me WHERE IN THE WORLD THE D*MNED 80TH STAR IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/12/02, Updated 06/12/02