Whacked!

"Addictive yet not so desirable"

In the search for a multi player xbox game with a new look, i cam across this seemingly entertaining game. The cover and screen shots looked like a new approach that hasn't been very popular so i picked it up from a local game retailer.

After the first few minutes into the game, i realized that it was mainly a comical game with lots of dark humor. Characters with all different qualities on a game show, trying to destroy and flame one another with verbal and physical assaults.

Graphics: 8/10

Into the game play a little: The graphics and unique way of battling are unlike anything i've really seen before. The Character details aren't that great at all. And they're so small that you really can't tell if they were poorly designed or not. Compared to the advantages of having the characters the way they are, it isn't that big of a thing. This really improves online play and lets you concentrate a lot more on trying to hurt, damage, and humiliate your foes in this dark comedy of a fast paced, death match game. The Cinematics on the other hand are un godlike. very different from other in game cinematics. this is really what boosted the graphics score

Gameplay: 7/10

Single player-
The single player missions use one chosen character and you go through 37 different stages to try to win that fabulous contest prize from the game show. Using various objects that get slowly introduced through the game, you have to kill chickens or play against the other computer characters in games like king of the hill, death match, and ''hold the trophy for 2 mins''. really fun for a single player game but after you beat the game with 3 or 4 characters, it looses it's interest. Even when it takes only 2 or 3 hours to beat the game with each character.

Multi player-
Quick paced and fun...for a little while at least. There are tons of different items and weapons you can use such as, rocket launchers, flamethrowers, Explosives, Cactus, hammer, etc. After a while though, it does get really repetitive. It's hard to notice at first because it's fast pasted gameplay really takes your mind of of how much you enjoy the gameplay and replaces it with the character sayings and the ''have to win'' feeling. What really happened when i brought the game over to a friends house? First thing i did was show the in-game advertisements and cinimatics, played it for 15 mins, then moved to another game.

Sound: 6/10

The sound isn't that great. It plays along with the gameshow theme for the music and goofy sound effects. I wouldn't rely on the sound much at all because what the Characters do and say are really what gets your attention in the game.

Replay Value: 9/10

After you have beaten the game on time with one character, the special ending that appears is decent. About a minute or so long. This is really what makes the game addictive. The ending is so interesting that it really just makes you want to play with all of the other characters to see their endings and strive for that ''complete'' save. This is really where the replay value comes in to play to make you want to play it again and again, Unlocking new endings and hilarious cinematics and pointless advertisements very similar to that of Cell Damage.

Overall: 7.5/10

Not that great of a multiplayer game but it does have it's laughable moments... which is really shown throughout the entire game. Recommend renting it for the laughs, show them to your friends for laughs, play for a bit, then return.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/05/03, Updated 07/05/03