Tang Tang

"This is NOT a "Bomberman" rip-off"

At my first sight, when I first saw the game Tang Tang, the characters sure look like ''Bomberman'', well...it sure fooled me. Because Tang Tang is NOTHING like Bomeberman...believe me...

It's a long story why I got this game. But since this review is about the game, not me. I guess I'll skip the story >_<

Okay, in simple words. Tang Tang is a simple game where you can choose from 4 wacky characters to play with. Your goal is to collect all the energy crystals in the area to proceed to the next level. Meanwhile you are hunting for those crystals, many enemies/monsters/foes (whatever you call those things) are preventing you from getting the crystals...pretty simple plot, eh?

Gameplay: 6/10
Okay, at first when I played this game. I asked myself: How fun can a build/destroy block be? Watching paint might be even more fun. But then again, I was wrong. Once I get hold of ''Tang Tang'', I simply can't put it down. Especially when I couldn't beat a certain stage or boss (the bosses are extremely cheap) it makes me want to play over and over until I beat the stuffing out of them. However, it's not exactly fun. But once you play long enough, you won't be able to put it down.

Controls: 5/10
The controls are frustrating at first. And it still is. For attacking enemies, you have to hold down on your direction pad and press the 'A' button and if you want to build a block below you. Hold down your direction pad and press the 'B' button

And in an action game like Tang Tang You don't stop and look at which button is which. So I always get messed up with the 'bomb' and the 'build' button. Which really makes me mad because you only have a limit amount of bombs and I always wasted it :(

Sound: 6/10
Well, it's pretty average I supposed. Each theme has a different song. And there is that annoying 'ting' sound when you destroy a rock or a monster. The music is okay and not too repetitive.

Story: ???
Seriously, I couldn't give you a point for this one...there's a short preview in the instruction booklet. But it's as clear as mud. And other than that little paragraph of preview in the instruction booklet, the game just don't mention about the storyline anymore. They just tell you to collect crystals, proceed to the next stage. -_-''

Graphics: 7/10
The cute animation in the game is probably one of the cutest thing in the game. From a little pengiun to a purple thing that flies in a spaceship...it's all sooo cute! And the background ain't that bad either. Each has a different theme. So if you are playing against the 'underwater' course. The background will have some fishes or some seastars. I don't know if it's average for GBA standards, but it looks good to me :)

Replayability: 7/10
Even though the whole game is just collect crystals and stuff. It actually doesn't get that repetitive. And the stages get harder and harder. Once you beaten the game, you may have the urge to play it again.

Overall: Tang Tang may seem like ''Bomberman'' by its look. But it's a totally different thing. So if you are looking for a ''Bomberman'' series, don't buy ''Tang Tang''. But if you are looking for an average puzzle game, then ''Tang Tang'' may be worth your time to check it out

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 09/25/01, Updated 09/25/01