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It's
here at last. The game that sold 750,000 copies in Japan. That means Parappa
the Rapper sold more copies than Resident Evil in the land of the rising sun.
I
have read many previews concerning Parappa since it was released in Japan over
six months ago but each description has somehow led me to believe that the
gameplay was confusing.
The fact is that Parappa the Rapper is
simplicity in it's purest form. Five minutes play is all it takes to understand
the rules. After only a few hours play you cannot get those catchy tunes out of
your head. Then your hooked.
This isn't going to be a very long review
because there isn't that much quantity to the game, but what is there in
abundance is sheer quality.
So what's it all about? Rap on.
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There
is no other game on the Playstation, or any system come to think of it, that
compares to Parappa the Rapper. It is one of a kind and could possibly go down
in video games history as a classic.
Someone, someday will take this
idea and expand on it, but any game that bares the slightest comparison will
always be regarded as a 'Parappa clone'.
No genre exists where Parappa
could comfortably fit into therefore we will simply label it a 'Rappin' game'.
If
anyone remembers the old 'Simon' game where you sat with an electronic pad on
your knee and repeated a given sequence, then you are half way there to
understanding the concept of Parappa the Rapper.
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The
graphical content matches the genre. It's unique. Although the game is set in
a three dimensional polygon world... the characters are wafer thin. Face front,
and they come to life, walking in front and behind of the props. Turn to the
side, and they appear as thin as a piece of paper, bending and rippling like the
cardboard cut-outs they really are. This looks strange at first but this soon
becomes accepted as part of the humorous aspect of the game. So why have the
characters been designed in such a way? Well, apparently the word 'Parappa'
means 'paper thin' in Japanese. Fair enough.
As the game progresses,
the story of Parappa unfolds using some splendid rendered scenes. The animation
is first class allowing the bright, colorful and detailed characters to come to
life.
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There
are many styles of music used in Parappa. The opening level features a Kung-Foo
theme that blasts out a hip-hop-scratch sound while other levels portray rap
versions of reggae numbers and funky chicken tunes before reaching the pinnacle
of your career, performing live on stage with the king of rap music. Each tune
implants itself firmly in your brain and you cannot get them out of your mind.
Superb.
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Parappa
is a young pup who is pining for the heart of a pretty little flower called
Sunny Funny. If he wins her undying love then goodness knows what he will do
with her, as dogs normally cock their legs up at flowers and pee all over them.
However, Parappa's determination leads him to the assumption that he must
believe in himself to succeed.
The first level sees Parappa confronted
by a bunch of thugs who wish to take Sunny Funny out the back and touch her
petals. Luckily, Superhero Joe Chin turns up to sort out these bullies but this
leaves Parappa a little jealous so he decides to learn how to fight.
Enter
Chop Chop Master Onion, who is a martial arts expert.
This is where you take
over the control of little Parappa as he begins his quest to become Master
Rapper.
Playing the game is simple.
The four symbols on your
Playstation control pad (square, triangle, cross and circle) and the two
shoulder buttons (R1, L1) each represent a different action for Parappa. The
triangle makes him kick, the circle - punch, the cross - chop, the square -
block, the L1 - duck and the R1 - turn.
Now all you must do is follow Chop
Chop's action's in time with the music.
To further help out, Chop Chop
will repeat each action out loud to help with your timing. Also the relevant
symbols appear at the top of the screen on a music bar and are highlighted at
the precise time you should press them. Now all you need is a little bit of
rhythm.
Doesn't that sound simple?
The game has a fairly easy
learning curve with single actions spaced out before moving onto more difficult
combinations such as chop, kick, block (X, T, S), therefore you will need to
remember where each symbol is on the joypad without looking, but that won't be a
problem to most of you out there.
Your rapping is marked throughout
each level from 'U rappin' cool' to 'U rappin' awful' while your rhythm is
scored on a points basis. If you are still struggling to complete a song then
the first three levels may be practised on an easy setting where your rapping is
not judged too harshly.
By the time you reach level four you should
be firmly in the groove so things will speed up a little.
After Joe
Chin parades his flash automobile in front of Sunny Funny, Parappa believes he
must learn how to drive and sets out to pass his driving test. This leads to a
rap with his driving instructor, Mooselini. Other levels include a neat reggae
rap with Prince Fleaswallow, the frog who works at the local market and Cheap
Cheap the Chicken teaches Parappa how to bake a cake for Sunny's birthday.
The fifth level has Parappa moving to the vibes of all four masters in
a competition to decide who goes to the toilet first (?) before your ultimate
task... rapping freestyle on stage with MC King Kong Mushi.
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Owning
a copy of Parappa will undoubtedly cause a few family arguments over who's turn
it is to play the game. It will instantly appeal to the kids with it's cute
cartoon characters and fun storyline, while the hip-hop catchy rap tunes will
surely grab the attention of the teenagers.
For older members of the
family the temptation to 'give it a go' will prove impossible to resist and I
can see this one being loaded in once the kids are all in bed.
During a
party the hi-fi will be switched off and Parappa will take centre stage as
intoxicated adults prove once and for all that liquor drastically affects your
reactions. It may even take the place of the breathalyzer. Imagine that, cop
cars fitted with a Playstation.
As far as value for money is concerned
be warned, the game is not that long. It won't take you months to complete the
game as the first three levels will be completed fairly quickly while the final
three levels will be cracked within a few days. However, if Sony set the price
low enough then I would recommend that no Playstation collection would be
complete without a copy of Parappa the Rapper.
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MARTIN |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
Parappa
is unique in both form and content. The amusing storyline, catchy tunes and
the 'just one more go' gameplay combine to make it the perfect party game. I
understand that a music single from the game is soon to be released in Japan,
while work is already well advanced on Parappa 2. Enjoy the tasty experience
now before it is shoved so far down your throat that it will eventually make
you vomit. |
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SOUND: |
Good |
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PLAYABILITY: |
Brilliant |
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VALUE: |
Good |
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OVERALL
8/10 |
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JIM |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
I
very much doubt that you will play this game for very long before completing all
of the levels, however, I dont think that this game tries to be anything other
than a great party game that everyone in the family can play. |
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SOUND: |
Brilliant |
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PLAYABILITY: |
Brilliant |
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VALUE: |
Average |
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OVERALL
8/10 |
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