-
Developer: SCEA
Publisher: SCEA
Genre: Platform
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 17 Mar 05
User Rating
7.8 (15 votes) -
- Those looking to relive the classic Ape Escape on the PSOne might be in luck, if not for the clunky controls and camera issues.
More Screens (4 total)
Overview
Do you like monkeys? Well I know this may not be your everyday question, but today we get to look at a game that is all about those cute little animals. For those of you who are still lost, today we are going to look at Sony's latest rendition in the Ape Escape series, Ape Escape: On the Loose for the PSP. So does this game take us back to the good old days of Ape Escape glory? Well your going to have to read our full review to find out!
Gameplay
I remember when Ape Escape was released on the first PlayStation. It was one of the few games that made full use of the controller's right analog stick, and turned out to be a sleeper hit. It was one of those games that you would look at and just be turned off at first, but once you gave the game a try it was just a really fun filled experience. Well for those of you who did enjoy that game you might be happy to know that this is exactly the same game (with upgraded visuals) on the PSP. So how did the transition from the original PlayStation to PSP go?
For those of you who have not played Ape Escape before, here is a little synopsis to get you more acquainted with the game. Basically you play as a little boy named Spike, who likes catching monkeys with his net. Basically he needs to catch these monkeys so they don't mess with time and ruin the whole world. The story, as you can probably tell, is very light hearted and doesn't really take itself all that seriously.
The game itself is really the same thing we saw so many years ago, and so I would have to warn you not to expect anything new with the game. Through each level it is your job to capture the monkeys, and although this may not sound all that exciting, the execution is not that bad. What I did notice however was that the controls and camera angles in the game had gotten "worse" over time and now just were really disappointing on the PSP. Both of these problems seem to add up a bit and make the game less enjoyable.
There are things to do after you have got through the single player, thanks to Sony, who included some mini-games you can play wirelessly with friends. Although these games like Ping Pong and Boxing are entertaining, they kind of lose their flair pretty quick and kind of seems not all that interesting in the long run.
Overall you are still getting a 3D platforming experience with Ape Escape: On the Loose, to be honest it's just really not as impressive as it once was on the original PlayStation.
Graphics
One of the more impressive things to talk about with Ape Escape: On the Loose is the visual department, which really is the one thing that has greatly improved from the original game.
The one thing that I really enjoyed about this game's visuals was the brilliant use of color, which gives the game such a joyful and light hearted appeal that in my opinion just helps the game out tremendously. The character models look good for a first generation PSP title, which could only get better as developers learn to fully take advantage of PSP visual capabilities. Overall Ape Escape: On the Loose goes for the light-hearted visual style, and I really think it works for the game.
Fun Factor
You know I love playing old games. In fact, not to long ago I replayed the original Metal Gear Solid for the PlayStation and had a blast. I was really looking forward to playing Ape Escape: On the Loose, but was really let down because the old experience to me seemed better then the new. The reason for this was because the controls just seemed so clunky and the camera gets in the way a lot as well. The game itself is fun, but these two problems really hold it back from being as fun as it once was.
Overall
Ape Escape: On the Loose is still a good platforming game that does do well for the Ape Escape series. If you really need a platforming game for your PSP, then this game may be a great way to start. But just be prepared for some frustrating controls and a somewhat unforgiving camera. For those of you though who have already experienced the original game, you might be better off just replaying that.
- Gameplay
7.0 - Graphics
8.0 - Fun Factor
7.0 - Overall
7.0
