The original PlayStation version of Parappa the Rappa won widespread critical acclaim for its high playability and originality. Based on the new classic rhythm and action formula, surely now an accepted genre in itself, where only accurate and well-timed button presses are necessary. Parappa now moves onto the PlayStation 2 with all of the incredible visual upgrades that the format offers.
If you’re new to the series, Parappa is basically made up of 2D cardboard style characters in a 3D world. This gives the game a distinct look and feel that you won’t find anywhere else. And the music is also catchy, if a little cheesy in places.
At the top of the screen there are two lines of symbols that you must match up with corresponding button presses at the right time. Try to imagine a mucial computer version of Simon Says. This is where all those hours of memorising the pad layout comes in useful. If you have to glance at the pad when you’re playing, it’s likely that you’ll come unstuck on the trickier sections. You can insert additional rhythmical presses as long as they are in time with the music, which often lead to higher scores, better ratings, and the so-cool freestyle mode.
The power of the PlayStation 2 allows for all new kinds of spectacular backgrounds to be displayed in real-time. Pure eye-candy, but there’s nothing wrong with that. In one stage, the cast are miniaturised and must escape from roaming giants, a very impressive scene. Like previous games, what actually occurs in the backgrounds depends on your playing skill: a few mistakes in a row could spell disaster. Don’t let your rating slip or it’s game over.
The gameplay is simple, but feels really fresh, and more importantly it still retains the fun, quality feel of the original. Parappa the Rappa 2 is ultimately a party game that’s best played with friends. It’s got style and is easy to get into. It’s nice to see old faces such as Chop Chop Master Onion return, and even Lammy pops in for a cameo appearance.