PANDEMONIUM by Crystal Dynamics (for Sony Playstation)


This game hasn't seemed to generate the discussion levels that some of the
other games of this type (Crash Bandicoot or SEGA's NiGHTS for instance) have
done, but make no mistake, this game is extremely well done, and is one you
shouldn't pass up an opportunity to get and play for a long while.

Crystal Dynamic's is the same company that created one of the earlier hits on
the 32 bit systems:  Gex!  At the time that Gex! was released, it was one of
the best games out on any system, and in some cases (the 3DO system) was a
reason to go out an purchase one of these next generation systems.

>From appearances in this game, it seems obvious that Crystal Dynamics knows
how to get good results on these platforms.  Pandemonium shows the efforts
that these folks have gone through, and demonstrates them well in the final
product.


How did we get here?

There are two main characters in Pandemonium, Fargus, the off-center jester,
with his demented stick-puppet friend and partner Sid,  and Nikki, a
mischievous young acrobat from the Flying Fleugel Family.  These two
characters have become bored with their everyday lives and have, by chance,
wound up together at Lancelot Castle and Bingo Pavilion where they are
interested in a Wizards in Training Seminar that will be taught by the one and
only Tony Vu, the Worldly One who had nothing and now has everything.  Nikky
and Fargus attend the seminar but are quickly bored by the monologue that Tony
Vu is spouting forth.

When Tony Vu breaks the seminar for a donuts and refreshment break (and a trip
to the restroom), Nikki and Fargus decide to follow him to see what they can
get into.  One the way the Worldly One trips over a carpet wrinkle, an ancient
book slips out of his wizard's backpack.  Nikki sees the falling object and
makes a quick acrobatic move to catch the book before it hits the ground and
catches the wizard's attention.

A quick look at the book reviews that it is titled "Ancient Wizards Spellbook"
and has some notes on it in stating that persons "Must be fully trained and
licensed to use" it and warning (in small print of course) that use "May
result in danger and death".  When Nikki, Fargus and Sid realize what they
have, they quickly exit onto a balacony to experiment with their new found
materials, and from their it's all down hill.


So much for the history...

Actually, the FMV at the beginning of the game is worth watching at least once
to see Nikki experimenting with the spells in the wizard's book (with Fargus
and Sid encouraging her to try even more).  After letting the bad guy loose,
Nikki and Fargus start to realize what they have done, and start worrying
about how to undo the damage they have done.  At the very end of the FMV is a
clue from the spellbook that tells you what must be accomplished in the game.

The game itself is played as either of the two main characters, either Nikki
or Fargus (with Sid along for the ride of course).  Both of the characters
have different attributes that help them in the task, with Fargus having a
"rolling move" and Nikki have an extra "double bounce" move.

Along the way there's the typical "coin collection" to gain points needed for
extra lives, "hearts" which can collected to restore "hit points" (definitely
needed as you go through the game), "gold rimmed hearts" which add heart
positions to hold additional hit points (also definitely needed as you go),
additional lives ("ankhs") and other things that help make the trip more
"fun".


But if I can't make it all the way through?

Well, as with most games in this genre there are the typical "check points"
that let you restart the level from the checkpoint that you last passed.  This
can be important as you play through the game since you'll probably get
frustrated fast at having to replay through levels that you've been through
previously.

The one possible downside to the game in this area is that it doesn't make use
of memory cards for saving game status, and instead only uses "passwords" that
let you restart from the last successful level.  This isn't necessarily bad,
but it does necessitate that you make a list of the passwords somewhere, which
could be lost in a shuffle if you aren't the organized type.   Of course the
use of passwords can also be an advantage if you get stuck, since they can
easily be posted on web sites or in newsgroups 8^)


Ok, I understand the game, how about details...

Pandemonimum doesn't disappoint in the graphics and sounds areas.  There's a
pleasant, but not distracting musical sound track in the background.  The
music "fits" with the game, and doesn't seem out of place with the activities
while the game is going on.  Of course this should be expected in a game
anyway, and whats found here isn't extraordinary in any way.

The graphics on the other hand are somewhat special.  There's a lush 3D world
to explore, though your players move on the typical "tracks" in the game, and
can't deviate from the course they way characters in Mario 64 (on the Nintendo
64) can for instance.  The backgrounds are bright and colorful, and nicely
rendered.  The characters move smoothly throughout the environment and look
like they belong in the game environment.

Within the game there's also very cool "shapechanging" that can be done when
you run through special gates in the game.  Pass through the gates correctly
and you can magically changed into a fire breathing, and flying Dragon, a
charging Rhino, a super high jumping frog, or a virtually invulnerable (while
he's in his shell) turtle.


Is there more?

Oh yes!  Lots!  Lots of special weapons and power ups throughout the game. 
Lots of neat devices to play with, and use to your advantage to complete the
levels.  And lots of baddies to worry about running into.  Oh, don't forget
the secret areas either!

The documentation that is included with the game explains most, if not all, of
these items, and even includes a generic walk through that tells you what
needs to be done in each of the levels.   (Of course it doesn't tell you how
to do anything, just what has to be done).

All told, 18 levels of fun and pleasure, not counting the bonus rounds and
secret areas.  Enough to provide several hours (or maybe days) of
entertainment, and enough to make this game a recommended addition to your
PlayStation collection.




Rating: 7/10 (rated lower because of long-term replay value) 


Barry C. Dowell


Vital Statistics

Genre:  Adventure/RPG/on track platformer
Game Format: 1 CD for PlayStation
Publisher: Crystal Dynamics
Audience: K-A (Kids to Adults)
Players: 1
Memory card: no
Passwords: yes
Street price: $51.95 - $59.95