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Let down by the PSP

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 29 / 29
Date: July 06, 2005
Author: Amazon User

One tends to wonder about the motivation behind Ape Escape. Someone at SCEA obviously believes that the idea of a boy running around catching monkeys makes a fun game. And who can say he's wrong? Despite its apparent quirkiness, Ape Escape: On the Loose, the latest offering from the Ape Escape series, is one of the most addictive games you'll ever find on the PSP.

If you're new to Ape Escape, you may be interested to know that the premise of the game is as simple as it can get. Monkey gets special helmet and becomes super villain. Said monkey hatches evil plan rule the world by sending monkeys (duh!) back to the beginning of time to replace humans as primary life form on Earth. Hero travels through time to deal with all these monkeys. It's not the most original story, but one that somehow worked very well for the PS2. To a certain extent, it also works for the PSP, albeit with limitations.

The gameplay is straightforward. You enter each level needing to conquer different worlds in it, much like the concept from Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. You'll be given a time limit to capture a number number of monkeys, using a number of gadgets along the way. Understandably, the challenge gets tougher as you progress, so don't be surprised if a game seemingly targeted at kids actually give you a hard time.

It doesn't help when the controls are somewhat clunky too. The original Ape Escape is a game that relies heavily on both the analog sticks on the controller. Specifically, the right analog stick activates your gadgets. We all know that the PSP has no right analog stick, so the gadgets buttons are now assigned to the triangle, square and circle buttons. Pressing a button will switch to the respective gadget. The problem is, while the analog stick allows you to swing your gadget in all directions, the buttons only allow you to swing straight ahead. As a result, you'll need to continuously align your directions before you swing the gadget. If you've played an Ape Escape game before, it'll take only a while before you get really frustrated, because even the simple act of netting a monkey now becomes insanely difficult.

Still, it's difficult not to like Ape Escape: On the Loose, simply because it's so different from others. In an industry suffocated by games that look like carbon copies of each other, Ape Escape is a refreshing air that brings back some nostalgia. Remember those days when you take on turtles and flying mushrooms? Ape Escape feels like that.

Of course, the presentation is also top-notch. The graphics are vibrant, with great details all round. The various renditions of monkeys appearing on your screen are amusing to say the least. The music is also lively, providing a nice tune that fits the game well enough as you continue to smash your buttons away. In short, the presentation of the game is everything you'd expect from paying a premium price for. It's for the same reason that gamers would find themselves hooked on the game despite its suspect controls.

Apart from the story mode, a series of mini-games are also included, but they are only available for multiplaying. This is obviously a move to "add value" for the buyer, since the PSP does support wireless gaming. Unfortunately, these games appear to be hurriedly developed, and are generally uninspiring. I'm thinking that most gamers will conveniently skip this part of the game, and concentrate on the main adventure instead.

In conclusion, Ape Escape: On the Loose is an acceptable effort in bringing the Ape Escape franchise onto the PSP. The graphics and sound effects are as good as you can expect, and even though the limitation of the PSP decreases the enjoyment level a little, the controls aren't bad enough to make you give up. If you're a fan of good old-fashioned platformers, you may just end up enjoying this monkey business.

3 1/2 stars for an alright game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 19 / 19
Date: April 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I recently purchesed Ape Escape On the Loose, at first from reading the reviews I was unsure if I should get it or not. But being a huge fan of the first and second for the ps1 and ps2, I had to try it.
The game itself is infact a copy of the first game, but i have no problem with it really because now I can take it on the go.

Someone before me stated that the graphics are alittle dated, and yes, I will say I've seen some better stuff on the demo CD. But the graphics themselves are now along the lines of AE2, and now the characters look more anime like (a plus to me) and the expressions are more clear.

The voices are now much more clear, not the best acting, but it sounds like they are putting more effort into the voices. Though, the voice for Spike has been changed but for the better IMO. He sounds more younger and the voice fits him better. As for the others, I think they have the actors from the first game doing the characters.

The controls, are what I had the most difficutly with.
Those who played the ps1 and 2 versons of AE know the controls;
triangle, square, circle, and X are used to select weapons.
Left hand joy stick to move Spike. Right hand stick to operate weapons. Right shift buttons to jump (took me awhile to get used to). Left shift buttons to shift view or go into close range.
The PSP control as we know has a different control layout which in the process messes with the controls that we used to know.
Now;
Only triangle, square, and circle are the only buttons you can use weapons with, while the X button is now the jump button.
Because of the absence of the right joy stick, you have to use your weapons by tapping the button the weapon is set to (square, circle, triangle). The left shift has the same use as before, but the right shift is now used to crawl.

Mini Games are still in here (along with Spector Coins) but one thing I like is how the games are a little touched up

*spoilers*
Like in the first game you had Skikids 2, now you got Snowboard kids 2, feels like playing SSX with the AE characters.
And Monkey Boxing is a little more addictive. So far, thats all the games I've unlocked.
And to make things more interesting, theres and extra mini game for 40 coins.
*end spoilers*

So, to rap this up, Ape Escape On the Loose is just like the first with no changes to the levels, aside from improved graphics. If you don't mind alot of loading times ( yes there is alot of loading) and the new controls this is a good buy, but I will agree, not worth $40 dollars. If you don't want to blow your money, or you can't wait for the price to drop than stick with the PS1 verson.

Poorly designed and very slow to load

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 15 / 18
Date: March 28, 2005
Author: Amazon User

My 5yr. old son and I gave this game a try and quickly lost interest as the game repeatedly went to a "Loading..." screen with waits of more than 15 seconds. It was ridiculous how frequently we had to wait for a level or even just a menu. They actually show an ape sleeping while you wait for screens to load! So, that's what we did - put the game to bed.

Additionally, while moving the character around a level with the analog controller, it's impossible to change the line of sight with the arrows at the same time. You're forced to stop and look araund before proceeding to the next objective. Not sure if we're just not used to the controls, but it just added to the frustration.

easy, obsessive and fast paced

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 12
Date: July 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I have had this game for less than two days. already i am 45% through w/ story mode. The gameplay is the easiest its ever been. It is much easier too play on PS2 b/c of the grip analog stick but overall its still fun. At times there are glitched and that can frustrate you when it comes to cathching monkeys.

MINIGAMES
- the minigames are really fun but in order to play the mini games you need a certian amount of specter coins. 10 will get you snowboarding. 20 will get you boxing(my favorite) 30 gets you an obsticle course and 40 gets you ping pong. You cannot play these games multiplayer unless you play w/ another person who also owns a psp.

GRAPHICS
-the graphics are very good. remember its a psp 4 inch screen. the monkeys are very simple and jake(main character is designed well as well.

GAMEPLAY
- this is probaly the wasiest game ive ever played in my life. so if you're looking for a hard game that will take more than a week to beat, i suggest sumtin else. Thats why i bought ape escape used i knew id be done quickly. also when playing for a long time your fingers and palms become sweaty which makes you lose control of the joystick. OVERALL GREAT GAME

Yeah we have a psp platformer. Shoot me now.

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 11 / 17
Date: November 16, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Do not get me wrong. I am never more delighted than when I find a fun actionpacked, creative and intuitive platformer. Any mario game will do. Ape Escape could not be worse. Terrible graphics, terrible control, boring gameplay. Did the developers decide thay were going to be creative by developing a game that threw out all of the core mechanics of a great platformer?

Bottom Line: Skip this one. Is it fun? Not at all. Will I keep it? Nope. Is it for kids? Well, it has monkeys but that is about it.

Fun but easy

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: December 26, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I have another ape escape game but the analog stick made it too easy. I finished it in 3 days (the ps2 version) this one took a month but I still thought it was easy. Most of the month I spent getting the extra stuff.

It sucks!

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 7 / 10
Date: December 20, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I'll give you very valueable advice................DON'T BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Very boring,long loadtimes,bad grapics,and horrible gameplay

ape escape on the loose

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: August 15, 2005
Author: Amazon User

the monkeys are so hard to catch! the graphics are good though. i recommend not to buy this game unless you like to chase monkeys for a long time. some times its hard and you keep dying and it makes you frustrated. and another thing to play minigames you need a lot of coins which is hard to get. and everything takes a long time to load. i would recommend wipeout pure, twisted metal headon and coded arms.

An exact clone of Ape Escape for the PS2.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: March 30, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I grabbed this when I bought my son's PSP, based on how much we enjoyed Ape Escape and Ape Escape 2 - but despite the different name, this game has the exact same levels as AE2, which was very disappointing. Throw in awkward controls and long load times, and it's not the best gaming experience.

a good game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: July 21, 2005
Author: Amazon User

One of my favorite psp games at the launch. The graphics feel like a mix between ape escape 1 and 2, but i liked them. You weill have hours of fun with this game. Even though it is on the short side and is reletivly easy to beat, the mini games will keep it going, and with the multiplayer it will have a healthy life in your pocket. My advice is to take a look at this game, it is easy to learn to play. Even if you don't like this franchise, and you have a psp don't keep this game in the dark.

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