Everybody's favorite two-dimensional, rappin' pooch is back in his own sequel, "PaRappa the Rapper 2." And although the game play is the same as the first installment for the PlayStation One, with a notch up in graphics, this may be one of the few games for the PlayStation2 that all ages can enjoy.
Although it may prove too difficult for some younger players, "PaRappa the Rapper 2" proves once again that you can get a laugh out of a video game without blood spewing everywhere.
The game itself is fairly simple: Players follow PaRappa through his adventures. Along the way he meets several music masters who challenge him to slug out a rap beat with them. Players must press button combinations with the right timing to make PaRappa groove to the beat. If PaRappa's beat is off, the masters will frown and tell the lovable dog that he's "doing bad."
The game's characters are still a quirky bunch. PaRappa's girlfriend is a talking flower named Sunny Funny, there's also a karate-kicking onion, an octopus hairdresser and a flower pot-headed colonel named General Potter.The game itself has feels like a children's book come to life, and the story is pretty much in line with that.
It seems everything in PaRappa Town is being turned into noodles, and PaRappa suspects the mysterious Noodle Syndicate is to blame. PaRappa and his friends work to battle the noodle-crazed group and restore their town back to normal. All the while PaRappa agonizes over impressing his girlfriend, Sunny.
The game play is fairly basic, but it encourages players to break away from mimicking commands and branch out and explore their own groove. Unfortunately, guessing what the computer thinks is a good beat can be puzzling at times.
Some combinations that one would think would be pretty funky ends up eating away at your score. What is helpful is a smiling boom box that warms you up at the start of each level with some exercises, using beats particular to the level.
There is a two-player battle mode as well as a battle mode against the computer. A ranking list shows your high scores against the computer, as well as other players. Although fun, the game is woefully short and can actually be beat within an hour.
But what makes this game shine is its complete lack of violence and gore, which tend to be the mainstay of many console games. The game is challenging enough for both kids and adults. Because of this, "PaRappa The Rapper 2" may be one of the few games parents can play with their children with fun for all.
"PaRappa The Rapper 2" is rated E for all ages.
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