Ape Escape PS5 4K - Part 21 - Final Boss (Ending + Review)
1After finally getting around to playing this game that's over 20 years old, here are my thoughts...
I loved this game...right up until Hot Springs, which I'll get into why down below. Here's my takeaway after beating the game.
+ (Positives)
+ Amazing color palette
+ Simple gameplay mechanics
+ Extremely fun gameplay
+ Level design
+ Short game that doesn't overstay its welcome
+ Capturing monkeys can be tricky, but rewarding
+ First game to use the DualShock controller in 1999
- (Negatives)
- Level design (There's a reason why it's listed on both)
- Controls. Controls. Controls. Did I mention controls!?
I don't have much to say negatively about this game, and though I am aware this game is a product of it's time, I'm trying my best to be fair regarding the negatives. Granted, the main two: level design and controls, I think, are heavily intertwined.
This game was easily hitting a 9/10 for me...until I hit Hot Springs. From that level onward, all the way until the final boss...the controls started to become extremely cumbersome and just...not fun to play with. I get that this game is of its time and the developers should be extremely proud of being the first to utilize the DualShock controller, but...we've come A LONG way since then, and the longer this game spends out in the sun, the worse it's controls age.
Ape Escape is definitely a fun, yet short game that doesn't overstay its welcome and for that I'm glad, but the controls leave a lot to be desired, especially when the entire game revolves around it for platforming. I can't tell you how many times the Flyer weapon just wouldn't go high enough, or I didn't hit the right angle, causing me to either fall to my death or completely miss a platform. Not only that, but also jumping using R1/R2. So many pointless deaths due to the control scheme. And the camera...just don't even get me started lol.
However, there is a phenomenal game beneath its terrible controls. The worlds are super interesting and unique, the level design is some of the best in recent memory (reminded me of Super Mario 64) and the characters are charming, albeit quite one-dimensional. If you can look past the controls, there is a gem of a game here. Though it might be difficult to capture - even more so than the apes that have escaped:)
Ape Escape - 7.5/10 (Would've been 9 if not for the controls that aged poorly)
Ape Escape on PS5 - 10/10 (Game ran phenomenally well. Zero issues and the rewind feature will help immensely when the controls fail you throughout the later levels)
Japan Studio should be extremely proud of this title. A one-of-a-kind and definitely a classic. However, the controls get in the way, rather than elevate what would've been an exceptional title, into a decent one. With a proper remake from Sony, I know Japan Studio would knock it out of the park.
Great jobs guys!
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Ape Escape PS5 4K - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6QvRRxniPCGDU9Mcb6IdhKIORhQWnc1S
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