Donkey Kong 64
Reviewed by EViLiNK
I have to say, (and proudly), that I am one of those people who can't
wait for a game and I rushed out and bought Donkey Kong 64 the moment
it was released. After all the hype put on the game as being 'one of rare's
masterpieces', who could resist? If it was anything as good as Jet Force
Gemini, it had my stamp of approval. Unfortunately, I have to say that it
didn't even come close. Sorry rare, but it's true. In this review, I'm going
to pick apart this game and show what they did right, and circle in red pen
what they did wrong. I loved the original Donkey Kong games, they were
long, hard, challenging, everything I asked for out of a NES game. So I
thought, that OBVIOUSLY a N64 DK game had to be WAY better. The game
DID do some things right, but it left out more then it could ever make for.
Here's the scoop:
Graphics: 10 out of 10
Now this is the games incredible strong point. I have to say that I have
honestly never seen better, and believe me, that's hard for me to say
considering how much of a Z64 fanatic I am. The colors are superb,
wonderful contrast to them, and just the same way you feel they should
be. The island is beautiful and bright, and the colors get paler as you get
higher up the island giving you a feeling of climbing a mountain. When you
get close to K-Rool's place, everything is suddenly dark and gloomy. As
well as color, the use of polygons was wonderful, with only a few
over-lookable glitches. All the character's movements and textures are so
real that you almost feel they could pop out of the screen. ALMOST.
Music and Sound: 7 out of 10
I feel that by giving the music 7 out of 10 I'm being charitable. The
music definitely has life to it, and is animated and 'fun' enough to match
the bright colors is the game. I have definite problems with it though.
There isn't enough range to the music, and though it has it's uplifting
points and it's depressing points, there just isn't enough of a melody
change to get the effect it should. In the levels, the music is always
suitable and fits the mood perfectly, but still, the themes are often SO
similar that you wouldn't know what level you were in if you didn't have
eyes. That sounds stupid, I know, but compare the sound in DK64 to the
music in Z64. No contest.
Game Challenge: 5 out of 10
*dies laughing* You have GOT to be joking. This game WASN'T a challenge.
Period. The plot is merely stuck in there for added benefit, and pretty
much built on top of the graphics. I think too much time was spent on the
graphics and.. they forgot to put in everything else. I beat this game in
three days without trying. NON-continuous playing people!! The levels are
simple and you barely have to look past your nose to get everything you
need out of the level to get to the next. They don't hide ANYTHING, and
everything is so obvious that it's well... laughable. The ONLY challenging
part in the entire game was the original donkey kong arcade game. That's it.
Game Play-Fun: 7.5 out of 10
I have to admit, the game wasn't a total flunk. I DID have fun playing
it the first time around, and found a certain amount of satisfaction
from Klumsy falling on Krool. The ending was also an original idea,
and that made it better, but still. WAY too easy. I don't feel sorry
for buying this game, it was fun while it lasted, a fun experience.
The big problem is that it was to short an experience. I think Rare
needs to work on their priorities a little more next time.
Frustration
Woooowwww. They hit the jack pot here. I was sure frustrated at
one point I tell you. Frustrated at how EASY it was. This was a truly
'beautiful' game, but not one with any real content or challenge to it.
I think that 'a work of art' best describes this game. Quick, now lets
hang it on the wall.
Game Value: 7 out of 10
I'd have to say that I am happy with what I got Dk for and would never
consider returning it. Who knows, one day maybe it'll appreciate in value,
then it'll REALLY be worth it's price.
Mini Games: 10 out of 7.5
Donkey Kong's makers at least included something that was enjoyably
replay able in here. he mini game all involve killing your friends I'll
admit. But isn't that the REAL point of mini games. *grins* Besides, I
enjoy kicking peoples butts as much as the next person. Just like the
rest of the game, the graphics are beautiful, the ideas are original, but
there just isn't enough to them and they just aren't long enough. sigh.
Overall: 6.5 out of 10
Overall, I have to say that this game was pretty terrible, but not as bad
as some others I've played. *cough* Turok 1 *cough* Anyway, I'd have to
say that if you are an unexperienced gamer, or are just looking for a bit
of clean but short lived fun, this is for you. But, if you're like ME...
Long live Zelda!!!