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Ape Escape (PS1) - So, so good!
previewHi folks. Some of you may have read my previous write-ups on playing PS1 Games. I’ll link them at the bottom of the post.
This is part of my effort to play PlayStation 1 games that I’ve never played– and often never heard of– until now. I’m buying these games physically, popping them into my PlayStation 2, which is hooked up to an old Sony Trinitron KV-1981R TV, and trying to give each title its due. I love early 3D graphics, tank controls, and everything that comes with this generation.
Today I want to discuss Ape Escape. This is a 3D platformer and collectathon developed by Sony Computer Entertainment where you travel through time capturing monkeys.
Guys... this might be my favorite game on the PlayStation. Before I even started playing it, I popped in the disk to make sure it worked, and watched the intro cutscene. The level of charm, humor, and goofiness is off the charts. Dancing monkeys, monkeys with guns, chasing monkeys with a giant net...
Alright, Ape Escape, you got me. Chimps and apes all the way.
The gameplay is the classic collectathon formula. Travel to a new level, collect stuff, maybe get a new ability, rinse and repeat. But this game innovates in several ways that’s just genius.
First, having the collectible be monkeys that you have to chase around and catch in a big ol’ net never gets old. So often I’d be running around, slamming the net down frantically, literally shouting “Come here, ya little bastard!” while a sick drum and bass track blasts on. This adds a degree of challenge and humor to every level.
I was really impressed that these monkeys can climb, jump, and swim away from you, utilizing the level to put distance between you and them. They even jump in little UFOs or other machines to fight you. So good.
Plus, Ape Escape is the ONLY PS1 game that requires the Dual Shock controller, and they really make good use of the joystick. Slamming the net down in any direction, spinning to hover in the air, and even spinning around with the stun baton all works great. Aiming with the slingshot was smooth, too.
Many, many joysticks were blown out in playing this game, I’m sure. No different than Mario Party. I will say, the controls for the tank are... bizarre. Definitely the hardest part of the game for me.
The levels start out fairly small, which lends the early game a snappy pace. You’re traveling through time, dropping into a prehistoric area with dinosaurs, and quickly collecting some monkeys. Soon, you’re in medieval times and the levels become a little more sprawling. By the end game, the levels are absolutely massive. There’s a ton of variety and I never got bored.
Every few zones are broken up by a race level where you challenge your rival to reach the end of this sort of abstract race track. Remined me of those abstract levels in Super Mario Sunshine and make for a decent palette cleanser.
I do wish the game dropped the lives mechanic, which always feels so tacked on to these 3D platformers. I was never in danger of running out of lives, and by the end of the game, the “final” level even concedes that the lives system sucks, by literally giving you free lives to collect at certain particularly difficult platforming sections.
I also wish I could save without having the go into a sub menu. I get the memory card was technically optional for all these games, but the ability to be prompted to save after completing a level would have been a nice change. As it was, I saved after every level, which did drag the pace. And I’m glad I did, because just once the game froze up and required I re-do a level. First time that happened while playing on the PS2, but it made me even more paranoid!
And yes, I did collect all 204 monkeys and all the coins. I tried the skiing mini game, and it was interesting, but didn’t bother with the other two. Once you collect all the monkeys and beat the “final” level, there’s a secret final showdown with Specter. None of the bosses were difficult, and this one was particularly easy. Still, it was a nice surprise to get another level before the game ended for good.
Another small complaint is that while the story and voice acting were serviceable and fine in the beginning, by the end, there were some extended cutscenes that just felt off. I’m guessing its due to dubbing the cutscenes? That and the voice actors were just not great when there was a lot of dialogue. Not the game’s strong suit.
Seriously, if you haven’t played Ape Escape, you have to try it out. I was laughing my ass off throughout the game, just completely enamored with the charm and goofiness of the scenarios, music, and the vibes. I see now why this game is always mentioned when discussing PS1 games, and it has shot up to the top of the list right next to Final Fantasy 7-8 and all the Resident Evil games.
Right now, I’m playing Blaster Master: Blasting Again (what a title), and will follow up soon with my write up on that. See ya!
Prior PS1 Reviews: