Console Review: Pandemonium 2 (bmg interactive) playstation

One of the weirdest games to have appeared on the Playstation in recent times is Pandemonium. Now you can enjoy some more mayhem with its successor, Pandemonium 2.

For those unfamiliar with the original, you control either Fargus, a psychotic jester, or Nikki, a lycra-clad acrobat. You travel across a series of psychedelic pseudo-3D worlds, jumping from platform to platform, killing baddies with the aim of finding "The Comet of Infinite Possibilities". Along the way you collect tokens which, if you gain enough of them, will give you access to a bonus level where you can ride on a surf board down a railway track.

There are a number of new technical features in this that weren't in the first game, including a camera angle which shifts automatically according to the player's position. However, beneath its dazzling exterior, this is still a conventional two-dimensional platformer: you still can't explore your environment as you can in Mario 64. As a result its appeal is limited - no matter how well constructed the levels or how good the graphics, jumping from platform to platform is only fun for so long.

Nevertheless, in the short term, it is very playable. The levels are well thought out and there's an interesting array of devices to help you on your way. The graphics are extremely good and give you a great sense of speed. Pandemonium 2 is definitely worth a look, but doesn't make it into the Hall of Fame.

Released:now, pounds 44.99

PC Review

Blade Runner

(westwood studios) cd-rom

Sci-fi movie tie-ins for the PC are all the rage; Fifth Element and Men in Black are on the way, but right here now is Ridley Scott's classic, Blade Runner.

The game follows the plot of the film fairly closely; you control a blade runner called McCoy who has to solve a series of crimes for which Replicants are believed to be responsible. This is by visiting the various crime scenes, collecting clues, solving puzzles and questioning other characters. One major change from the film is that if you sympathise with the Replicants, you can choose to help them by withholding evidence from your colleagues.

Westwood has done a fantastic job reproducing the look and feel of the film. It's frighteningly easy to lose yourself in McCoy's dark and seedy world for hours on end. Much of this is down to the awesome presentation. The use of motion-capture technology produces wonderfully realistic character movement, the full-motion video sequences are a joy and the attention to detail is mind-boggling. This, in addition to the voice-overs by many of the original cast members, makes playing the game a truly cinematic experience. But it doesn't matter how well a game is presented if the gameplay's no good. Fortunately, that isn't a problem here. There are loads of different characters to interact with and the puzzles are extremely tough.

If you liked the film you'll love the game. Even if you didn't like the film you'll love the game. Go get it.

Released: now pounds 44.99