The Final Word game review

Fantavision -- Sony Computer Entertainment

R.I.P.
Without a doubt, Fantavision is to the PS2 what Tempest 2000 was to the Jaguar. It's big hurdle is that it didn't have a classic arcade game to build a player base from. This game is basically a combination puzzle game/shooter, but more than both combined.

A lot of people I've talked with don't get the game, and to be honest, while I thought it was fun at first, it wasn't until the game clicked with me that I really gained a full appreciation for it. The basic premise is you have various colored "flares" come onto the screen. You highlight them in groups of three or more, and then detonate them for points. You can detonate multiple groups simultaneously for combo points, or in rapid sustained succession for "chain" bonuses. So far I've been able to solve all of the regular game modes and pulled off a 170+ chain in the chain challenge mode.

The music in the game is awesome as are all of the in game effects, although the cinemas are pretty weird. Game play is super tight, as you would expect form a very high paced action-puzzle game. In many ways the game made me think that it had to have been inspired in part by elements of content coming out of the northern European demo scene. I don't really know how to explain it, but the game has a very strong "demo" feel about it (when I say demo, I'm not talking about demonstration, I'm talking about computer animation "demos"), and the music has a very strong "mod" flair to it.

My only complaint about this game is that it way to short. Once the game clicked with me and I got on a role, I knocked out the normal game mode and plowed through hard game mode in one evening. Sure I've played again to get a higher score and work to perfect my chain building ability... but that only goes so far.

While I understand this game isn't for everyone, if you are an old-school shooter fan, are enjoy things like solving the top Tetris levels on your NES, then you really owe it to yourself to check out this game and give it a chance. I honestly have to say that I think this game is probably the most innovative title to come out in a few years, and one of the best games of 2000.

(01/2001)