Havoc looks like a kid’s game. The crazy subtitle, Hamsterviel Havoc, sounds
like a kids game. The idea of playing as a blue, indecipherable alien and a
young girl isn’t very grown-up either.
Why does it matter? Why
should we care about a title that was developed for gamers that weren’t even
born when Nintendo 64 was first released?
Lilo & Stitch 2:
Hamsterviel Havoc may appear to be a kiddie game. Appearances can be
deceiving, however…
I would have to pick this
shot wouldn’t I? What a great way to back up my hints that this is not a
kiddie game. Let’s try this:
That didn’t work either.
I guess I won’t be able to show the truth – I’ll have to tell it.
Almost instantly, Lilo &
Stitch 2 reminded me of my favorite side-scrolling shooter: Metal Slug 3. The
gameplay is very similar. Major differences include faster movement, higher
jumping capabilities, fewer weapons and weaker enemies.
Every action is
seamless. The controls are easy to learn, which is not uncommon with Disney
games. What makes them great is how much you can do without putting forth any
effort. Stitch doesn’t have a whole lot of friends, at least not in the game,
nor is the world he explores safe to navigate.
These dangerous platforms
are no match for him though. His double jump enables him to jump over most
dangerous areas without a hitch, and reach tall platforms and rock formations
without a stit…er…you get the point.
Blasting alien scum is as
easy as pointing and shooting. Press the direction pad left or right to run
(not walk) in that direction. Firing Stitch’s weapon will cause the ammo to
be shot in that direction. Same goes for when Stitch is looking up. If you
press up on the D-pad while firing, he’ll eliminate any overhead attackers.
The game wouldn’t be like Metal Slug if he couldn’t attack diagonally – Stitch
can do that, too. And when’s landing a jump or falling off a ledge, press
down and the attack button simultaneously to shoot downward!
Weapon upgrades make
Stitch’s blaster more powerful for a limited time. Grenade-style weapons
enable him to attack enemies that might not be easily killed with his
blaster. Sometimes it’s not even about the strength of an enemy as it is the
location. The platform might be positioned in such a way that you can only
walk under it or jump up on the side. Stitch can’t shoot through platforms,
and jumping leaves you open for attack. That’s where the grenades come.
(Note to parents: they’re
not actually grenades. This game isn’t violent in the least bit. The content
is on the same level as the film and TV show.)
As far as mini-games go,
the Game Boy Advance usually stinks. It’s not the unit’s fault though – it’s
up to developers to make their mini-games entertaining.
For Lilo & Stitch 2,
Climax created a fun mini-game that resembles Spy Hunter. It also plays
better than the Game Boy Advance version of that game!
The controls here are
simple too: steer left and right. The A button is never used for anything but
to accelerate, however, the B button is not used for breaking. Enemies soar
through the sky, attempting to remove Stitch from the road. You could dodge
their attacks and work your way to the finish line, or make ’em pay by firing
your vehicle’s weapon! That’s what the B button is for. The aim works the
same way as it does in the rest of the game – steering left means that is the
direction where the weapon will be shot.
Despite being
lighthearted and fun most of the time, Lilo & Stitch 2 has a dark side that
might turn off some players. Not a dark side like one that ensues violence or
anguish, but rather a dark side that could put you to sleep.
The game is called Lilo &
Stitch 2, so it’s to be expected that you’ll play as Lilo part of the time.
She doesn’t have any real weapons though, or the lightning-quick actions of
her alien comrade. Technically it makes sense that the developers would want
the game to follow suit, but this is one aspect I wish they had been more
creative with.
Lilo’s stages are
intended to be like puzzles. The main goal is to figure out how to reach the
end, which is done by walking (not running) through the stage, looking for the
best way to cross, say, a lake that’s too big to swim through. You might do
things as exciting as hanging from a ledge, jumping over a box, or pulling a
switch. (Now that I think about it, "anguish" is debatable.)
You could easily write
this off as just another average, movie-licensed game, but it’s not that
simple for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the Stitch missions (which there are more
of, thankfully), but Lilo’s snoring adventures are hard to forget. They’re
short though. Every stage is. Lilo & Stitch fans of the younger set will be
engaged with this title for a long time, no doubt. Kids will want to beat it
over and over again, if only to play through the awesome Stitch levels. Even
with the Lilo stages, Climax deserves no less praise for what they’ve
achieved.
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Gameplay: 7.5
Do you want to
play Metal Slug without being challenged? Maybe you want to get your little
brother to play Metal Slug with you, but first would like to train him in the
art of side-scrolling shooting? Lilo & Stitch 2: Hamsterviel Havoc is the
perfect game for that. It’s got all the side-scrolling, non-stop shooting
action you love from Metal Slug, without the constant need to worry about
dying by the hands of an invincible foe.
Only downside: Lilo’s
stages are the complete opposite.
Graphics: 7.5
Smooth sprites
and colorful backgrounds make this one of the better-looking GBA titles
released this year.
Sound: 7.5
Funky music and
funky sounds complement Stitch’s funky look.
Difficulty: Easy
Given the game’s
target audience, Lilo & Stitch 2 is purposely devoid of a serious challenge.
Concept: 8
Can’t give ‘em
praise for developing a game that plays like another (Metal Slug). You can,
however, give Climax an endless amount of praise for creating a game that’s
very close to the one they were trying to emulate.
Overall: 7.5
Shoot ‘em up
Heaven, puzzle-solving torture. Despite its flaws, Lilo & Stitch 2 is
guaranteed to entertain its target audience. It entertained me, an adult
gamer who doesn’t like all that sissy kid’s stuff. I must say though, aside
from the Lilo stages I never felt like I was playing a kiddie game. The
gameplay is very mainstream; easy to love by all who experience it. For
certain, no one will be disappointed by Stitch’s levels.
