When
the original Xbox launched, one of the inaugural titles was a four-player party
game called Fuzion Frenzy. While not exactly a critical smash, the game enjoyed
commercial success and is still sought after even in the Xbox’s waning years. The
sequel is finally out on the Xbox 360, and the game is largely what fans of the
original game would want or expect. There are tons of minigames (43 total) as
well as some online features. However, the minigames are nothing taxing, and
feel like slight variations of stuff that you’ve already played. Still, if
you’ve been clamoring for more Fuzion Frenzy, then now’s your chance.
Of the
different modes of play in Fuzion Frenzy 2, the Tournament mode is the most
substantial. The Tournament mode plays out a bit like a cheesy futuristic game
show. You compete through seven different planets, each with their own unique
themes and sets of minigames. You compete through each area, which include a
lava planet, an ice planet, a casino planet, and several others including Earth.
Working as a bit of a conquest mode, you’ll go through and win a set amount of
planets in order to determine the overall victor. However, you only win once you
hit the predetermined amount, meaning that the tables can turn at any time, or
games can go on between two worthy players for a long time.
The
game has a nice variety of minigames with 43 different games spanned across the
Tournament mode. However, the problem is that none of them are terribly
challenging nor original, and those looking for something new or daring in the
party-game genre will have to look elsewhere.
The
biggest and most important addition to the game is the online portion, which can
be played against human opponents over Xbox Live. This saves you the trouble of
mustering up your friends to come over for play and lets you play against anyone
over the net. This is good considering that the single player AI is never very
difficult and can be easily overcome.
While
the game does have some nice lighting effects and moves quite smoothly
regardless of the on-screen intensity, it still is pretty barebones in
appearance. The character models and environments would seem to be pulled from a
first-generation Xbox game were it not for the high-def visuals.
The
sound isn’t anything to get excited about. The music is forgettable and doesn’t
really add to the experience, and the announcing is extremely grating.
Fuzion
Frenzy 2 is not a huge departure from the original game, but rather gives you
more of the same. If you’re a fan of the original game, you’ll undoubtedly
appreciate the variety and the online play. However, if you didn’t like it, then
chances are Fuzion Frenzy 2 won’t change your mind.
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Gameplay: 7.0
The minigames are
pretty varied and can be fun in group settings, but they aren’t anything that
you haven’t played before.
Graphics: 7.0
A relatively
barebones design, the only way that you’d know the game was on the Xbox 360 is
the high-def boost.
Sound: 5.0
The music doesn’t
add nor detract from the overall experience, but the announcer is very annoying.
Difficulty: Medium
Multiplayer: 8.0
The online
component is a much-needed addition to the Fuzion Frenzy formula.
Concept: 7.0
While the
single-player mode feels like more of the same, the inclusion of online elements
are what set it apart.
Overall: 7.0
Fuzion Frenzy 2
won’t dazzle you with brand new game modes or a whole new party game concept,
but the online element will ensure that you’ll never have to play it alone.
