It may not be so original now, but Ape Escape 3 is still a game worth playing.

User Rating: 8.5 | Ape Escape 3 PS2
Positive
- Over 400 monkeys
- Still uses a unique control scheme
- New morphs deepen the gameplay
- Numerous number of unlockables

Negative
- So easy that even a kid shouldn’t have much problems
- Bothersome camera, thanks to the usual controls
- Still can't catch all the monkeys in one go

If never played Ape Escape back in 1999 on the PS1 that was one of the most usual, best and strangest game of the generation thanks to brilliant ideas, and most of all a unique control scheme. After more than 6 years SCEA keeps that fun gameplay of that time combining in numerous extras and new morphs, even if it totally lacks challenge.

For those not familiar in Ape Escape your job is to catch those monkeys. This time around you get the chance to play as one of the 2 characters, Kei and Yumi. You can’t switch between them meaning that you play the whole game with him or her. Nothing is different except for one or two scenes and the morphs’ costume. Monkeys are causing trouble all over the world again using evil TV broadcasts. Following Spector and his new plan for conquest, it is the job of these 2 4th graders to put an end to his plan.

Not much evolution in the gameplay which remains fun nonetheless. The controls are almost the same as the original, moving with the left analog stick and directional buttons for the camera which takes time to get used to at first but can remain bothersome. Use your gadgets that you collect through the game to fight, like the club, the net of course, the radar and several others which are also all found in the original minus one. Jump with the R1. Overall it is strange and unique but fits the game’s unusual theme. There are over 400 monkeys in the game. Having different abilities, it should be harder than the original but the level of difficulty is so easy that even my 7 year old brother managed to beat the game up to 98%. Monkeys can dodge your attempt to catch them with the net, but you can stun them with your gadgets and even morphs. Some might try to steal your weapons which can become troublesome especially if they steal your net.

Monkeys still have different pants color. The yellow are the most common, but you can find blue, white, black, red and so on. Disappointingly enough these don’t make much of a difference in the end since you can catch every monkey without excessive difficulty. The morphs make everything easier, but on top of that these are cool to use, and at times essential to open door, pass over a large hole and stuff that normally can’t be done. There is a training room to learn about the morphs which you will have about 7 in the end. Like the gadgets these are obtained throughout the game. While in morph, the attack controls slightly change. All 7 have different properties so that it won’t become boring or repetitive. To catch a monkey, the character doesn’t use the net, but uses a special ability depending on the morph by pressing the R3 button. Kei and Yumi have similar forms, but since they are male and female, the morphs are applied to please them both. Morphs have time limit, 30secs each. You can get extra time by collecting green things you find when you destroy objects in stages, along with money and maybe a cookie.

The game can take a very long time to complete completely. Unfortunately the fact that you still can’t catch all of the monkeys in a single go remains, making you waste some unnecessary time. By buying extra morphs meters from the shops you can transform without having to fill the meter since you would have more than one available. With money you can also buy the soundtracks of the game, all of the cutscenes and even minigames.

Ape Escape looks good, but cartoonish. The characters have that anime-like look. But it looks cute, and there are countless levels different from one another. You can also take a quick shot of monkeys from a camera that can be found in stages. You only take that part, without catching the monkey. The music is great, but the voice acting is a little lame. Normal monkeys don’t talk but they make squeals.

It may lack improvement in certain key areas, but Ape Escape 3 is a great and simple platformer for anyone looking for something with an unusual theme. It is easy to get immersed for countless hours in this game. Everything is done like it was done before, including a good storyline and characters, great extras and morphs. This series still brims with originality, even if it was done before.

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Graphics = 8.4
Colorful graphics, monkeys and cartoonish look. There are a lot of stages with different environment.

Sound = 7.9
Great music, voice acting is a bit lame, and the sound effects needed some work in some fields.

Presentation = 8.8
Cutscenes are well made, the loadings are quick, and there are a lot of extras including minigames. Still uses the same controls from before and work well, except for the camera.

Gameplay = 9.3
Over 400 monkeys to catch, 2 playable characters, 7 morphs, and 7 gadgets. Overall familiar experience with a few tweaks, not all to the better. Although if you were a fan, you will most definitely look this.

Story = 7.8
Catching monkeys was done before with a better story. Total lack of challenge makes it more appealing for younger audience, adding the cute and colorful graphics. Takes a lot of time to get a full 100%.


OVERALL = 8.4
It may not be so original now, but Ape Escape 3 is still a game worth playing.