Crazy, over-the-top, viewtiful action.
Viewtiful Joe is a 2.5D beat 'em up, developed by Clover(makers of Okami and God Hand). While it sports 3D graphics, the game plays like a 2D side-scroller. Now that you know what kind of game it is, let's move on to the review.
GOOD STUFF:
Viewtiful world
The game looks really, really good. The cel-shaded graphics strongly resemble the fantastic-looking Okami, albeit with more of a comic-book feel. Regardless of how many enemies and special effects were on the screen, the frame rate never dropped. The special effects when you use your powers are pretty sweet - for example, when you go into Mach Speed, the wind effects and after-images really give you the feeling that you're moving at insane speeds.
Viewtiful moves
The combat in this game is awesome. The basic moves aren't all that exciting - you can punch and kick - but what makes the combat so good is the VFX powers. There are three of them.
"Slow" allows you to slow down time, making it easier to outmaneuver enemies. It also gives you attacks extra power, and can be used for puzzles. For example, a propeller-driven platform that's too high to reach can be lowered by slowing down time, which makes the propeller spin slower.
"Mach Speed" allows you to move at incredible speeds. Unleashing a flurry of attacks on enemies will produce after-images. These aren't just for show - the after-images will attack enemies, allowing you to simultaneously beat several bad guys. The power is also used for puzzle-solving - for example, going into mach speed will make propellers spin faster, raising the platforms they are attached to.
"Zoom In" does just that -zooms in. You'll get a close-up view of Joe, and gain some very powerful attacks.
The VFX powers are restricted by a meter, but fear not. The meter will quickly refill when you stop using the powers. Anyway, hitting and enemy in slow motion to make him stagger and then going into mach speed and punch away is great fun, putting this game's combat a notch above most 2D side-scrollers.
Craziness
The game is very Japanese, with completely over-the-top, insane stuff happening. You'll destroy tanks by punching their shells back at them in slo-mo, fight ninja-spawning helicopters in a city while surrounded by fountains of magma, and get bitten by a dim-witted, flying shark. Yeah, this game is completely crazy, in an awesome way.
BAD STUFF:
Confusing puzzles
The puzzles in this game can be really confusing, and I got stuck several times. For example, at one point the game gave me a load of bombs without telling me what to do. As it turned out, I was supposed to kick one of them into a sewer hole, which at first seemed to be there just for decorative purposes. Thankfully, the confusing puzzles aren't all that frequent, and seeing as they aren't the main part of the game it's not something that should keep anyone from buying the game.
Short
The game only lasted for around 9 hours, and that includes the time spent at confusing puzzles. There are alternate characters(like Dante from Devil May Cry), several difficulties and the option to start a new game while retaining all the powers you have in a cleared game, but if that doesn't interest you, there isn't really a lot to do after beating the game. However, since the game is a few years old, you should be able to find it for a low price.
Final Verdict:
While there are a few frustrating puzzles, and the game is kind of short, the game's positives definitely outweighs it's negatives. Viewtiful Joe is easy to recommend to anyone who likes crazy, over-the top action and/or 2D side-scrollers.