Charisma Lee Review

Although the ludicrous dialogue is reason enough to play this game, it's not just a novelty title.

Play the only game that asks the burning question, "Is love an extravagancy for me?" Join Charisma Lee in the eponymous first-person brawler that chronicles the famous hero's fight to save his beloved fiancée, Susan, from a group of teenage reprobates. As Lee, you must battle flying bananas, hurled sandals, and the game's hokey, poorly translated dialogue.

Charisma Lee opens when the game's protagonist finds a sort of ransom note:

"Attention Lee!!!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!

We are taking Susan!

-The Punks"

Those punks are up to no good again! Lee leaps into action, facing an onslaught of garbage hurled from all corners of the screen. You must destroy the trash by punching in their section of the screen at exactly the right moment. Phone pad keys 1 to 6 aim punches in particular sections of the screen. Keys 7 to 9 access power-ups, which should be rationed strategically. Food increases your health meter, hearts completely replenish it, and alcohol makes you tough and raring to go.

After punching garbage for a while, you face Charisma Lee's first boss, Doggy. Boss fights are the meat and potatoes of this game. Doggy, like the game's other two bosses, dodges and weaves around the screen, throwing punches from all directions. When he punches, you must hit the corresponding punch button to block. When Doggy punches low and from the left, you must press the "4" button to block. In between blocks, you can punch at Doggy, thus wearing him down. This fighting system, although simple, is actually quite satisfying. After some practice, you'll be able to block a torrent of punches and remain unscathed.

Unfortunately, Doggy doesn't have your fiancée and neither does Dighead, the next boss. Dighead informs you, in not so many words, that Susan doesn't love you anymore. Apparently, she is deeply infatuated with the Punks' leader and his bad-boy image. Despite the kidnapper's own assurances to the contrary, the final boss fight is quite easy. If you save Susan, you will be treated to a screen of the couple happily engaged in some serious smooching.

Charisma Lee is one of those oddball titles that you can't help but enjoy. Although the ludicrous dialogue is reason enough to play this game, it's not just a novelty title. Charisma Lee is woefully short, but its addictive fighting system (Whack-a-Mole done right) and its decent graphics should be enough to make you want to play through the title several times. Only the brevity of the game prevents it from receiving a higher score.

The Good

  • N/A

The Bad

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