It could have been something special five or six years ago.
Gameplay: One of the biggest problems with this game is that it suffers from sluggish controls. They try and incorperate what appears to be a combat system. Although there is only one attack button after hitting it a few times you can use others to add to a combo. And I use the term combo very loosley. Things are at just a slow pace it's frustrating.
The game also starts off as if you have already been introduced to the characters and you've known them you're whole life. The game also feels generic, but truyly, what can be expected from a game called "Ruff Trigger"?
The Camera is not helpful. Just like the action the camera is sluggish, and there is no way to change the way your camera rotates. I found myself using the autocenter button more than I used my right analog system to fix my camera. It really should have just been fixed.
The targeting system for the guns was pathetic. Not only did it not target, your nearest enemy, or any enemy for that matter, it also didn't stay locked on.
The swimming was awesful. Although that can be forgiven because 1% of games can make a swimming level enjoyable. (Mario) The plus side however Ruff doggie paddles while above and underwater. I thought that was qute and thought about at least.
Although this game my look like it's geared towards children, and it does have an E+10 rating, they use profane language. Granted they say "hell", but that doesn't belong in a childrens game, or any game for that matter. It's definatley out of place. In once scene Ruff comes across a Piglot (the characters in need of rescuing) and states "What the hell is this thing?" It's just unnessicary.
Graphics: Bad. This is really bare bones as far as what's considered acceptable for PS2. The opening scene shows Ruff fighting off "something around the corner". I honestly didn't know that this was my main character. The art looks nothing like the translation to the game. The artwork on paper however I feel is really good. The manual has character designs that remind me of earthworm jim. If this game was 2D they could have had something special because they would have been able to retain the feeling they had from the artwork.
Sound: There seemed like there was always a delay in the responce time for dialogue. Sound effects also seemed like they overlaped each other, or cut each otehr off as I should say. If Ruff was talking and shooting at the same time, his words would be cut off inbetween shots of his gun. It also seemed like my subwoofer was going to explode when I was near a teleporter, even when my stero was turned to a very low volume.
If you're a very casual gamer and are looking something for your kids, there are still better games they can play. Sly Cooper, Jak and Daxter, and Ratchet and Clank to name a few. I won't say stay away at all costs because this was still a functional game. The game was in the ballpark, but it showed up on the wrong day.