Welcome to the world of "Chou-Kousoku GranDoll," where alien royalty meets platforming chaos! Imagine if a Magical Girl anime and Mega Man had a wild night out that ended up with an unexpected pregnancy; that’s exactly what this game feels like. Spawning from the anime OVA, this PlayStation title has a narrative so convoluted that a simple marriage proposal is interrupted by an UFO crash landing right in front of lovey-dovey couple. What could go wrong, right? Well, fasten your seatbelts, because it’s about to get bumpy.
As you glide through this sidescrolling gem, gameplay revolves around controlling Hikaru, the alien princess who is—surprise!—obviously unaware of her royal background. She bounces and jumps her way through a plethora of beautifully crafted levels full of your usual platformer suspects: enemies to dodge, power-ups to collect, and bosses that will have you finding creative curses to mumble under your breath. The combat system is both familiar and fresh, as players can unlock varying armor styles offering a delicious array of upgrade options that keep things spicy. Not to mention, there’s enough shooting involved to make any trigger-happy gamer smile! But let me tell you, battling the same few bosses while acquiring these armors might drain your patience faster than your mom at a family gathering questioning your life choices.
Visually, "Chou-Kousoku GranDoll" is an alluring sight reminiscent of the late '90s anime aesthetic. Bright colors explode from the screen, often blinding players (and not in a good way) as they try to engage with the entertainingly chaotic world around them. Every level feels uniquely vibrant, from lush forests to alien landscapes that might look like someone accidentally spilled fruit punch all over a science fiction set. Character designs are charming enough to make you want to cuddle your controller, provided it doesn't short-circuit from all that nostalgia. Enemies sport incredible attention to detail while also displaying enough absurdity to make you scratch your head and ponder if the designer was just having a bad day.
"Chou-Kousoku GranDoll" offers a delightful ride through a colorful platforming adventure rooted in the wild whimsy of its OVA. Its amusingly absurd storyline, coupled with engaging gameplay and eye-catching graphics, creates a package that appeals to fans of classic platformers and anime alike—even if it sometimes feels like a trip through the cosmic funhouse mirrors. A “can’t miss” for pixelated-loving masochists who enjoy dodging attacks, collecting goofy armor, and watching a girl find her place in a universe where she’s faced with aliens looking for her, thumbs and all.
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