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Review of Crisis Beat on PlayStation

by Tanya Krane Tanya Krane photo Jan 1998
Cover image of Crisis Beat on PlayStation
Gamefings Score: 6
Platform: PlayStation PlayStation logo
Released: 01 Jan 1998
Genre: Beat-em-up
Developer: Soft Machine
Publisher: Bandai

Introduction

Ever dreamt of a vacation on a cruise? Well, forget about sunbathing and sipping cocktails because in Crisis Beat, your holiday just got hijacked by terrorists! But fret not. You and your trusty sidekick are here to dish out some sweet, sweet justice, one punch at a time. Let's dive into the chaos together, shall we?

Gameplay

In the action-packed, oh-so-90s world of Crisis Beat, players are thrust into the plush (but perilous) environment of a cruise liner. The player can select two out of a quartet of characters, which is like choosing your favorite slice of pizza - tough but necessary. Each character has a variety of flashy moves at their disposal, perfect for delivering a knuckle sandwich to anyone with ill intentions. The gameplay revolves around fighting through waves of underdressed henchmen who somehow got the memo that disrupting your vacation is a sport. Move over hand-to-hand combat; it's less about finesse and more about who can throw the most punches! Somewhat reminiscent of classic beat-em-ups, Crisis Beat feels like riding a rollercoaster dipped in oil - chaotic but thrilling! The game features full-on 3D action, so you'll be dodging and weaving like a pro while throwing punches left and right. Levels are designed for straightforward brawling; clear out your enemies to move onto the next dramatic cruise catastrophe. Still, a quick warning: button-mashing is a valid strategy, but repeated attacks can sometimes lead to your character going off-script and turning into a dance-off or some other unfortunate fate. Who knew that unraveling the terrorist plot would involve so much flailing? Add a friend to the mix and you've got yourself a multiplayer mode, where friends can either team up to take out baddies or test their friendship by elbowing each other during a heated skirmish. Either way, there are plenty of laughs to be had over hacked-up combos and random acts of mayhem.

Graphics

Graphically, Crisis Beat is like stepping into a time capsule tailored for the late '90s. Picture it now: colorful 3D character models that might have looked groundbreaking back in the day but now evoke a delightful 'wow, I remember that.' The cruise ship interiors are bright, shiny, and, somehow, oddly reminiscent of those swap-meet knock-offs you'd find at a garage sale. From neon lights to exaggerated animations, everything screams 'Quirky!' Characters feel as if they walked out of an anime-inspired fever dream. Their animations sway between comical and bizarre-like attempting to take a serious kung-fu class while still being obsessed with the dance moves from a local disco. Despite the dated graphics, there's a charm. It's like diving into a friend's childhood photo album of awkward portraits and floppy hairstyles.

Conclusion

Crisis Beat might not scale the tall towers of beat-em-up legends, but it has its place in the shiny collection of PlayStation classics. It's a ride that provides laughs, nostalgic charm, and a gentle reminder of simpler times when you could blindly tap buttons with wild abandon. For the 18-year-olds looking for a trip down memory lane (or a way to kill an afternoon), Crisis Beat serves up a slice of delightfully chaotic gameplay. Just make sure you pack some patience and perhaps a prima guide, unless you want to experience the tragic dance-off in the middle of an epic duel. Enjoy the hilarity and remember: not all vacations need to be serene, especially when ninjas and terrorists are around!

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