Welcome to Radishland, where time is kept by a key, and I mean, it's about to get wild! Also, none of the locals wear pants, which is a considerable departure from your stereotypical RPG. 'Pu·Li·Ru·La' is a mind-bending, beat 'em up romp featuring Zac and Mel, two solidly dressed defenders of their time. That is, provided those ridiculous outfits count as solid. Grab your magic stick (yes, it's a stick that *does things*) and get ready to chuckle, because this game is downright bizarre.
The gameplay is as simple as it is outright ludicrous. As Zac, or Mel (who is basically Little Bo Peep but with a magic stick), you'll battle through waves of baddies with the sole purpose of... getting to the boss? I dunno, I'm not sure how a bad dude stealing a time key translates to marshmallow monsters, but we're in it for the ride! Combining the art of beatdowns with collecting animals is the primary focus here. Hit enemies, and they turn into animals, which you then collect for points - because apparently, turning foes into pets is the new trend in gaming. Who knew? If you walk into these adorable creatures before they run off the screen, you're basically a star! Game on, Totoro! The stages are filled with creative enemies that are *definitely* going to make you question your existence: giant moving flowers, men made out of fruit - I really can't stress this enough. It's like someone took a bad acid trip and turned it into a game. Each level sets up a boss battle; think of it as a curtain call after a spectacularly odd show. There's some delightful co-op play too, so if you've got a buddy, drag them along for the absurd ride!
Graphically, 'Pu·Li·Ru·La' looks like a snazzy explosion in a candy shop. The characters are colorful, quirky, and every level is adorned in a bright and bizarre art style reminiscent of anime where the production budget might have been spent playing Jenga. It's exaggerated, funky, and enough to make your eyes dance with glee. You could say it has that "I can't believe I'm playing this, but I can't stop" effect. In other words, expect to have a few characters that look like they belong in a children's TV show more than in a fight game. Yes, the visuals could appear somewhat dated in 2023, but it holds a certain charm that embraces the '90s arcade vibe.
In conclusion, 'Pu·Li·Ru·La' for the PlayStation is a riotous trip through Radishland with Zac and Mel fighting for all things animal-friendly and timekeeping. Although the game is a bit rough around the edges like a wool sweater on a summer day, it's still a fun beat 'em up that combines an oddly charming world with bizarre enemies that keep you guessing what could possibly come next. Prepare for some nostalgia but understand that this title isn't likely to dethrone your favorite modern brawler. Still, if you're looking for something decidedly different and more entertaining than your last gaming session, why not give it a whirl? Sometimes you need a little Pu·Li·Ru·La in your life.
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