If you ever thought to yourself, 'What if I could punch Mojo Jojo in the face while playing a 3D fighting game?', well, you're in luck. Enter the delightful but rather flawed world of *The Powerpuff Girls: Chemical X-traction*. Released back in 2001, this game should come with a warning: used correctly, it might just cause blissful nostalgia mixed with the strong desire to throw your controller. Let's dive in, shall we?
In *Chemical X-traction*, players pick their favorite Powerpuff Girl-Blossom, Bubbles, or Buttercup-and jump into various modes of combat against a rogues' gallery of villains. There are a whopping ten playable characters, but let's be honest, you're probably only selecting one of the three girls for the most part. The gameplay loop consists mainly of bashing buttons until your foe's health bar hits zero, and there's certainly some charm in that simplicity. The story mode allows players to hurl objects at enemies, a feature that somehow manages to feel both delightful and utterly absurd. It's almost as if the developers thought, 'Hey, let's implement a mechanic where little girls throw apples and cans at their foes. What could go wrong?' In its simulator mode, you can test the fighting skills of villains and heroes alike, but just remember: your skills will matter very little if you have to fight your way through the AI's relentless button mashing.
Now, if you're expecting groundbreaking graphics, you'll want to lower your expectations to what's more of a 'you-gotta-be-kidding-me' level. The character models have the charm of cheap plastic toys - which is both a blessing and a curse! The environments range from colorful to bland, with some stages feeling like they were designed by a particularly bored intern. The graphics could use a healthy dose of Chemical X themselves because truth be told, they feel outdated even for the early 2000s.
In summary, *The Powerpuff Girls: Chemical X-traction* is quite the experience, though perhaps not the one hoped for by many players at the time. With its quirky charm and joyful absurdity, it offers a glimpse into the spirit of the beloved show, but the execution leaves much to be desired. Critics have not shied away from expressing their disdain, with scores like 1.5/10 floating around, which is a bit harsh considering the nostalgia factor. Considering a fresh playthrough? Just make sure you have your favorite comfort snacks nearby. Or better yet, a stress ball - you might need it!