VeggieTales: LarryBoy and the Bad Apple
Score: 80% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Crave Developer: Crave Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Platformer/ Family/ Themed
Graphics & Sound: VeggieTales: LarryBoy and the Bad Apple was a delightful surprise. When the game was first handed to me, I thought it would be filled with Biblical references and Sunday school lessions (much like the VeggieTales series). But instead, I found a fun platformer that, while it did have a very strong message, wasn't overtly religious, making this game a nice blend for both Christian and secular homes that still want to give their kids a good lesson. LarryBoy follows the graphical style of the series, the new movie, and each of the characters that fans of the show will easily recognize. Soundwise, VeggieTales isn't half bad either. Not only are the voices and sound effects fairly well done, but the game also includes over 30 classic VeggieTales songs.
Gameplay: Following the general outline of the new movie, VeggieTales: LarryBoy and the Bad Apple gives you control of our cucumber of a hero as he resists temptation and stops Bad Apple from taking Bumblyburg. LarryBoy is Bumblyburg's only hope in stopping the evildoer before she tricks the city into turning control over to her. And to do it, she won't even have to use guns; no, she will use a much more sinister weapon -- temptation. Bad Apple has the ability to create a world that is made up of a particular person's temptation and she will use it to convince the various higher-ups to shirk off their responsibilities. Being the only person that can go into these temptation-ridden areas, LarryBoy must use his large array of gadgets and abilities to pull the mayor, reporter and other officials out of their special worlds, so that they can govern the city the way it is supposed to be governed. LarryBoy's abilities include a spinning whirlwind attack that takes down crates, trees and Temptation Guards around him. He also gets a water gun filled with his favorite sports drink so that he can shoot targets. And of course, there is LarryBoy's Plunger-Grapple that allows him to get to objects that are too far away for him to reach.
Difficulty: VeggieTales: LarryBoy and the Bad Apple is a game that pretty much any kid will be able to finish. The levels are straightforward and the puzzles found throughout it are typical of what you would find in any platformer. The learning curve is almost non-existent for anyone who has played a game of this style in the last five years. Because of that, pretty much anybody should be able to pick it up and play without much trouble. If there is any gripe against this game, it is that it is too short. The average gamer will have no problem finishing up LarryBoy in a weekend, while it might take a little more time for the younger players to work through the various challenges that Bad Apple has in store for the citizens of Bumblyburg.
Game Mechanics: VeggieTales: LarryBoy and the Bad Apple contains a few mechanics that lend this game to being both kid and parent-friendly. Not only does the game itself present a good moral lesson that kids will want to hear through the fun adventure, but other aspects like a built in egg-timer will ensure that kids only play for a desired length of time. Executing LarryBoy's various moves couldn't be simpler. X makes LarryBoy jump, Circle and Square uses his Energy and Heavy Weight capes (which makes him heavy enough to push buttons or fill him with energy to power electronics) respectively, while the R1 and L1 buttons activates the Whirlybird and Power Drencher (the aforementioned water gun) powers. L2 activates LarryBoy's Plunger Grapple. The controls are easy to get acclimated to. Now excuse me while I hum several of these highly addictive songs in shame.
-J.R. Nip, GameVortex Communications AKA Chris Meyer
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