Hey. This video was originally meant to cap off 2022 as a sort of Christmas special, but is releasing now thanks to me having been stuck across the country. Enjoy!
No shade to Astro's playroom, but I really wish they would have made a new Ape Escape as free launch title to showcase the Dualsense controller and all its features. It would have been a nice callback
This was great, Calcom-I really appreciate how well you approach each of your reviews and make every game feel honestly considered and appreciated. Also I love your use of the Crystal Islands skybox for filling in the video background, a much appreciated touch noticed by someone else who loves the vibe of those Spyro skyboxes ✌🏻
I always loved how this game had a quirky, 90s anime feel. The gadgets in this game were so unique, I always loved exploring the worlds and unlocking them all! Also the amazing OST. It's on Spotify btw!
It’s amazing how you’ve reviewed all 3 of the original ape escape games on PS1 and PS2! Some of my all time favourite games ever! I seriously can’t get enough of them. I would love to see the third game brought out to PS4 and PS5 but rift the inclusion of the metal gear solid mini game, it’s probably easily said than done.
I remember picking this one up from a local video store on a weekend hire, only to get home and find out it needed an analog controller. Luckily my best friend next door had one.
I know you brought up the differences in voice acting and it's fine to focus on the american version, but since you stressed that the kids sound way too old there, I feel I must say that they actually sound like kids in the european version. It's worth at least watching the cutscenes of the other versions, I think. I particularly love Specter's voice in the european version. Reminds me of Tim Curry and that's awesome.
I remember my copy of Ape Escape coming with a Dual Shock in it's packaging. I had no clue how game changing (pun intended) two analog sticks on a controller would be at the time.
I've played both versions of this game a ton and I had absolutely no clue about those potted plants collectibles. You learn something new every day I guess lol
Heck yeah, Ape Escape time! Honestly, the PSP critiques are fair, as much as I will defend that release, but the OG version is classic for a reason. (EDIT: Now that On The Loose is on PSN, it'll be interesting to see if the jump to a dedicated controller improves the experience) Love that you gave such a thorough context for the DualShock too. Funnily enough, my partner and I were talking about the controller design the other week, and couldn't understand why the PS never did offset thumbsticks. And then I explained that the design is iconic and PS specific, and it all made sense.
To this day, I haven't found a game with a control scheme like that of Ape Escape, and I think it's almost entirely due to lack of trying and narrow minded thinking. All you need to do is commit to the safe, standardized ideas that the right stick should control the camera in a 3D game and that X/A should be the jump button and you're already miles away from making a unique control scheme that might be better suited for the ideas you come up with later. About the standardization of the jump button in particular: Are you familiar with Returnal? I love that game, however, jump being bound to the X button by default makes no sense. In a third person shooter in which you can move, aim, shoot, jump and dash all one after another and some at the same time, the default control scheme makes you constantly take your thumb off the right stick, so you can't dash or jump while aiming. I think it makes much more sense for jump to be on R1 and dash on L1. Maybe, just maybe, Ape Escape was onto something.
Hey. This video was originally meant to cap off 2022 as a sort of Christmas special, but is releasing now thanks to me having been stuck across the country. Enjoy!
No shade to Astro's playroom, but I really wish they would have made a new Ape Escape as free launch title to showcase the Dualsense controller and all its features. It would have been a nice callback
It would've been a good way of testing if people were interested in further series projects, that's for sure!
This was great, Calcom-I really appreciate how well you approach each of your reviews and make every game feel honestly considered and appreciated. Also I love your use of the Crystal Islands skybox for filling in the video background, a much appreciated touch noticed by someone else who loves the vibe of those Spyro skyboxes ✌🏻
my comment from earlier about you reminding me of nitrorad is a huge compliment and of course you have your own style, and a good voice
Best ps1 soundtrack imo
Thank you for the great content as always! Quickly becoming one of my favourites to watch, please don't stop the amazing content for this channel. 🤧
Thanks. I'll keep 'em coming as long as there're people who'll watch.
Gotta say this is my new favorite video of yours cal.
your format is so nice, part history part review. i feel like im completely informed on a cool game when im done with a vid
This is what I've been waiting for!
I'm really interested in seeing the spin-off games I dont think anybody really talks about them and kinfa forgot they exist.
I always loved how this game had a quirky, 90s anime feel. The gadgets in this game were so unique, I always loved exploring the worlds and unlocking them all! Also the amazing OST. It's on Spotify btw!
It’s amazing how you’ve reviewed all 3 of the original ape escape games on PS1 and PS2! Some of my all time favourite games ever! I seriously can’t get enough of them. I would love to see the third game brought out to PS4 and PS5 but rift the inclusion of the metal gear solid mini game, it’s probably easily said than done.
Loved it! Now we need a sequel to this video for the PS2 games 😁
Tbh why did some 99 games still not have true analog? Gex 3 for example....
Got to beat this first time on PS5.
A true 3D
I remember picking this one up from a local video store on a weekend hire, only to get home and find out it needed an analog controller. Luckily my best friend next door had one.
I know you brought up the differences in voice acting and it's fine to focus on the american version, but since you stressed that the kids sound way too old there, I feel I must say that they actually sound like kids in the european version. It's worth at least watching the cutscenes of the other versions, I think. I particularly love Specter's voice in the european version. Reminds me of Tim Curry and that's awesome.
I remember my copy of Ape Escape coming with a Dual Shock in it's packaging. I had no clue how game changing (pun intended) two analog sticks on a controller would be at the time.
I've played both versions of this game a ton and I had absolutely no clue about those potted plants collectibles. You learn something new every day I guess lol
Heck yeah, Ape Escape time! Honestly, the PSP critiques are fair, as much as I will defend that release, but the OG version is classic for a reason.
(EDIT: Now that On The Loose is on PSN, it'll be interesting to see if the jump to a dedicated controller improves the experience)
Love that you gave such a thorough context for the DualShock too.
Funnily enough, my partner and I were talking about the controller design the other week, and couldn't understand why the PS never did offset thumbsticks. And then I explained that the design is iconic and PS specific, and it all made sense.
Monkey go bananas! (Please let my wife and kids go i promised i would comment like you told me too)
Yeah, but you also have to leave a like on this video as well as every future video released. I can't do anything until all of that is taken care of.
Omg. You made it ❤💋
I need to get this on PS5 eventually,the psp version stinks
To this day, I haven't found a game with a control scheme like that of Ape Escape, and I think it's almost entirely due to lack of trying and narrow minded thinking. All you need to do is commit to the safe, standardized ideas that the right stick should control the camera in a 3D game and that X/A should be the jump button and you're already miles away from making a unique control scheme that might be better suited for the ideas you come up with later.
About the standardization of the jump button in particular: Are you familiar with Returnal? I love that game, however, jump being bound to the X button by default makes no sense. In a third person shooter in which you can move, aim, shoot, jump and dash all one after another and some at the same time, the default control scheme makes you constantly take your thumb off the right stick, so you can't dash or jump while aiming. I think it makes much more sense for jump to be on R1 and dash on L1. Maybe, just maybe, Ape Escape was onto something.