Pandemonium

Almost two years before Pandemonium!, Clockwork Knight on the SEGA Saturn was an early example of a platformer using scaling and 2.5D to add depth to its background visuals. However, in 1996 there was something magical about how Toys for Bob's camera wrapped its side-scrolling gameplay around the curvature of paths and buildings, so it's no joke to state that PSone Pandemonium! expanded upon 2.5D's visual potential. With a determination to combine 32-bit 3D graphics with traditional 2D gameplay, the single-player journey of Fargus the jester or Nikki the acrobat is a strictly linear 18 level progression through its Mystic Map of Lyr – plus defeating three separate circular boss stages for the reward of three wishes from the Wishing Engine. Yet, it's also no jest to articulate that Pandemonium! was bested a year later by Klonoa: Door to Phantomile as PSone's truly spellbinding 2.5D platforming game.

54%Game Brain Score

music, graphics

story, stability

62% User Score Based on 286 reviews

Critic Score 68%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $6.99

Buy NowGet on Steam$6.99

About

"Pandemonium" is a single-player platformer game set in a 3D world with fast-paced action and diverse levels. Players can control either Fargus the Jester or Nikki the acrobat, and have access to shape-changing abilities and power-ups. The game is enhanced by its beautiful soundtrack and cinematics, and immerses players in a magical and mysterious atmosphere.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 288 reviews

music22 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

Pandemonium offers a nostalgic experience for players who enjoyed the original game on PS1, with its vibrant graphics and unique 2.5D gameplay.
The soundtrack is highly praised, with catchy tunes that enhance the overall experience and evoke fond memories from the past.
Despite its flaws, the gameplay can be fun and engaging, with interesting level designs and the ability to transform into various characters with unique abilities.

The Steam port is criticized for being a lazy and poorly executed version of the original, with numerous technical issues such as crashes, unresponsive controls, and a frustrating password save system instead of modern save options.
Many players report inconsistent performance, including the game running too fast or freezing, making it difficult to enjoy the gameplay.
The lack of customizable controls and a proper options menu adds to the frustration, as players struggle with awkward key mappings and the inability to adjust sound levels.

music
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The music in *Pandemonium* is widely praised for its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, particularly in the later levels. However, the PC version suffers from significant drawbacks, including the loss of multiple tracks per level and issues with audio volume control, leading to a less favorable comparison with the original PS1 version. Overall, while the soundtrack is memorable and nostalgic, its execution in the PC version has left many players disappointed.
- “One aspect of Pandemonium that deserves special mention is its unbelievably good soundtrack.”
- “The music perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The music has a very unique fusion going on, as composed by Burke Trieschmann, instilling feelings of adventure and mysticism along the way.”
- “One of the biggest issues with the PC version of Pandemonium is that it uses Redbook audio, which means that most of the original soundtrack had to be cut.”
- “The way the music is handled in this version compared to the PS1 version is atrocious.”
- “Without the music, it feels like it's had its soul ripped out by the publishers - and as you progress through the game and the levels get longer and longer, the music issue becomes a much bigger problem.”
graphics
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
63%
8%
The game's graphics, characterized by low-poly visuals and a nostalgic psychedelic art style, evoke fond memories for players, despite being dated by modern standards. While some reviews note that the visuals haven't aged well, they still appreciate the vibrant colors and unique design that contribute to the game's charm. Overall, the retro graphics and 2.5D gameplay are celebrated, particularly by those who have a fondness for early 3D gaming aesthetics.
- “The psychedelic art style transports players back in time, evoking a sense of nostalgia that is hard to resist.”
- “Every level and the lovely graphics and backgrounds wake memories I believed forgotten.”
- “Now let's talk about the glorious retro graphics.”
- “Of course the graphics didn't age well, but what would you expect?”
- “If you don't mind the dated graphics.”
- “Graphics were old and not at all updated - but colours and scenery in this game are to die for.”
gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
62%
9%
The gameplay in "Pandemonium!" is characterized by its fast-paced, frenetic action and simple mechanics, including running, jumping, and shooting, with the added ability to transform into various creatures. While some players find the gameplay basic and somewhat outdated, many still enjoy the nostalgic experience it offers, enhanced by a vibrant soundtrack and visuals. Overall, it remains a fun platformer that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers to the genre.
- “The funky visuals, unforgettable soundtrack, and frenzied gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre, both old and new.”
- “Gameplay in Pandemonium is fast-paced and frenetic.”
- “Just don't mind the story, it's total BS, but the gameplay is really fun, so enjoy the journey!”
- “The gameplay is very basic: you run, jump, shoot, duck, and in some levels you can turn into different animals/creatures: a rhino, a frog, a turtle, and a fire-breathing dragon.”
- “But not only looks and sound make a platformer, and the actual gameplay is kinda lacking.”
- “Gameplay itself is outdated despite the strong showing for the time period.”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
The story features a circus performer and a court jester who inadvertently summon a monster that devastates their village, leading them on a quest to restore it using a "wishing engine." However, reviewers find the plot simplistic and lacking depth, often describing it as frustrating and not particularly engaging, suggesting players focus more on the gameplay than the narrative. Overall, the story is seen as a weak point, with many calling it "total bs" and not essential to the experience.
- “The story revolves around a circus performer girl and a court jester who steals a book from a wizard convention. Nikki performs a level 10 spell summoning Yungo, a monster from another dimension who swallows the entire village.”
- “They quest to reach something known as the wishing engine to restore the town to its previous condition.”
- “It doesn't need a complicated story; it's so basic, go there and explore one weird world.”
- “Tldr: frustrating, vexing, and without much in the way of story.”
- “The plot isn't anything too special, and while I believe this was supposed to be a comedy, only two movies aren't really that much of a window to get a feel for the characters.”
- “3D is good for the time but mostly trash for today, and there is not much of a setting or story.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, frequently crashing and freezing the entire system, particularly when using a PS4 controller or attempting to pause or exit. Players report needing to restart their computers due to these persistent problems, which include glitches and input lag, making for a frustrating experience. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, detracting from its enjoyment.
- “This game just crashes from the get-go. I am using a PS4 controller, and if you pause the game, it just freezes my entire computer.”
- “I love this game and appreciate being able to support it, but my only gripe is that when I exit the game, it freezes and I cannot close it, forcing me to restart my PC each time.”
- “Game goes to a black screen and completely freezes your PC, requiring a restart whenever you press the Esc key.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The game's optimization is noted to be inconsistent, with levels initially starting at high speeds before normalizing, which some players find odd. However, many users report that the game runs smoothly on their systems without bugs or performance issues, maintaining the fun they remember from their childhood.
- “The game has worked fine with my system, downloaded perfectly, and there have been no bugs or performance issues.”
- “It's optimized a bit weird, but it's still just as fun as I remember it was as a kid.”
- “The performance is inconsistent; levels start with mega speed, but after a second they normalize.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in *Pandemonium* is enhanced by its visually appealing backgrounds and engaging music, creating an immersive experience that complements its action platforming gameplay.
- “Pandemonium is an action platformer with some nice atmospheric backgrounds and music.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often citing confusing and ineffective controls that hinder the experience.
- “Controls are useless and confusing, tedious at some point.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the character Fargus, who is noted for being quite funny, while Nikki's performance also stands out positively. Overall, the comedic elements are well-received, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
- “Fargus is pretty funny, but Nikki was on the spot!”