Pandemonium
- October 8, 2013
- Crystal Dynamics
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.
Get on Steam"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.
Reviews
- Pandemonium offers a nostalgic experience for players who enjoyed the original game on PS1, with its vibrant graphics and unique 2.5D platforming.
- The game features a catchy soundtrack that enhances the gameplay and evokes fond memories for many players.
- Despite its flaws, the gameplay remains fun and challenging, with creative level designs and the ability to transform into different characters.
- The Steam port is poorly executed, with numerous technical issues such as crashes, unresponsive controls, and a frustrating password save system instead of modern save options.
- Players have reported inconsistent performance, including the game running too fast or freezing, making it difficult to enjoy the experience.
- The lack of customizable controls and a proper options menu detracts from the overall gameplay, leading to frustration for both new and returning players.
- music32 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in "Pandemonium" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, particularly in the later levels. However, the PC version suffers from significant issues, including the use of redbook audio that results in a reduced and glitchy soundtrack compared to the PS1 version, where multiple tracks per level created a more dynamic experience. Additionally, players have noted that the music can be excessively loud and repetitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“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.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a nostalgic low-poly aesthetic and vibrant colors that evoke fond memories for many players, despite being considered dated by modern standards. While some reviews note that the visuals haven't aged well, they still appreciate the unique art style and the game's ability to engage players through its quirky environments and memorable soundtrack. Overall, the graphics are a standout feature for fans of retro gaming, particularly those who appreciate the charm of early 3D visuals.
“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.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as fun and fast-paced, enhanced by a vibrant soundtrack and visuals, making it appealing to both new and nostalgic players. While the mechanics are basic and somewhat outdated, the combination of 2D and early 3D elements provides an enjoyable experience that evokes fond memories for those familiar with classic platformers. Overall, despite some criticisms regarding depth, the gameplay remains engaging and entertaining.
“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 :v 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 kind of lacking.”
“Gameplay itself is outdated despite the strong showing for the time period.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story features a circus performer and a court jester who inadvertently unleash chaos by summoning a monster, leading to a quest to restore their village. However, reviews indicate that the narrative is simplistic and lacks depth, often described as frustrating and not particularly engaging, with gameplay being the main highlight. Overall, the story is considered a weak point, overshadowed by the fun of exploration and gameplay mechanics.
“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.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is severely compromised, with frequent crashes and freezes reported, particularly when pausing or exiting. Users have experienced complete system lock-ups requiring a restart, along with glitches and input lag, making for a frustrating experience. Overall, the game is plagued by significant technical issues that detract 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.”
“If you get lucky past the title screen, then the game either freezes up or doesn't respond to any inputs.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is inconsistent, with initial high speeds that quickly normalize, but it remains enjoyable. While some users report a smooth experience with no bugs or performance issues, others find the optimization peculiar. Overall, it seems to function well on various systems despite its quirks.
“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.”
“The game has worked fine with my system, downloaded perfectly, and there have been no bugs or performance issues.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in *Pandemonium* is enhanced by its visually appealing backgrounds and engaging music, contributing to an immersive experience in this action platformer.
“Pandemonium is an action platformer with some beautifully atmospheric backgrounds and music.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often citing confusing and ineffective controls that detract from the overall experience.
“The controls are useless and confusing, making the grinding process tedious at times.”
“Grinding feels like an endless chore with little reward.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding quickly becomes boring and frustrating.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the character Fargus, who is considered quite funny, while Nikki also delivers notable comedic moments. Overall, the humor adds a lively and entertaining element to the gameplay.
“Fargus is pretty funny, but Nikki was on the spot!”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing.”
“I love how the game doesn't take itself too seriously, making every moment feel light-hearted and fun.”
Critic Reviews
Pandemonium! Review
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.
70%Pandemonium
66%
