Space Channel 5: Part 2

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 698 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
Space Channel 5: Part 2 Game Cover
Starting at $5.49Buy now
Get on Steam

In Space Channel 5: Part 2, play as ultra-cool reporter Ulala and help her rescue hostages from a dance-loving alien troupe through groovy rhythm-based battles. Use stylish dance moves to blast enemies and set hostages free, all while staying in time with the funky beats. Put your rhythm skills to the test and uncover the mystery behind the abductions.

Play Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 698 reviews
music95 positive mentions
stability17 negative mentions
  • Space Channel 5: Part 2 is a charming and quirky rhythm game that features a fun and engaging storyline, vibrant visuals, and a catchy soundtrack.
  • The gameplay mechanics are simple yet challenging, requiring players to memorize and replicate rhythmic patterns, which adds to the game's replayability.
  • The inclusion of iconic characters like Space Michael Jackson and the game's humorous tone make it a unique and enjoyable experience for fans of rhythm games.
  • The PC port suffers from significant technical issues, including audio desynchronization, input lag, and occasional crashes, making it frustrating to play.
  • Many players have reported that the game does not save progress properly, leading to repeated playthroughs of the same levels.
  • The lack of visual cues for timing can make the game difficult for newcomers, as it relies heavily on auditory signals, which may not be clear at times.
  • music212 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy, funky soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, with many noting its retro charm and variety. However, technical issues such as audio desynchronization can detract from the rhythm gameplay, leading to frustration. Despite these problems, the unique blend of music and gameplay, along with memorable character designs, makes it a beloved title among rhythm game enthusiasts.

    • “Great gameplay, amazing music with tons of variety (featuring genuinely some of Sega's best composers), and a metric ton of charm and personality oozing all over.”
    • “The music is incredibly catchy and changes depending on how well you do, making it a rewarding experience.”
    • “A wonderfully bizarre and cheesy rhythm game with incredibly catchy music that will keep you grooving the whole playthrough.”
    • “Sad to see a bad port of a rhythm game where the music, the most integral part of a rhythm game, is messed up.”
    • “The music is not in time with the dancing :(”
    • “This is noticeable as soon as I hit the second stage in story mode (which is not that far into the game!) the music is off key with pressing the correct buttons and that is vital in a game like this which ruins the experience.”
  • story80 mentions

    The story of "Space Channel 5: Part 2" is a quirky and absurd narrative that follows Ulala, a space reporter, as she battles rhythm rogues through dance-offs. While the main story mode is short, lasting around 1-3 hours, it features memorable characters, a campy plot, and engaging gameplay that keeps players entertained. Despite its simplicity and occasional gameplay issues, the lighthearted and self-aware storytelling, combined with a catchy soundtrack, makes for a fun experience.

    • “The story follows Ulala, a space reporter for Space Channel 5 who is also surprisingly good at dancing.”
    • “A wonderfully memorable game, with a great retro-futuristic aesthetic; an insane, hilarious, but heartfelt story; extremely charismatic characters (from a sensual space sheriff to Michael Jackson!); a really manageable but still demanding difficulty; and of course, an extraordinarily groovy soundtrack!”
    • “The story is cheesy but you'll come to like the characters.”
    • “The story is whatever, an added bonus to the gameplay.”
    • “Music slaps and the story is nonexistent.”
    • “I have literally no clue what's going on in the so-called 'story mode'.”
  • gameplay77 mentions

    The gameplay of Space Channel 5 is characterized by its simple yet engaging rhythm mechanics, akin to a musical version of "Simon Says," which can be both fun and challenging. While the game features a charming aesthetic and a fantastic soundtrack, players have reported issues with input latency and audio desynchronization, particularly in the ported version, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many find the gameplay addictive and rewarding, making it a unique entry in the rhythm game genre.

    • “Great gameplay (surprisingly instant inputs, no delays or input lag or offset setup requirements), amazing music with tons of variety (featuring genuinely some of Sega's best composers), and a metric ton of charm and personality oozing all over.”
    • “The gameplay does take a minute to get used to, but once you do, you'll be rewarded with a short, but charming, sweet, bubbly, and unforgettable experience.”
    • “Gameplay is basically Simon Says to music, so it's pretty much accessible to anyone, and the crazy settings and situations keep things fresh, funny, and entertaining from start to finish.”
    • “The controls become completely unresponsive once main gameplay starts, due to considerable latency.”
    • “Classic game terrible port; this game won't read your inputs correctly during gameplay, making the game unplayable and not very fun.”
    • “Audio and gameplay don't sync up right; this kills the entire game for me.”
  • graphics53 mentions

    The graphics of this rhythm game, originally from the Dreamcast era, are characterized by a vibrant retro-futuristic aesthetic that many players find charming despite its dated visual fidelity. While the art style and colorful environments are praised for their appeal, technical issues such as graphical glitches and audio desynchronization detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's unique visual presentation and nostalgic charm resonate well with fans, making it a memorable title despite its graphical shortcomings.

    • “A fun little rhythm game from the Dreamcast era that's dripping with a cool retro-futurism aesthetic.”
    • “Even though the graphical fidelity of the game is dated, the art style and environments are just gorgeous in my opinion, pairing this with an awesome soundtrack, charm oozing out of it, and great replayability makes it a perfect game in my eyes.”
    • “The graphics are a bit dated but still vibrant, and Ulala's dance moves still look good.”
    • “Graphic glitches, music cuts out completely and music desyncs, messing the timing up.”
    • “Desyncing, graphics settings not even working, general frustration.”
    • “The graphics are desynced from the audio.”
  • humor29 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its absurdity and charm, with players enjoying its goofy characters, hilarious storylines, and retro-inspired comedic elements reminiscent of classic 1960s and 1970s humor. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its quirky dialogue, funny dance sequences, and memorable interactions, making it a delightful experience that lifts spirits and keeps players engaged. Overall, the combination of a fantastic soundtrack and whimsical scenarios contributes to a uniquely entertaining and humorous gameplay experience.

    • “This game is absolutely hilarious and as someone who likes goofy and funny games as well as rhythm games, I really enjoy playing it.”
    • “Everything about it is so random and hilarious, the music is absolutely phenomenal, and the man himself, Michael Jackson, is in this game.”
    • “Plenty of moments had me laughing out loud, and I had a huge grin on my face the whole time I played.”
  • stability17 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches, audio desynchronization, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay and make it difficult to complete certain sections. While some players report that these bugs do not severely impact the overall experience, many express frustration with the game's technical shortcomings, particularly on modern systems. Overall, the game's stability is a notable concern, with many users describing it as "buggy."

    • “Unfortunately, it's so buggy at times you can't play the game properly.”
    • “My own copy, which I purchased not too long ago, has very few scuffs on it and no scratches, yet the ending of the game glitches to the point where you lose visuals, audio, and rhythm, making it insanely difficult to complete the end of the game.”
    • “Buggy as heck, no way for a perfect playthrough when the sync between sound and video is off.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through various modes, including a challenging "world 2," a story mode with collectibles, and a dance arcade mode that encourages players to improve their scores. Users appreciate the humor, hidden commands, and the overall charm, which enhance the replay value despite the game's short length. Overall, it is highly recommended for fans of rhythm games due to its engaging content and replayability features.

    • “Even though the graphical fidelity of the game is dated, the art style and environments are just gorgeous in my opinion. Pair this with an awesome soundtrack, charm oozing out of it, and great replayability, and you've got a perfect game in my eyes.”
    • “The game provides a phenomenal experience with a bunch of replayability and a funky soundtrack to go along with it.”
    • “Aside from story mode, there's a long challenge mode which you can play, and the main story stages have replayability value for collectibles and secrets, like special outfits for Ulala.”
    • “It's a short game with a decent amount of replayability, and it's worth checking out if you like rhythm games or are just fond of old Sega games.”
    • “There lies a ton of replayability in not just improving your scores, but in Ulala's dance arcade mode.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting severe issues such as glitches at frame rates above 30 fps and poor synchronization that can render the game unplayable. While the innovative gameplay and cinematic performances are praised, the overall lack of optimization detracts significantly from the experience.

    • “There's sections of story levels that change depending on your performance, and you might even get a completely different set of lyrics if you're playing poorly in a boss compared to if you did everything perfectly.”
    • “In sum, it is very good for its cinematic performances and its innovative gameplay compared to traditional rhythm games.”
    • “Nothing about this game is optimized: running this game above 30 fps will cause in-game sequences to glitch and can throw off the rhythm.”
    • “The only issue I have with this game is optimization.”
    • “Incredibly poorly optimized, horrible sync makes this particular version unplayable.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, as it artificially extends gameplay time through excessive requirements for 100% completion. Many feel that the game, which consists of only six stages and a challenge mode, does not warrant the level of grinding needed to achieve all accomplishments.

    • “I don't want to start finding the game tedious, but that's exactly what this fake longevity seems designed to do - make what is ultimately a brief game with six stages and a challenge mode into something that takes much longer to 100% complete than it has any right to.”
    • “My main gripe is that getting 100% achievements is tedious and annoying.”
    • “If you prefer grinding to make your character better, this is not for you.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in this game is highlighted through its unique and quirky character designs that contribute to its cult-classic status. While the gameplay is simple, the futuristic aesthetic and engaging music enhance the overall experience, making it appealing to fans of rhythm games.

    • “This is a simple game overall that has attained a cult-classic following due to the quirky character designs and music.”
    • “If you're looking for a fun rhythm game with catchy music, cool character designs, and Michael Jackson (yes, the Michael Jackson), this is the one for you!”
    • “Not in terms of art style, mind you, this game's Y2K identity and futuristic character designs go hard.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring friendly and enthusiastic characters that create a wholesome atmosphere. Reviewers highlight its heartfelt story, memorable retro-futuristic aesthetic, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience, making it a delightful journey filled with humor and charm.

    • “This game is the best remedy if you're feeling down. Every character is so friendly and enthusiastic, but in a wholesome and humorous way, not an annoying one.”
    • “A wonderfully memorable game, with a great retro-futuristic aesthetic; an insane, hilarious, but heartfelt story; extremely charismatic characters (from a sensual space sheriff to a certain pop icon); a really manageable but still demanding difficulty; and of course, an extraordinarily groovy soundtrack!”
    • “It has the short playtime, beauty, emotional rollercoaster, and flow state of a journey or Abzu. The visuals are all cued to the music like an Amiga demo, and it's bonkers in a way that only Japanese developers seem to know how.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is not directly addressed in the provided texts, as they focus more on nostalgic memories of advertisements rather than current pricing models or in-game purchases. However, the mention of ads suggests that marketing played a significant role in generating interest among potential players.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its seamless integration of gameplay, story, and music, creating an engaging and immersive experience for players.

    • “The gameplay, story, and music are so cool and perfectly complement the game's atmosphere!”
    • “The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
    • “The haunting soundtrack and stunning visuals create an unforgettable atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Space Channel 5: Part 2

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games