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Platform Filters:   All Platforms  Xbox   GameCube   PlayStation 2   PC   Game Boy Advance   Site Sections:   Updates  News   Games   Publishers   Developers   Reviews   Previews   Release Dates   Editorials   Glossary   Contact Us		Review:       12th April 2004: Scooby Doo! Mystery Mayhem  Scooby Dooby-Doo where are you? Right here and he is waiting to begin another round of Mystery Mayhem. Posted by Chris Snook - PlayStation 2,GameCube,Xbox - UK and Europe Scoobert Doo and those pesky kids are at it once more. Solving mysteries and making mayhem along the way. Scooby Doo! Mystery Mayhem follows those helpful people of Mystery Inc. as they are called in by Velma's old librarian, Mister Dinsdale to help solve the mystery as to why there are ghosts haunting his town library. From here the gang are propelled into a series of investigations that somehow involves the powerful Tome of Doom and the equally powerful industrialist Travis Sherman of Sherman Tech. Mystery Mayhem is split into five distinct episodic levels, each with its own reason behind why the Scooby Gang are there whilst still holding a link to the others. Indeed even from the very outset of the title sequence it looks as if the intent is to make the levels as much like actual, linked, episodes as possible. The opening titles themselves mirror those of the original Scooby Doo Where are you? series closely, including the original theme, with scenes from the game inserted at certain points, a very nicely done affair that gives sneak peeks to the following. There is also a laughter track that whilst annoying, makes it feel more like the cartoon. As mentioned there are five 'episodes', the first being the library, the second based around a 1950's style movie lot, complete with in gags and classic movie type sets, keep an eye out for the rocket impacting into the moon ala Jules Verne. The third episode is set in a Wild West theme park and the fourth in a bayou nearby. The last episode is in Sherman Tech itself where the frightening and sinister plot is fully revealed! Gameplay follows Scooby and Shaggy as they navigate the puzzles to find clues, avoid ghosts - by use of the costume trunks or the wonderfully accurate 'sneak' mode, where the pair tip toe about as in the series - and avoid loosing their cool. Cool measures how scared the duo are and whether they will next time go into a blind run, where Scooby hops into Shaggy's arms and they dash madly about in a panic. Locate the Scooby snacks to replenish the bar. Also involved is the discovery of sandwich ingredients which open up mini-games to play. Once the Tome of Doom is discovered then you can actually get some ghost-busting done by trapping the nasties in said book. There are some deviations from this, a mine cart ride in the third episode and a getaway chase on a dirt bike in the fourth, each try to break up the pattern a bit, presumably to add variety to the gameplay. Whilst in spirit with the series I found these to be more annoying than different, turning into a series of checkpoint divided scenes that require a very good memory to complete a lot of patience and ultimately seem a bit pointless, certainly in the case of the mine ride. One of the few down sides. Graphically things are spot on, Scooby looks like Scooby, ghosts are eerily done and the poltergeists are just visible enough to be menacing without being frightening. Shadows work as they should and there is a nice, busyness at times with things in movement. There are a few instances of slowdown however , most noticeably at the beginning of the third boss fight. Musically, Mystery Mayhem does the job, it is recognisably similar to the series and is unobtrusive. Spot effects add to the cartoon feel, as Shaggy stops running rapidly, there is the familiar skidding stop sound and the ghosts sound perfect too. It is the voice area that things excel. The cast is drawn from those who have recently done the voices in the cartoon series and this does again add to things, it is when you listen to the 'supporting' cast that you can tell they are having fun, I laughed when I heard the line "And I would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for those meddling kids" in a voice that was distinctly like Droopy's. Others included Phil Silvers, Elvis and Orson Welles. A welcome surprise. Control wise they do the job. There are times when it seems either too sensitive or not sensitive enough, the former when you are generally running around and are trying to do precise parts of puzzles and the latter is most evident in the mine cart segment, the jump response at times was seriously lacking. Also the way to capture the ghosts and whatnots is also a little taked on, being ultimately a button bash with the occasional change of button to confuse you. Camera control is also counter-intuitive and at times a little clunky both as it tries to follow the action and when you directly control the camera view, thankfully there is an option to reverse the way the camera behaves when used manually. The range of monsters is also a sticking point, whilst I can see why the selection is limited some are not used to their best effect, two are in fact only seen in one episode each and whilst in the case of the Dust Devils there is a good reason for this. They are very specific to one setting. The Shadows from episode one could have been used more, as could have the poltergeists, a missed opportunity to break up the gameplay a bit as each required a slightly different approach to capture. Bonus material includes unlockables such as mini-games, art and in games movies, each requiring the finding of all the clues or the gathering of sandwich ingredients. Also on my copy was a trailer for the film Scooby Doo 2. A surprisingly good game that at times does sparkle and makes you often think about what is going on. There are points which will frustrate all but the most determined gamer but there is a decent amount of life in game. A fine effort. Chris Snook             Latest Images:		Review Scores:    Graphics:   Sound:   Gameplay:   Length:   Overall: Click here for our Review Score Guidelines.  Review Summary:  A fine game that captures the spirit of the cartoons without being too upfront about it. Nice graphics, sound and gameplay let down by a variable control system and a lack of use of all the monsters. Well worth looking at for the younger gamers whilst having enough touches to keep those who grew up with the Doo amused.  Related Games:  Scooby Doo! Mystery Mayhem for PlayStation 2  10  Screenshots  1  Review Click here for All Game Information.
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