WWW.SILICON-FUSION.COM

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:       18th March 2001: Fantavision - Retro Review  Can virtual fireworks be more fun that real ones? Posted by Marc Hull - PlayStation 2 - UK and Europe Back when the Playstation 2 was first announced, the majority of the games shown were sequels of popular Playstation titles - Ridge Racer, Tekken, Gran Turismo - however, one game was doing something a bit different, and this was Fantavision. The thing is, no-one knew just quite how different it would end up being. The moment you start the game, you are hit by the rather unusual intro sequence, depicting a 70's style family gathered round a TV set, with the sickeningly cheerful kids playing Fantavision. From then onwards, the wierdness continues into the gameplay, where you fly around a city, detonating coloured fireworks. It all looks a bit hectic, if very pretty, but there is a method to the game's madness. Skipping to the tutorial mode shows you what you're meant to be doing. Basically, as fireworks ascend the screen, you simply have to highlight them using your cursor, and detonate them with a single keypress. However, in order to detonate them, you must have three of the same colour selected. Easy! Oh, but it isn't. You see, there aren't just fireworks, but many different types of fireworks, each of which have to be handled differently. Some explode into many smaller ones, others explode in certain directions. The key to success is detonating each type of firework so that it hits as many other fireworks as possible, and explodes them as well. Games of Fantavision usually end up being full of action and colour, as fireworks explode and fill the screen, illuminating the surrounding cityscape. It all looks absolutely beautiful, making use of the PS2's special effects as well as it's poly-pushing power used to render the nicely detailed city. Fortunately, replays of your games can be saved to a memory card allowing you to take in the graphics while not frantically trying to keep up with the action. However, the main problem with the game is that there isn't any kind of save or level select feature. Once you have completed a level, you can't simply save your progress and resume later on - you have to continue your game, or lose your position and have to play through the level again later on. Also, sometimes the levels seem to get a bit too hectic, and you end up simply selecting as many fireworks as possible and hoping that they explode on time. Overall, Fantavision tries something different and does it very well, but there are some flaws that prevent it from being a must-have. The great graphics and action should secure it enough success for the problems to be sorted out in a sequel. Marc Hull             Latest Images:		Review Scores:    Graphics:   Sound:   Gameplay:   Length:   Overall: Click here for our Review Score Guidelines.  Review Summary:  There's no denying that Fantavision is wierd, but it's fun as well. The graphics are some of the best out of the first wave of PS2 titles, and the action is non-stop. However, the lack of a save feature means that you can't just pick the game up and play any level you please.  Related Games:  Fantavision - Retro Review for PlayStation 2  5  Screenshots  1  Review Click here for All Game Information.
		Go Back To Main Page        Go To Top Of Page