The first thing that entered my mind when this game floated across my desk was, “what the hell is this?” I remember seeing a few write ups on it but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that it would ever conceive itself into a real game. From a distance it seems like another attempt to cash in on the popular Lord of the Rings era with trolls and the like but after careful analysis this game could pass as a toilet seat cover in Frodo’s outhouse. Enough with the witty metaphors on with the nasty business.
Graphically this game is not going to win any awards unless there is one for poor textures and bad polygon counts. The main characters Pryzm, a loveable unicorn and her rider Karrock, a troll with an attitude are given the task of destroying the plague that has threatened the land. The world of Pryzm is an ugly one, not just on a visual scale but a technical one as well. The environments are downright disgusting to look at and the colors don’t mesh well either. Watching this game is like being forced to watch a John Tesh concert…it isn’t suitable for any human being.
The one good point, as if it needed one, is that the music is very fitting. The dark drums and enchanted sound effects add to the atmosphere of the game. The voice acting reminds me of a cheesy Saturday morning cartoon, the characters talk to each other in very loud and clear voices as if they are speaking to children. This may please the younger players with it’s lighthearted tone, but to me it made me feel as if the developers are trying too hard to make the game seem simple.
From the intro and initial training session everything seems quite simple and easy. A good game for the kiddies, but as soon as the training is over and you are presented with the first level the trouble begins. The poor combat system begins to take it’s toll, you are faced with enemies that attack you and you have no clue where the attack is coming from due to the poor camera angles. Then you try and attack them with one of your attacks and you miss because you have no clue what attack does what. Karrock can attack in eight different directions, too bad you never have any clue what he is hitting. The projectile attacks are pointless as they seem to do no damage. Younger players may have been intrigued but after a few minutes of the first level most of them will have given up on this sorry excuse for an adventure game.
My only question is why did the developers feel the need to release this game? Is it because any Joe Schmoe programmer can make a PS2 game for no cost and hope to make money? Or is it the simple fact that they just like to feed the masses crap for breakfast? I am going with a little of both. My advice to you, stay as far away from this game as possible, you will benefit by doing this. Do not rent, certainly do not buy, and if you get a chance, burn any copy of it you see.
