Space Channel 5 part 2 review

Ulala is back ! The pink-haired reporter is still the host of Space Channel 5's flagship show : "Ulala Swinging Report Show". Since she saved the universe Ulala has become famous throughout the galaxy, yet her boss forces her to work hard, as Space Channel 5 has been in financial trouble lately.

The aim of the game

This is the background of Space Channel 5 part 2, the sequel to the grooviest on the planet. The gameplay is simple, yet addictive : playing as Ulala, your role is to mimic your opponents moves to "outdance" them !

The controls are very simple... Hear "Up" ? Press Up ! Hear "Chu" ? Press fire (X on the PS2, A on the Dreamcast). Basically, what happens is someone (or something, as aliens are present in SC5p2) says "Up right left down chu ! chu ! chu !" and then it's your turn. Of course, you have to keep up with the beat ;-)

Music in all flavors

Talking about the beat, Space Channel 5 part 2 explores more genres than the first game. The original game's theme, called "Mexican Flyer", is still here, but there are new catchy tunes as well, ranging from techno to jazz, and even a waltz ! According to everybody who's played it, the game's music is excellent, and I have to agree with them ;-) The soundtrack features a song that sounds like classic Tom Jones, a bit cheesy but that will stick in your head for quite a while !

Looks are essential, too...

SC5p2's graphics match pretty well the soundtrack of the game. Everything looks like a Star Trek episode mixed with some flower power and 70's look. However, the graphics might look a bit weak in comparison to many PS2 games, but they're good enough, and you can't really focus on them anyway during game sequences. The motion capture work is excellent, with smoother moves than the first instalment of the series, and more complex, better looking choreographies.

In a few words : SC5p2 not only lives up to the hype, it surpasses it. You have to play it to understand what many players mean.