Space Channel 5 for Dreamcast Review

[AmericanMuffin]

Hi guys! This is my first review for my favorite game on one of my favorite consoles!

Summary

Space Channel 5 was a strange rhythm game that released in 2000 for North America, 1999 in Japan. It's about a news report named Ulala, going around in the year 2499, taking down aliens by.... Dancing better than them? I personally love this story line and think it's very creative. You have to save all the hostages and keep a high "Viewer Rating" to win the game. I'll give the idea of the game an 8/10 for creativity and being a 3d rhythm game that actually requires rhythm.
Gameplay

Like I said before, Space Channel 5 is a rhythm game, and I'll admit, it's INCREDIBLY challenging to beat it. You usually have to replay a level a few times to get it right. So here's the part I was talking about that requires skill. Instead of being like DDR or Guitar Hero, you get a rhythm in the background that you depend on. The aliens will give you directional controls like "Up" "Down" "Right" "Left" and to shoot an alien they'll give commands like "Chu". After they say thes commands you have to completely nail the commands to actually make them count, which is why the game is so challenging. Also they'll mix "Chu" commands with the aliens and the hostages, and you have to use different buttons to rescue them. "A" for aliens "B" for hostages. For the incredible, individual gameplay, I'll have to give it a 7/10 for being WAY harder than it needs to be, so don't expect to beat the first level in one try. Even though it's challenging, the Gameplay is the best out of any rhythm game I've ever played.

Music

In a rhythm game, music means everything. I mean how can you play a music game with bad music? I'm glad to say, the music goes VERY well with the environments, it's upbeat, and very... 90's. The dancing goes well with the music, and usually it makes you wanna dance, but 90% of the game I was tapping my foot, so I'll give the music a 10/10.

Graphics

Even though I'm not a huge fan of 3D graphics. I'll have to say, they're very good considering you don't even need to pay any attention to them whatsoever, the environments are peppy and very futuristic, the way the characters are dressed up is also a nice touch. The Morolians aren't your generic alien, either. They're like everything else in this game, very individual. I love all the colors and the way the music goes well with them. They also look amazing for they're era. So I'll give them a 9/10 due to the fact that they're just pictures with models walking through them, but they all look very good.

Overall

Space Channel 5 is a great game that I will give an 8.5 for individuality.

[flojocabron]

I really want to like this game, it looks nice and has a style all its own!

but I'm as rhythmic as a lead block! I cant get thru this game!

you can go the lazy way and put the code in and just watch the game play itself.

[dunpeal2064]

I love rythm games, and this one is excellent.

I personally prefer ep 2, since it has co-op, and awesome villains.

Great review!

[AmericanMuffin]

I really want to like this game, it looks nice and has a style all its own!

but I'm as rhythmic as a lead block! I cant get thru this game!

you can go the lazy way and put the code in and just watch the game play itself.

Do you like my review?

[flojocabron]

yes! its informative. good job!

[AmericanMuffin]

It was a shot in the dark, but I'm glad you reviewed my review!

[boltfanSD]

Decent review, can't say I agree with you on the difficulty (I've been playing drums for a little over 10 years, that might help a bit). This game certainly has tons of style, and I love giving it a playthrough a few times a year. Also, if you haven't played part 2 yet you need to track down a copy of Space Channel 5 Special Edition for ps2.

[Czernobog]

I actually have the PS2 special edition version still sealed that I was going to give a go at one point and completely forgot about. Your review both reminded me about it and peaked my interest.

[AmericanMuffin]

I actually have the PS2 special edition version still sealed that I was going to give a go at one point and completely forgot about. Your review both reminded me about it and peaked my interest.

I wish I had a PS2, I never got to buying one.

[Czernobog]

I actually have the PS2 special edition version still sealed that I was going to give a go at one point and completely forgot about. Your review both reminded me about it and peaked my interest.

I wish I had a PS2, I never got to buying one.

They're fairly cheap nowadays and if you get one of the older models and a hard drive (and I believe a couple other small things) there's member here called CRTgamer has some excellent guides on installing PS2 games directly to the drive. Haven't done so myself but it's been on the to-do list for ages.