If I am noticing things correctly — a colossal challenge for me — there seems to be a recent trend toward the hardcore, such as Dark Spire, Etrian Odyssey and Castlevania and, a few years ago, Ultimate Ghost and Ghouls. The latter seems to be influencing games the most. The Ghost and Ghouls series is some of the toughest games ever made — regardless of the game's system. It is something that needs to be experienced; there is this overwhelming sense of pandemonium as monsters suddenly appear and consistently hunt Author down. I strongly believe that Ghost and Ghouls is the strongest source of inspiration for Prinny: Can I Really be the Hero? Plus, Prinny is a wonderful game in its own right.
Prinny: Can I Really be the Hero? is about a prinny, a demonic penguin-like creature that houses the souls of murderers, madmen and people who have led meaningless lives and are now looking for redemption in the afterlife (Netherworld). This time, the Prinny Squad is forced one by one to re-create the Ultimate Dessert. Why is he doing this? Well, Etna, a demon overlord, will cause him (and all of his friends) to explode and cease to exist if he can‘t do it. (Personally, I think exploded prinnies become mindless monsters elsewhere in the world, but what do I know? I have not played a Disgea game as of this writing.) So, she ties this magic scarf around him so he won't explode in one hit. Thus begins a hilarious misadventure to re-create a supposedly awesome dish. The best part of it all? No knowledge of the series is required to enjoy it.
The controls will concern many of the people who might and will play this game. Controls are exceedingly tight and rather responsive. Butt stomps are easy and effective methods for disabling opponents. And are even required to properly defeat the various bosses. Moving the d-pad around moves our prinny hero from one side of the screen to the other. Running is not performed by double tapping the d-pad. Instead, you'll hold the circle button for awhile and start moving him around (or else he'll just get dizzy). Jumping, on the other hand, requires precision. Each and every jump is at the same height. Plus, if you're not moving and jump, our hero doesn't move — unless he makes a second jump. It doesn't matter how hard you push on the d-pad, he will not move. This means you need to be certain about each and every action you make. There is very little room for doubt. As such, enemy movements and locations of platforms need to be memorized. However, it lacks the overall pandemonium (or in this case, '"penguimonium'") of older hardcore games. Monsters do not randomly appear, and they follow the same-old movements each and every time. If you are good at recognizing patterns, you will have a fighting chance with this game.
The major plus about all of this is that you have 999 lives to accomplish this overwhelming task. The running joke throughout the game (and other sources) is that those 999 lives represent the Prinny Squad. As each prinny dies, the next in line steps up to the plate to accomplish the task. In reality, the hero's voice never changes. So I feel that it's the same prinny getting back up to fight again. Or in traditional platforming perspective, another chance for us to get it all right. Plus, checkpoints are rather frequent, so it's really rare to be sent too far back. And it takes four hits before a prinny explodes.
Graphically, the game is cute, cuddly, whimsical and dark .Characters and enemies are detailed and animated well. Even though the prinny all look alike, every other character is unique, plus they all have unique movements. Levels feel different as each area has its own theme: Grasslands and windmills are bright and cheerful, a haunted forest that feels unwelcoming, a crazed fortified castle built upon a lava field, an ice fortress and a tropically inspired demon paradise. The playing field tilts whenever a jump attack is initiated, and it is rather cool. However, if it is done on a large boss (and trust me, you will need to use this move during boss fights), it doesn't look just right. To me, it looks like the boss sprites did not move with the camera. Also, loading times are about on par with the PlayStation 2. So the action is never put on hold for very long.
The sound design also is done well. Most of the time, each area has its own unique theme. The castle areas have a haunted, spooky feel, as well does the haunted forest. But by far the most common theme you will hear is the grassland theme. It has these wonderful string instruments that emphasize adventure. However, the colossal pull of this game is the voice acting. It is a riot! Each voice perfectly fits the character and emphasizes the hilarity of the dialogue. Working through each level to hear the characters and watch the cutscenes is truly worth the effort.
Overall, Prinny: Can I Really be the Hero? is a throwback to hardcore gaming. It is an excellent platformer in its own right and would feel at home on any gaming system. However, the old control scheme will probably scare away many players.
So, if you are one of those people who have a PSP, go check out this game. If you are a novice, you're going to run into some problems. But remember, it is all memorization, folks. Enemy and platform placement does not change from play to play. This is hardcore gaming at its finest. It is accessible enough to encourage new gamers to play while being challenging enough for expert gamers. Also, it will take about six hours to finish the first time through, though the first six levels change depending on the time of day (game time). AND I challenge anyone to finish this game using less than 225 lives.
For $40 (which is what I've noticed the game selling for lately), you get the game, the official soundtrack (Prinny: Can this Really be the OST?), plus an exclusive Penny Arcade comic on the back of the soundtrack booklet. Yeah, I really think it is worth the money and time to master. This is one of those games that gamers will come back to year after year, mastering different elements each time. Go rent it and see if it fits your library. You won't be sorry taking the time checking out this title.
