Hands-On: Viewtiful Joe
2D action-platformers live with Viewtiful Joe.
Despite the awkward title, Viewtiful Joe could be a giant sleeper hit for the GameCube. Joe?s a traditional old-school side-scroller, but the game?s unique aspects make it more than a run-of-the-mill genre offering. You play as Joe, an ordinary guy out to rescue his girlfriend who has been sucked into a sort of motion picture netherworld. Shortly after Joe begins his pursuit, he?s imbued with super-hero powers that allow him to slow down and speed up time, as well as zoom in on small objects. Not all of Joe?s play mechanics involve punches and kicks; there are several perplexing puzzles to solve that should give the game some welcome variety.
Based on an early preview build, Joe?s straightforward and simple controls will keep the gameplay fresh and exciting every step of the way. Joe?s unique look is also worth mentioning as the graphics resemble a comic book that suddenly sprang to life. Mixing 3D graphics with a pastel cel-shaded color scheme, Joe has an undeniable surrealistic feel, and the humorous special effects add to the overall impact. If Joe stays on track, he should have a, um, ?Viewtiful? debut this September.
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