Hello Kitty Roller Rescue
Score: 88% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Namco Developer: Namco Media: GCD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Action/ Platformer (3D)
Graphics & Sound: Off the bat, it’s easy to see the audience Namco is targeting with Hello Kitty: Roller Rescue -- the younger, female audience. This isn’t a game for the hardcore gamer, and it doesn’t try to be. Instead, it goes for it’s select audience and, despite a few bumps, does a great job of catering to them. As odd as it is to say, Roller Rescue’s presentation is very relaxing. Both the visual and audio elements are very simple and oddly soothing. Everything sticks with the familiar Sanrio style, complete with bright colors and smooth shapes with few hard edges. Music is just as relaxing, even during some of the game’s numerous boss fights (or fighting segments).
Gameplay: In Hello Kitty Roller Rescue you step into the role, or should I say roller skates, of Hello Kitty as she thwarts an invasion of Earth by the armies of the alien king, Block-O. Kitty’s adventures take her though 16 levels as she tries to rescue Sanriotown. Along the way, she’ll run into nearly every character in the Sanrio stable, including Badtz-Maru, Keroppi, Pochaco and Pochi. Most characters serve as background characters you can interact with while others, like Monkichi, will join Kitty as a sidekick. The roster of characters should make any Sanrio fan happy and immediately draw them into the game. At its heart, Roller Rescue is your standard action game. Kitty’s main weapon is her magic wand which she uses to bonk aliens on the head. Defeating enemies yields coins which can then be used to purchase new music, videos and profiles of all the characters in the game. The latter turned out to be a big help for someone like me, whose experience with Hello Kitty consists of passing the Sanrio store on the way to Gamestop. Knocking out enemies will also produce stars that fill up a meter. Depending on how many times the power meter has been charged, you can use special magic attacks. Between levels, Kitty can return to her house, which serves as a refuge for all of the Sanrio characters who have been displaced by the invasion. While at home, Kitty can interact with any characters she has unlocked, as well as change outfits. There’s no real reason to change outfits other than the fun that comes with dressing up characters.
Difficulty: Going into Hello Kitty Roller Rescue, you know the game isn’t going to be hard – and it really isn’t, at least for the older gamer. The game’s core audience is clearly younger girls and perhaps the odd Sanrio fan who may not be a hardcore gamer. In the past, I’ve been critical of younger-targeted games simplifying things too much. In some respects Roller Rescue does make things a little too easy, but not to the extent that there’s a complete lack of challenge. The overall learning curve is very steady and works for the audience. One of the few complaints I have is the lack of an autosave feature. With as many games as I play, there are times when even I forget to save my progress. Considering who will most likely play this game, its easy to see young kids getting far in the game, forgetting to save and having to start all over again.
Game Mechanics: Much of Hello Kitty Roller Rescue revolves around combat, which may seem odd for a game targeted at girls. But, having two sisters, I can assure you that even girls need to get out a little aggression. Combat is very simple and boils down to simple button mashing. Alternating between attacks and jumps will also unleash a few simple combos. It’s not the deepest of combat systems, but like most aspects of the game, it works for the target audience. Roller Rescue isn’t completely about combat however, as a number of simple puzzles pop up. This was one area I really wish were a little deeper. Granted I could have found the puzzles too easy because I’m older than what the designers envisioned. On that same token, they could just be a little too easy. Hello Kitty Roller Rescue is a great choice for Sanrio fans or younger, female gamers. A few areas are a little too easy, and the experience is on the short side, but these drawbacks are few and shouldn’t ruin the enjoyment.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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