Graffiti Kingdom
| Graffiti Kingdom | |
|---|---|
 European cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Taito |
| Publisher(s) |
|
| Director(s) | Osamu Inoue |
| Producer(s) | Takeshi Kamimura |
| Artist(s) | Yoshiharu Sato |
| Composer(s) | Yasunori Mitsuda |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
Graffiti Kingdom[a]is a 2004action role-playing gamedeveloped byTaitofor thePlayStation 2.It is the sequel toMagic Pengel: The Quest for Color(2002) and was released in North America by Hot-B and in PAL regions by505 GameStreet.The game's soundtrack was composed byYasunori Mitsuda.
Gameplay
[edit]As inMagic Pengel: The Quest for Color,the player is able to create characters (known as "Graffiti Creatures" ) by drawing its body parts and assigning a function (such as "leg" or "head" ) to each part; however, unlike the previous game, its attacks and movement can also be customized.[1]Additional tools for monster creating, such as decoration pens, limb functions, and a part cloning function, are added as the player's level increases. New attacks and movement abilities can be obtained by "capturing" other creatures, also allowing transformation into them for a short time. Collecting cards that rarely drop from defeated monsters adds them to the monster collection, allowing at will and unlimited time transformations as well as the ability to customize their appearance and attacks.
The versatility of monster creation has attracted considerable popularity, largely inJapan—a number of players have created detailed characters based both on original designs and those from existing video games,animeand other media. A larger collection can be saved on special save files, organized into card holders in game.
While combat inMagic Pengelused a turn-based battle system similar torock–paper–scissors,Graffiti Kingdomis a more action-orientedplatform game,although it retains someRPG-style elements such as the ability to level up, which increases maximum health and energy. Monster abilities such as higher jumps can be acquired to assist in platforming. These abilities and attacks run on limited energy that regenerates over time.
Plot
[edit]The player takes the role of Prince Pixel of the Canvas Kingdom. Long ago, the kingdom was besieged by an evil Devil. This Devil was sealed away by a few brave knights bestowed with the power of Graffiti (called Graffiticians). Pixel happens upon the Devil's seal whilst avoiding his studies and takes the graffiti wand, breaking the seal. After an attempt by the seal's guardian, Pastel, to teach Pixel to use the wand results in the Devil's release, Pastel has Pixel face the Devil and restore the kingdom. Along the way, he meets Tablet, the Devil's son, who helps Pixel and challenges him throughout his adventures. He makes his way through the first few worlds, beating their bosses and acquiring their keys. En route to Palette, Tablet's sister, Pastel is kidnapped by Palette's agent.
Pixel proceeds to fight his way to Palette's palace, reaffirming the friendship Pixel has with Pastel. Pixel then faces off with Palette, defeating her. However, Tablet is seemingly killed when he takes an attack meant for Pixel. Determined to stop the Devil, Pixel fights through the Devil's palace and beats the Devil, leaving him near defeat. However, Tablet steals Pixel's wand and defeats his father instead before declaring himself the new Devil. Pastel gives Pixel a spare wand (many others of which she keeps inside her). Pixel defeats Tablet and creates a new body for him. Pixel then stops Pastel from re-sealing the Devil, which would also cause Pastel to be sealed in with him. The Devil escapes once more, albeit now severely weakened. Pixel agrees to let the Devil recuperate if he restores the kingdom as best he can. The ending cinematic shows Palette rampaging through the town before being battled offscreen by Pixel and Tablet.
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 71/100[2] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 1Up.com | B+[3] |
| Famitsu | 29/40[4] |
| Game Informer | 6/10[5] |
| GamePro |   [7] |
| GameRevolution | C−[6] |
| GameSpot | 7.2/10[8] |
| GameSpy |  [9] |
| GameZone | 7/10[10] |
| IGN | 6.8/10[11] |
| Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | [12] |
| Detroit Free Press | [13] |
The game received "average" reviews according to thereview aggregationwebsiteMetacritic.[2]In Japan,Famitsugave it a score of one seven, one eight, and two sevens for a total of 29 out of 40.[4]GameProandOfficial U.S. PlayStation Magazinegave it a favorable review about two-and-a-half months before the game's U.S. release.[7][12]
References
[edit]- ^known in Japan asRakugaki Ōkoku 2: Maō-Jō No Tatakai(ラクガキ vương quốc 2 ma vương thành の chiến い)
- ^Kidzworld staff (December 27, 2006)."Graffiti Kingdom:: PS2 Game Review".Kidzworld.RetrievedApril 7,2009.
- ^ab"Graffiti Kingdom for PlayStation 2 Reviews".Metacritic.CBS Interactive.RetrievedJune 24,2019.
- ^Pinckard, Jane (August 12, 2005)."Graffiti Kingdom".1UP.com.Ziff Davis.Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2016.RetrievedJune 25,2019.
- ^ab"Will the Mitsuda curse hit Soma Bringer? Discuss!".NeoGAF.NeoGaf LLC. February 11, 2008.RetrievedJune 24,2019.
- ^Juba, Joe (September 2005)."Graffiti Kingdom".Game Informer.GameStop.p. 102. Archived fromthe originalon January 14, 2006.RetrievedJune 24,2019.
- ^Gee, Brian (August 5, 2005)."Graffiti Kingdom Review".Game Revolution.CraveOnline.Archivedfrom the original on October 9, 2015.RetrievedJune 25,2019.
- ^abGameGirl (June 2005)."Graffiti Kingdom Review for PS2 on GamePro.com".GamePro.IDG Entertainment.p. 90. Archived fromthe originalon May 26, 2005.RetrievedJune 24,2019.
- ^Mueller, Greg (August 5, 2005)."Graffiti Kingdom Review".GameSpot.CBS Interactive.RetrievedJune 24,2019.
- ^McGarvey, Sterling (August 4, 2005)."GameSpy: Graffiti Kingdom [Incomplete]".GameSpy.IGN Entertainment. Archived fromthe originalon November 12, 2005.RetrievedJune 25,2019.
- ^Valentino, Nick (August 2, 2005)."Graffiti Kingdom - PS2 - Review".GameZone.Archivedfrom the original on December 30, 2008.RetrievedJune 25,2019.
- ^Lewis, Ed (July 26, 2005)."Graffiti Kingdom".IGN.Ziff Davis.RetrievedJune 24,2019.
- ^ab"Graffiti Kingdom".Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.Ziff Davis. June 2005. p. 95.
- ^Schaefer, Jim (August 14, 2005)."Do-it-yourself heroes".Detroit Free Press.Gannett Company.Archived fromthe originalon September 17, 2005.RetrievedJune 24,2019.
External links
[edit]- Official websiteArchived2005-09-23 at theWayback Machine(in Japanese)
- Graffiti KingdomatMobyGames