Cheshire Cat Studios - Video Game and Movie Reviews

Castle Crashers
(Playstation 3, Xbox 360)

An overgrown bear that shits itself and riding a deer with explosive diarrhea?

By Zimes

Alright its time to go new school that looks like old school? Here we are in the 2000's were games can look almost realistic and then a game comes along that catches our attention and it looks like it was made for the Super Nintendo. Well, not that bad of graphics but you could easily play it on there if it came out in that time frame.

There is no doubt of castle crashers cartoony look. Designed by Dan Paladin and Tom Fulp and published by "The Behemoth" (the same guys that brought you Alien Hominid, just don't hold it against them.) these guys made money hand over fist! This simple action adventure game made the gamer realize that you don’t need the best graphics or the latest and greatest graphic engine. As long as the story is good, the gameplay fun, and the action fast people can enjoy the game.

This is what the true gamer is about: the game. Is it fun? Does it keep my attention? Can I play this with my friends? For those that have not played the game. Come find out.

Castle Crashers fan art

Story

If you have played games for any length of time this story line is not new. the princesses have been captured and the crystal has been taken. it is your job as a knight to go get it back. You fight barbarians, archers, Eskimo’s, dark knights, and daemons to rescue the princesses and finally the dark wizard to get the crystal back. So if the story line is not new why do I want to play this game? Because it is fun. there are times in the story that give you a chuckle like when you come across an owl that shits himself into a coma or go into an alien ship. the action can be comical at times along with the story. there is no part of the story where you wish there was someone to speak for you. An evil dude tried to kill you and failed. instead of letting him live you toss him off the edge of a tower.

Castle Crashers Screen shot

Graphics

I think someone could draw monkey balls and have better graphics than Castle Crashers. It’s not terrible but it’s not totally kick you in the eyes awesome. Because of the cartoony look you could easily back date this to ancient f**k for some of us and it still play good. But, the look and feel of the castle crasher due to the graphics keep the game alive and fit very well.

Gameplay

Again, nothing new. It is a button masher and that’s all the skill it will take to play the game. Focus in one section weather it be stamina for health, strength for attack power, agility for speed, or intelligence for magic power and you will own face with your toon. as you beat the game with different toons, you unlock other toons that you can take through the game and level them up and use their different talents to beat the game. Also, after you beat the game the first time through, you can then turn the game on hard and beat it again.

Castle Crashers Screen shot

Sound

For a game that looks like it was made for the Sega Genesis the sound on this game is OUTSTANDING! The music is alive; the sound fits, and if you could find a soundtrack for it you would probably want to get it. At first you think nothing of it when you are playing but, if you just sit there and listen to the music on the different levels you find out how much they put into the music of the game. Complex beats and sounds that are fast pace and actually help you play the game. The music fits perfectly with the game and you feel cheated that other games don’t care about you enough to actually give a flying crap about its music.

Castle Crashes Screenshot

Replay

Because it is so fun to play, although sometimes repetitive; you want to keep playing. You can play this with your mom, kids, or friends online. You can do free for all killing in arena's or beat the shit out of the newcomer when it comes time to get a kiss from the princess. There are secrets to find, pets to capture, weapons to collect, and toons to gather. Beating the game with a different toon gives you a different toon to play your next time around.

Castle Crashers survey

OVERALL

I know it’s a short review but, it’s a short game. Castle Crashers is fun to play although the game is nothing new as far as game play or story goes. You enjoy playing this game and realize that you don’t have to have the best of everything to make a game fun.

Graphics
4.0	Lets be real, they could have done better but I am sure it would have cut into the bottom line of the profit.
Sound
9.5	Not perfect but, damned good. if this is new to you and you have the game go play the frost levels and listen to the music.
Gameplay
8.0	Yeah, nothing new but still fun to play. Buttons are not out of place and it’s very easy to control.
Story
7.0	Again, nothing new but, it still keeps your peak and even has some childish although funny humor in it.
Replay Value
9.5	Really there is not a time that my kids or friends get online and say lets play some castle crashers and I say no. It just does not happen and it’s a great game to play although it can get repetitive.
OVERALL
7.5	Castle Crashers takes a huge hit from graphics but it should be in anyone’s top 20 games to play anytime.