Parappa the Rapper 2 (PS2)
***

As a fan of the original Parappa the Rapper, I jumped into this one with a very positive outlook. The original was known for its strange, charming, and very Japanese story. This one competes in all of those categories except for the charming part.

After Parappa wins a lifetime supply of noodles, it doesn't take him long to grow tired of the food. Make way to the local Beard Burger. As he orders his food, something weird happens. All of the food in the restaurant has turned to noodles, thanks to a mysterious corporation. How can this be taken care of? Why, rapping with the burger joint's dead owner of course. In fact, that's how Parappa solves all of his problems, from unshrinking himself to cutting hair at the local salon.

Parappa's story has gone from a simple coming of age story to a cheesy overblown action movie. Not cool.

The songs are good, but not nearly as catchy as the first games, relying on a 70's smooth groove style, rather than fast paced lyrical insanity. Considering the point of the game is to match your teacher's rhymes by pushing the correct buttons, the slow, smooth flow makes the game a piece of cake. With only 8 stages, and little replay value, Parappa 2 can be conquered in around 30 minutes.

The graphics are exceptional, with a style all their own. Each character is as thin as a sheet of paper, but everything around them is 3D. Priceless.

Parappa 2 is definitely worth a rental, but paying 50 dollars to buy it will leave you with regrets.

-James Napier