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By Andy Matheson on November 13th, 2001
Introduction Probably the most skipped over PS2 launch game out of the bunch, Fantavision was one of Sonys only PS2 launch games. Most gamers passed over the game for various reasons. First off, it is a puzzle game. Secondly, the graphics aren’t really defining of a next gen systems launch game. Did they miss out on much? Not really... Presentation This game offers little to nothing in terms of fresh presentation. The opening cinema looks like a commercial straight from the 80s, and the menus look like menus straight from the NES era of games. Small uninspired layout, boring background. The menus only saving point is quick load times. The game modes are presented even worse. In training modes, the narrarator talks so slow it will put you to sleep. The ability to speed through there wouldve been great, but hit X and you exit and have to start all over... No thanks. Overall, this game starts out very weak. The presentation actually bored me, made me less pumped to play the game. Better menus and more ironed out training modes wouldve helped this game out immensely. Graphics & Sound Puzzle games generally aren’t remembered for deep graphics or sound and this game won’t change that. I honestly think this game couldve been pulled off on the PSX or N64. The backgrounds are basically decently detailed 3-D cities viewed from high above. Nothing real special. The only real graphics in this game are fireworks going off. While they sure look purty, you’ll grow tired of viewing them again and again. In the sound department, it’s basically the same story as graphics. Little to no variety, and whats thrown at you isnt spectacular. You’ll hear fireworks going off around you, but after a few games you won’t notice them anymore. Background sounds are basically non existant. The music is cheesy j-pop that sounds like it belongs in a 7-11 rather than a video game. Theres also an announcer who blasts out what type of combo youve pulled off. It works but like the rest of the sound, you won’t notice. Gameplay The game plays out like this. You have a cursor to move across the screen. You gotta connect fireworks shooting up the screen and detonate a string of them before they get to the top and fizzle out. The game gets a bit interesting however, in types of chains and fireworks. There are 6 types of fireworks to detonate, and each fills the screen with bright effects and affects the gameplay in different ways. Some fireworks detonate then fall down and can be detonated again which might trigger off others for huge chain combos and points. Then there are multiflares, which enables you to chain together fireworks of different colors, for even bigger combo possibilities. Lasting Appeal Despite the bad graphics, presentation and sound, the gameplay in Fantavision is pretty original. Does that make it good? No. But it’s fresh enough to keep you interested for just a bit. There is a two player mode, so if you have a bud that will play a puzzle game with you, you’ll get much replay from this game. However, dont plan on playing the single player mode for long. It gets tedious and boring after a few tries. Conclusion Like most puzzlers, you’ll either dig this game or not quite get it. With better sound, graphics and decent presentation, gamers might be enticed to play more than this game merits. As it stands, however, the gameplay isnt that fun no matter how original, and the games other flaws just bring it down more. I recommend a rental at best. | 
