Editing Pandemonium! (video game)

{{Short description|1996 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Pandemonium!
| image = Pandemonium box.jpg
| caption = European PS1 box art
| developer = [[Toys for Bob]]{{efn|Ported to Saturn by Jumpin Jack Software;<br />Ported to N-Gage and Mobile by Ideaworks3D;<br />Ported to iOS by [[Eidos Interactive]].}}
| publisher = [[Crystal Dynamics]]{{vgrelease|EU|[[BMG Interactive]] (PS/PC) (PS/SS)}}[[Eidos Interactive]] (NGE)<br/>[[Electronic Arts]] (iOS)<ref name="Mobile release"/> {{vgrelease|JP|[[Bandai]] (PS/SS)}}
| director = 
| producer = Mark Lawrence
| designer = [[Paul Reiche III]]
| programmer = Ken Ford<br>[[Fred Ford (programmer)|Fred Ford]]
| artist = Steve Kongsle
| writer = Paul Jenkins<br>Ken Daly<br>Ed Crasnick<br>[[Paul Reiche III]]
| composer = [[Burke Trieschmann]]
| platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]],<ref name="NGS2008EA">{{cite web |url=http://news.ea.com/portal/site/ea/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081029005449&newsLang=en |title=EA Mobile Strengthens Commitment to Nokia N-Gage With New Global Games Line-up |publisher=Electronic Arts Inc. |accessdate=2008-10-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710162057/http://news.ea.com/portal/site/ea/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20081029005449&newsLang=en |archive-date=2011-07-10}}</ref> [[Mobile game|Mobile]], [[iOS]]<ref name="Mobile release">{{cite web |url=http://news.ea.com/portal/site/ea/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090528005180&newsLang=en |title=EA Mobile Unleashes Six New Games on Apple App Store |publisher=Electronic Arts Inc. |accessdate=2009-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710163356/http://news.ea.com/portal/site/ea/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090528005180&newsLang=en |archive-date=2011-07-10}}</ref>
| released = {{Collapsible list|title=November 5, 1996|'''PlayStation'''{{vgrelease|NA|November 5, 1996<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Sony PlayStation Available Software sorted by Release Date @ www.vidgames.com |url=http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980611181118/http://www.vidgames.com/ps/software/release.html#1995 |archive-date=June 11, 1998 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=PlayStation Galleria}}</ref>|EU|December 6, 1996<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 6, 1996 |title=Disks + Discs New In Store |pages=48 |work=Staffordshire Newsletter (Uttoxeter ed.) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/879910700/?terms=%22pandemonium%22%20%22playstation%22&match=6 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |quote=''Red Alert'' (CD ROM)//''War Hammer'' (Play)//''Command/Conquer'' (Play)//''Broken Sword'' (Play)//''Pandemonium'' (Play)//}}</ref>}}'''Sega Saturn'''{{vgrelease|NA|April 24, 1997|EU|June 12, 1997}}'''Microsoft Windows'''{{vgrelease|EU|1997|NA|June 30, 1997}}'''N-Gage'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 6, 2003|EU|October 7, 2003}}'''Mobile'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 12, 2007<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-12 |title=Eidos to unleash Pandemonium |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/eidos-to-unleash-pandemonium |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>}}'''iOS'''{{vgrelease|WW|April 24, 2009}} }}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}'''''Pandemonium!'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Magical Hoppers'''''|マジカルホッパーズ}}}} is a 1996 [[platform game|platform]] [[video game]] developed by [[Toys for Bob]] and published by [[Crystal Dynamics]] for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]],<ref name="NGS2008EA" /> [[Mobile game|mobile]] and [[iOS]].<ref name="Mobile release" /> ''Pandemonium!'' features Fargus, a [[jester|joker]], and Nikki, a sorceress, who unwittingly casts a spell that destroys the town. The goal of the game is to reach the Wishing Engine, where they can wish the town back to normal. For each level, the player can choose which character to be. Each has a special move – Fargus can deliver a special spinning attack, and Nikki can double jump. The game consists of a great variety of unique gameplay objects, such as watermelons, clouds, spider webs and logs. A sequel, ''[[Pandemonium 2]]'' (''Miracle Jumpers'' in Japan), was released in 1997 for PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.

== Gameplay ==
''Pandemonium!'' employs [[2.5D]] gameplay; while the game renders polygons in a typical [[3D computer graphics|3D]] fashion, gameplay is [[2D computer graphics|2D]].<ref name="SSM19"/> The area of gameplay is as a two-dimensional surface twisting and bending in a three-dimensional world. Occasionally, this surface will overlap itself. There are segments where the path branches, allowing the player to choose their course.<ref name="SSM19"/>

Enemies are generally defeated through the usual platform jumping method of bouncing on the enemy's head.<ref name="SSM20">{{cite magazine|last=Nutter|first=Lee|date=June 1997|title=So Fargus, So Good|url=https://archive.org/details/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_020/page/n41/mode/2up|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|issue=20|pages=42–47}}</ref> There are [[power-up]]s located in each level, with varying effects. One is a freeze ray which turns enemies into ice, while another is a shrink ray which reduces the size of enemies to the point where the player character can step on them.<ref name="SSM20"/>

== Plot ==
In the land of Lyr, an unpopular carnival jester called Fargus, and his stick-puppet Sid, are seeking a new career. Meanwhile, a talented acrobat named Nikki, bored of carnival life, runs away to pursue her dream of being a wizard. Fargus, Sid, and Nikki meet at a "Wizards in Training" seminar at Lancelot Castle. The seminar turns out to be rather boring, so during a break Nikki and Fargus steal the speaker's spellbook and take it to the high balcony overlooking the village.<ref>"How it all Began...", Pandemonium! instruction manual. Pages 6-7.</ref>

When Nikki begins practicing with the magical book, Fargus and Sid urge her to perform a 10th level spell. With a few magical words, a green monster called Yungo appears and consumes the entire village. They search the book for how to get rid of the monster. The book reveals that they'll have to obtain a wish from the Wishing Engine. With a map from the book to help them, they set off on their journey.

When they find the Wishing Engine, it tells them to speak three wishes. Fargus wastes the first wish on a chicken (he claims it was just to see if it works) and Nikki then wishes that the village was returned to as it was before the spell was cast. Nikki and Fargus are then teleported back to the top of Lancelot Castle. Yungo spits out the village and is pulled back into his own dimension. Nikki ponders what happened to their third wish, and Fargus guiltily admits that out of desire to share his joy with the world, he wished that everyone back home could be just like him, inadvertently turning everyone in the village into Fargus clones. Nikki and Fargus resign themselves to another trip to the Wishing Engine.

==Development and release==
Work on ''Pandemonium!'' began in December 1994, starting with two months spent on learning the dynamics of 3D games.<ref name="EGM88">{{cite magazine|date=November 1996|title=Pandemonium!|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/8/89/EGM_US_088.pdf|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=88|pages=148–9}}</ref> The team concentrated on building a prototype level to demonstrate at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 1995]].<ref name="EGM88"/> Once this was done, set designers and artists were brought on to help create the bulk of the game, bringing the development team up to 30 people.<ref name="EGM88"/> Early in development it was planned to record hundreds of [[One-line joke|one-liners]] for the player characters, similar to the earlier Crystal Dynamics game ''[[Gex (video game)|Gex]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=June 1996|title=Pandemonium|url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_093_Volume_08_Number_06_1996-06_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n33/mode/2up|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|issue=93|page=32}}</ref>

According to lead designer [[Paul Reiche III]], at the beginning of June 1996 the team decided they wanted the game to be released before [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving Day]] of that year and shifted into "high gear mode".<ref name="EGM88"/> The last 2–3 months of development were devoted to fine-tuning, balancing, and bug-fixing, in particular adjusting the level of detail on levels so as to maintain a consistent [[frame rate]] of 30 frames per second.<ref name="EGM88"/>

Having decided to step down as a publisher and focus on development, Crystal Dynamics sold the publication rights for ''Pandemonium!'' to [[Electronic Arts]] once the game was finished.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Svenson|first=Christian|date=December 1996|title=Pandemonium at EA|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_24/page/n29/mode/2up|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|issue=24|page=28}}</ref> As usual for Crystal Dynamics games, the European publishing rights were given to [[BMG Interactive]]. However, BMG decided against publishing the Saturn version, so Sega of Europe purchased the rights from BMG and published that version.<ref name="SSM19">{{cite magazine|last=Leadbetter|first=Rich|date=May 1997|title=Pandemonium!|url=https://archive.org/details/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_019/page/n21/mode/2up|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|issue=19|pages=22–25}}</ref> The Saturn EU release date was originally slated for May 1997, but was pushed back to June so that a bug could be fixed.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=July 1997|title=Pandemonium Apologies|url=https://archive.org/details/Official_Sega_Saturn_Magazine_021/page/n7/mode/2up|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|issue=21|page=8}}</ref>

The Saturn, PlayStation and PC versions have 18 levels, while the N-Gage version has 11. In the PlayStation and Saturn versions, progress is saved using a [[password (video games)|password system]]. The Japanese version of the game, called ''Magical Hoppers'', has considerable changes to the story, characters and cutscenes and is distributed by [[Bandai]].

The PlayStation version was released to the [[PlayStation Store]] on October 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|first=Grace|last=Chen| url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/08/playstation-store-update-106/ |title=PlayStation Store Update|work=PlayStation.Blog |date=October 8, 2009|accessdate=21 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907193017/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/10/08/playstation-store-update-106/|archive-date=7 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Spender| url=http://www.siliconera.com/2011/11/30/pandemonium-and-its-sequel-hopping-onto-psone-classics/?amp;utm_medium=feed&amp; |title=Pandemonium And Its Sequel Hopping Onto PsOne Classics|date=November 30, 2011|work=Siliconera}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 71% (PS)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198253-pandemonium/index.html |title=Pandemonium! for PlayStation |website=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=September 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012835/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/198253-pandemonium/index.html |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><br />59% (N-G)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ngage/918283-pandemonium/index.html |title=Pandemonium! for N-Gage |website=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=September 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209011309/https://www.gamerankings.com/ngage/918283-pandemonium/index.html |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| CVG = {{rating|3|5}} (PS)<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hutala|first=Alex |date=January 1997 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_182_1997-01_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n69/mode/1up|title=Pandemonium!|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=182|pages=70–71 |accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref><br>{{rating|3|5}} (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hey|first=Steve |date=July 1997|url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:CVG_UK_188.pdf&page=66 |title=Pandemonium! |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=188|pages=66–67|accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref>
| Edge = 7/10 (PS)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Pandemonium|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |issue=40|page=84|date=Christmas 1996}}</ref>
| EGM = 8.375/10 (PS)<ref name="EGM89"/><br>8.25/10 (SAT)<ref name="EGM96">{{cite magazine |title=Review Crew: Pandemonium!|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=96 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=July 1997|page=51}}</ref>
| GSpot = 4.4/10 (N-G)<ref>{{cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|date=October 9, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040326111401/https://www.gamespot.com/ngage/action/pandemonium/review.html|archivedate=March 26, 2004|url=https://www.gamespot.com/ngage/action/pandemonium/review.html|title=Pandemonium Review for N-Gage|work=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref><br>7.6/10 (PC)<ref>{{cite web|last=Schwarzenbach|first=Blake|date=August 8, 1997|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030626034810/https://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/pandemonium/review.html/|archivedate=June 26, 2003|url=https://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/pandemonium/review.html/|title=Pandemonium Review for PC|website=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref><br>5.4/10 (PS)<ref name="GSPS"/>
| IGN = 6.6/10 (N-G)<ref>{{cite web|last=Chambers|first=Chadd|date=October 7, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031020181951/http://ngage.ign.com/articles/453/453575p1.html|archivedate=October 20, 2003|url=http://ngage.ign.com/articles/453/453575p1.html|title=Pandemonium Review|work=[[IGN]]|accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref><br>6/10 (PS)<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021018111009/http://psx.ign.com/articles/150/150611p1.html|archivedate=October 18, 2002|url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/150/150611p1.html|title=Pandemonium|date=December 13, 1996|work=[[IGN]]|accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref>
| NGen = {{rating|3|5}} (PS)<ref name="NGen25"/>
| OPMUK = 9/10 (PS)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/opm014/page/n71/mode/2up|title=Pandemonium|magazine=[[PlayStation Official Magazine – UK|Official Playstation Magazine]]|issue=14|date=January 1997|pages=72–74|accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref>
| PCG = 91% (PC)<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Stangl|first=Florian|date=June 1997|url=https://archive.org/details/pcgamesmagazine-1997-06/page/n151/mode/2up|title=Sprung in der Schüssel|language=de |magazine=[[PC Games]]|pages=152–153|accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref>
| PCZone = 80/100 (PC)<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Presley|first=Paul|date=August 1997 |url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_53_August_1997/page/n85/mode/2up|title=Pandemonium |magazine=[[PC Zone]]|issue=53|page=90|accessdate=June 1, 2021}}</ref>
| rev1 =''[[Saturn Power]]''
| rev1Score = 88/100 (SAT)<ref name="SatP1">{{cite magazine|last=Mortlock|first=Dean |title=Review: Pandemonium|magazine=[[Saturn Power]]|issue=1|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=June 1997|pages=60–63}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev2Score = 90% (SAT)<ref name="SSMrev">{{cite magazine|last=Nutter|first=Lee |title=Review: Pandemonium|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=20 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=June 1997|pages=64–65}}</ref>
}}

The PlayStation version of ''Pandemonium'' received mixed to positive reviews. Critics generally said that while the gameplay is essentially 2D, the open, airy graphic designs and the exceptional camerawork make it easy for players to be caught in an illusion of 3D.<ref name="EGM89"/><ref name="GSPS"/><ref name="NGen25"/><ref name="GPro100"/> Most found that the gameplay was lacking in innovation, though the diverse and surprising level designs made it enjoyable and relatively fresh.<ref name="EGM89"/><ref name="NGen25"/><ref name="GPro100"/> Some critics complained that the "boing" sound which accompanies each jump is annoying.<ref name="GSPS"/><ref name="GPro100"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' concluded the game to be a mixed bag, and advised gamers to rent it to determine if it fits their interests.<ref name="GPro100">{{cite magazine|author=Air Hendrix|date=January 1997|title=PlayStation ProReview: Pandemonium! |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_100_Volume_09_Number_01_1997-01_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n91/mode/2up|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|issue=100|page=90}}</ref> Dan Hsu of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' felt it had little to offer besides the graphics, but the other three members of the review team were much more enthusiastic, saying they particularly enjoyed searching out the levels' secrets.<ref name="EGM89">{{cite magazine|date=December 1996|title=Review Crew: Pandemonium|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/9e/EGM_US_089.pdf|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|issue=89 |page=96}}</ref> ''[[GameSpot]]'' gave it a largely negative review, arguing that the level design is flawed and the two playable characters are not differentiated enough. They criticized Burke Tresichmann's music for having tracks which are too juvenile and/or similar to his scores for ''[[The Horde (video game)|The Horde]]'' and ''[[Captain Quazar]]''.<ref name="GSPS">{{cite web|title=Pandemonium! Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pandemonium-review/1900-2548854/ |website=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=5 January 2018|date=December 1, 1996}}</ref> However, ''GamePro'' and Sushi-X of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' opined that the music was both well-done and consistently suited the tone.<ref name="EGM89"/><ref name="GPro100"/> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' summarized that "while ''Pandemonium'' keeps the player on rails, it's still an enjoyable and extremely colorful ride."<ref name="NGen25">{{cite magazine|date=January 1997|title=Pandemonium |url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_25/page/n175/mode/2up|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|issue=25|page=174}}</ref>

The Saturn version was also well-received, as critics agreed that despite the half a year that had passed since the game's release on PlayStation, it still held up well.<ref name="EGM96"/><ref name="SatP1"/><ref name="SSMrev"/><ref name="GPro107"/> ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'' and ''[[Saturn Power]]'' both deemed it the first truly outstanding platform game for the Saturn.<ref name="SatP1"/><ref name="SSMrev"/> ''GamePro'' said that "It breaks little new ground beyond the cool perspectives, but the gameplay's meaty enough to hold your interest."<ref name="GPro107">{{cite magazine|author=Art Angel|date=August 1997|title=Saturn ProReview: Pandemonium |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_107_Volume_09_Number_08_1997-08_IDG_Publishing_US/page/n75/mode/2up|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|issue=107 |page=74}}</ref> Sushi-X of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' said it "is a step above its PlayStation sibling", citing tighter controls.<ref name="EGM96"/> However, his co-reviewer Shawn Smith and ''GamePro'' both felt the PlayStation version was better, due to the port's slight decrease in graphical quality,<ref name="EGM96"/><ref name="GPro107"/> though critics unanimously agreed that Crystal Dynamics had done an overall exemplary job of optimizing the game for the Saturn.<ref name="EGM96"/><ref name="SatP1"/><ref name="SSMrev"/><ref name="GPro107"/>

{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title|0457431}}
* {{MobyGames|id=/pandemonium|name=''Pandemonium!''}}
* [http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/pandemonium/index.html?q=Pandemonium ''Pandemonium!''] at [[GameSpot]]

{{Toys for Bob}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|1990s}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pandemonium (Video Game)}}
[[Category:1996 video games]]
[[Category:Crystal Dynamics games]]
[[Category:Fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Ideaworks Game Studio games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Jumpin' Jack Software games]]
[[Category:N-Gage games]]
[[Category:N-Gage service games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Square Enix franchises]]
[[Category:Toys for Bob games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Burke Trieschmann]]
[[Category:Video games set in castles]]
[[Category:Video games with 2.5D graphics]]
[[Category:Windows games]]