FANTAVISION (PS2)
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Fireworks are working for us...

By WILLIAM BARKER

So, we finally get our PS2 - sorry about wait folks, it was all Sony's fault - and wouldn't you know it? Someone threw a puzzle game in there. That's right - no action, no fatalities - just gameplay. You'd think this a rather strange move considering the new PS2 is out to prove its worth via stunning visuals and eye-popping special effects.

Well, foolish is he who mocks the puzzler. Believe it or not, Fantavision is good puzzle game. It's not quite up there with Bust-a-Move or Puzzle Bobble or even Columns, but its close.

The game is all about fireworks. The idea is to detonate as many moving explosives as possible. The fireworks are shot into the air and from here you must target at least three of the same colour using a combination of the analogue stick and the square button. Once you have a trio targeted, simply press the circle button and "Ka-Boom"! The fireworks then explode in a lovely display of semi-random particles. It is devilishly simple on the outset, but dig a little deeper and things heat up very quickly…

The game is reminiscent of the ever infuriating, yet annoyingly addictive, Missile Command. Rather than sitting in a static position, shooting at tiny moving objects, the game follows a set path (viewable on a small mini-map) through various locales at night.

This is rather trippy at first and sometimes a little disconcerting. But for the most part, it won't even register. You may be alerted to "… a big-ass aeroplane!" by annoying co-workers, but that's about it.

As for the title, forget Fanta. There is no Fanta, there will be no Fanta - this sweet orange nectar has nil to do with such a game - it's more likely a misspelling during the Japanese/English translation. To get more points you simply target more fireworks and try for multiple colours too (using stars) and voila! You'll get massive daisy chain combos that will fill the screen with an amazing display of pyrotechnics. There are even bonus multipliers and special icons that add more colour/points/fire to your detonations.

It sounds easy, and to begin with it is. But after the first few levels it becomes a nightmare. Even on the easy levels it gets infuriatingly taxing very quickly. There are five or six different types of fireworks, with the key to success revolving around recognising the different explosives and reacting accordingly.

For instance, the multi-flares split up into half-a-dozen new fireworks once detonated, allowing you to score another six-pop-combo. But if there are already another three or four fireworks reaching the top of their parabolas, you'll get a few misses. This results in a loss of energy. No energy means game over dude!

The single player game will hold your interest for a couple of weeks (tops) though those who crave fireworks will probably get extra kicks from the massive retina-scalding combos that light up the screen. The game is saved from being a rental-only game by its fantastic two-player mode. Here you can battle a friend and must simply out-detonate him/her. Start winning and a vertical line splitting the screen will close in your opponent - giving you more room and more fireworks to explode. It's great fun to come back from an almost one cm thick chunk of screen to win the round - take that Mister Anthony you evil swine!

Fantavision is a very original title and for this Sony deserves a pat on the pat on the back. The graphics are pretty lame and the fun isn't as perennial as Bust-a-Move, but it is still largely enjoyable. The best way to describe it would be to take one of the many interesting blurbs from the box: "Find great crazy-mad out-of-head experience from Japan". Yes indeed.

ORIGINALITY 95%
SOUND/GRAPHICS 65%
PLAYABILITY 75%
ADDICTION 70%
ENJOYMENT 65%