Game Card
Ape Escape 3 (PS2)
- Publisher:
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Developer:
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- US Release:
- 05.04.2006
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Type:
- Action
- Reality Factor:
- Fantasy
- Perspective:
- Third-Person
- Extra:
- Platform
- Blood Level:
- Blood-less
- Age:
- Modern Times
Review
We play Ape Escape 3...
Ape Escape 3 might not redefine its’ over the top series, but it does pack in a lot more gameplay, humor, and replay value than the other two previous monkey mayhem titles. With awesome 3D platform levels, unlockable content, new game modes, dozens of stage and character themes, cool new gadgets and out of the ordinary vehicles, Ape Escape 3 is barrels of fun (400 monkeys to catch included).
The premise is as off the wall as fans of the Ape Escape series would expect: The evil monkey ruler Specter has persuaded the human Dr. Tomoki to help him take over the human world, and they’ve unleashed 400 monkeys onto the human airwaves in order to do so. Everyone knows how entertaining and cute those monkeys can be - and soon, humans will be so consumed with watching them in their wacky new TV shows, everyone’s brain is going to turn into mush!
It might not be a groundbreaking concept, but running through dozens of TV show sets that are all different from one another is a great new way to round up all of those naughty little marsupials! You can begin your adventure as either Kei or Yumi, a brother and sister team who need to go through each and every TV studio and round up all of the monkeys in that sitcom. The sets all have a different theme, from Country Western and Desert to Cemetery motifs, and so do the stars of the show. You’ll encounter everyone from action-adventure hero monkeys to fire-spitting turban-adorned monkeys, and they’ve each got their own unique characteristics. Some monkeys are slow and passive; some are quick and eager to capture you instead!
Once you’ve selected your character, you’ll begin your adventure armed only with a stun-club and a monkey net. You can use your stun-club to tranquilize monkeys as well as to destroy robots and other evildoers as you make your way through the levels. Once you’ve stunned a monkey, use your net to scoop them up and catch them. You can swipe your monkey net in a couple of different ways depending on how you maneuver the analog stick. But be very careful as you do So! Feisty monkeys will fight back, and can grab hold of your net and pull it right out of your grip. If they manage to catch you with your own net, you lose the game.
While your two initial items are essentially basic, there are loads of other gadgets to be picked up along the way. Things like RC cars that can be used to get down narrow passageways, helicopter blades that enable you to fly over areas, and hula hoops that do damage to anything that comes close to you as you swivel them around your hips can all be found throughout the game. Each one uses a unique control pattern to activate, which gives gadgets an individual feel.
You can assign up to four gadgets to the face buttons on the controller for quick use. Unfortunately, this means that you can only have up to four gadgets at a time, but you can reassign them as often as you like. In order to cycle through gadgets, just press its assigned button and that will be the current gadget in use. Remember that your monkey net counts as one of your four gadgets!
In addition to gadgets, Kei and Yumi can temporarily change forms in order to catch those crazy monkeys. Each character has a special wristband device that allows them to transform into a number of special characters, including a knight who repels fire, an Arabian who controls dancing genie, and a Kung Fu fighter that can punch buttons that Kei and Yumi cannot purchase and view it later in Shop Mode. These movie shorts aren’t essential to gameplay, but they sure are funny!
Speaking of Shop Mode, Ape Escape 3 features awesome new modes that really boost the game’s replay value. In Shop Mode you’ll find a hobby shop where you can purchase and play unlockable mini games like monkey toss and Mesal Gear Solid (don’t ask). In addition to being able to purchase clips of the TV shows, you can also access other content such as the Monkeypedia and TV channel guides. So, when you finally manage to capture all 400 monkeys (which in itself take a while), you’ll find that you still have hours worth of stuff to do before you completely finish playing the game.
All in all, Ape Escape 3 has great but not groundbreaking graphics, a corny but cute sound quality, and a very well polished replay value compared to the last two titles. But with so much monkey mayhem taking place, and with so many ways to join in the fun, Ape Escape 3 is definitely one of the best ways to frivolously spend your time that we can think of!
Top Game Moment: Morphing into other characters is definitely this game’s best new feature. There are so many different characters to transform into, and they each have their own special ability to help you catch those crazy monkeys! This new feature adds loads of variety to gameplay, and is often pretty funny, too!
 |
 |
 |
| Don’t let those monkeys take your net and catch you instead! | Stun those monkeys in order to calm them down! |
The premise is as off the wall as fans of the Ape Escape series would expect: The evil monkey ruler Specter has persuaded the human Dr. Tomoki to help him take over the human world, and they’ve unleashed 400 monkeys onto the human airwaves in order to do so. Everyone knows how entertaining and cute those monkeys can be - and soon, humans will be so consumed with watching them in their wacky new TV shows, everyone’s brain is going to turn into mush!
It might not be a groundbreaking concept, but running through dozens of TV show sets that are all different from one another is a great new way to round up all of those naughty little marsupials! You can begin your adventure as either Kei or Yumi, a brother and sister team who need to go through each and every TV studio and round up all of the monkeys in that sitcom. The sets all have a different theme, from Country Western and Desert to Cemetery motifs, and so do the stars of the show. You’ll encounter everyone from action-adventure hero monkeys to fire-spitting turban-adorned monkeys, and they’ve each got their own unique characteristics. Some monkeys are slow and passive; some are quick and eager to capture you instead!
Once you’ve selected your character, you’ll begin your adventure armed only with a stun-club and a monkey net. You can use your stun-club to tranquilize monkeys as well as to destroy robots and other evildoers as you make your way through the levels. Once you’ve stunned a monkey, use your net to scoop them up and catch them. You can swipe your monkey net in a couple of different ways depending on how you maneuver the analog stick. But be very careful as you do So! Feisty monkeys will fight back, and can grab hold of your net and pull it right out of your grip. If they manage to catch you with your own net, you lose the game.
While your two initial items are essentially basic, there are loads of other gadgets to be picked up along the way. Things like RC cars that can be used to get down narrow passageways, helicopter blades that enable you to fly over areas, and hula hoops that do damage to anything that comes close to you as you swivel them around your hips can all be found throughout the game. Each one uses a unique control pattern to activate, which gives gadgets an individual feel.
 |
|
 |
| You can purchase mini show clips in Shop Mode | Some monkeys are armed with weapons! |
You can assign up to four gadgets to the face buttons on the controller for quick use. Unfortunately, this means that you can only have up to four gadgets at a time, but you can reassign them as often as you like. In order to cycle through gadgets, just press its assigned button and that will be the current gadget in use. Remember that your monkey net counts as one of your four gadgets!
In addition to gadgets, Kei and Yumi can temporarily change forms in order to catch those crazy monkeys. Each character has a special wristband device that allows them to transform into a number of special characters, including a knight who repels fire, an Arabian who controls dancing genie, and a Kung Fu fighter that can punch buttons that Kei and Yumi cannot purchase and view it later in Shop Mode. These movie shorts aren’t essential to gameplay, but they sure are funny!
Speaking of Shop Mode, Ape Escape 3 features awesome new modes that really boost the game’s replay value. In Shop Mode you’ll find a hobby shop where you can purchase and play unlockable mini games like monkey toss and Mesal Gear Solid (don’t ask). In addition to being able to purchase clips of the TV shows, you can also access other content such as the Monkeypedia and TV channel guides. So, when you finally manage to capture all 400 monkeys (which in itself take a while), you’ll find that you still have hours worth of stuff to do before you completely finish playing the game.
 |
|
 |
| Use many different gadgets to help you catch those monkeys! | Changing forms will give you different special abilities |
All in all, Ape Escape 3 has great but not groundbreaking graphics, a corny but cute sound quality, and a very well polished replay value compared to the last two titles. But with so much monkey mayhem taking place, and with so many ways to join in the fun, Ape Escape 3 is definitely one of the best ways to frivolously spend your time that we can think of!
Top Game Moment: Morphing into other characters is definitely this game’s best new feature. There are so many different characters to transform into, and they each have their own special ability to help you catch those crazy monkeys! This new feature adds loads of variety to gameplay, and is often pretty funny, too!
