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"[GAME] Phineas & Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension"

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Thu 24/05/12 at 14:23
Regular
"And in last place.."
Posts: 2,054
Phineas & Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension, a game that is out on its own at the top of my Most Played Games in 2012 chart and the hours spent on this game is not done through choice. Well, not always.

Due to one of the TV channels that my daughter chooses to watch I’ve become quite a fan of the Phineas & Ferb cartoon. I would rate it as highly as the best cartoons from my childhood and that is not a statement I make lightly. My interest stops at the TV show, I had no interest at all in the game.

My lack of interest in the game proved to be no obstacle in obtaining a copy. Upon being shown 2 games that I was choosing between, my daughter suggested I’d be better with Phineas & Ferb. How could I say no? I wasn’t too concerned though, she doesn’t really play games so she will lose interest quickly enough, I’ll get the platinum trophy and then I can move it on.

That plan was almost perfect. I’ve got the platinum trophy but my daughter loves this game and we play a level or 2 most days. I probably know this game better than the developers ever did. At the current level of interest, in another few weeks I’ll be able to complete this game with my eyes closed whilst holding the control pad upside down, with my feet.

The game shares the same name as the film (which I’m sure most of you active on this forum will not have seen) but rather than follow the storyline of the film, the game expands on an event from the film and it fits in rather well.

The introduction sequence sets the scene via a variety of clips from the film complete with a catchy tune in the background which will stay in your head for a while. The film saw Phineas & Ferb travel to an alternate dimension (that will be the 2nd dimension in the title), an undesirable dimension ruled by a successful Dr Doofenshmirtz. We join Phineas & Ferb as they use porthole to yet another dimension to escape the evil clutches of Dr Doofenshmirtz. What follows is a trip through some weird and wonderful locations as our two young heroes battle a variety of enemies and travel back to their rightful dimension.

The game starts out in the familiar surroundings of the home of Phineas & Ferb but with this being an alternate dimension, things are not quite the same. Danville is swamped in jelly and our boys are attacked by jelly monsters. The gameplay is similar to the Lego games, 3D environments in which to run and jump through with or without a friend, or an enthusiastic daughter. The AI does a perfectly good job if you are short of a companion and you will never feel like you are doing all the work yourself. There are 6 dimensions to work through with numerous levels to each dimension.

Each dimension is drastically different to the previous one and shows similar levels of imagination to the TV series. With this being a game for the younger gamer, there is nothing too complex. The boys fight their way through each level collecting various bits and pieces towards building an invention. The on-foot levels all involve some platforming and a bit of puzzle solving which really only goes as far as putting the correct piece in the correct slot. There are a few shoot-em-up style levels to spice things up a little.

The boys are armed with a variety of weapons but watchful parents need not panic, we are talking about orange juice and baseballs as ammo. I guess shooting a baseball at someone could be rather dangerous though. Ammo is not an issue but you overuse of the gun will require a period of downtime as the weapon recharges.

It wouldn’t be Phineas & Ferb without a spot of inventing but sadly the inventions pale in comparison to what we see on the TV series. Building a portable communication device of a catapult isn’t quite as interesting as building the biggest roller coaster in the world. The actual building process is a tad mundane too, simply hold down a button. It is more disappointing when the other Phineas & Ferb games on the DS turn the building actions into an interactive activity.

A selection of the main cast characters are playable in the game, along with some characters from the film. The game also introduces us to a new character, Agent T, but being able to play as the likes of the neurotic Candace or Dr Doofenshmirtz is sadly missing, these characters are restricted to cameos. The characters are voiced by the same actors from the TV series which always adds a welcome authenticity. Those looking to play as the neurotic Candace or Buford are going to be disappointed.

There is certainly no shortage of things to do in this game and those that like to obtain 100% completion rate will certainly be playing through at least a 2nd time. Each of the 6 weapons can be levelled up to level 4. For the less enjoyable weapons, this becomes a bit of a chore. Within each level there are 5 gold coins to collect, some are fairly hard to miss, others will require a spot of exploration. There are figures and weapon modifications to be found throughout the game.

The bulk of what is required to complete this game to its fullest comes in the form of the mini games which can be played at the end of each level. The gold coins on each level are your currency, 1 coin grants you a credit on the games. The first game is the classic amusement arcade game where you position the claw and get upset when it drops the item it had picked up. The prizes in this game are hidden in containers so it is a lucky dip. Some of the containers are stationary so you’ll get the lesser prizes in these, the real treasures lie within the containers on the turning cog wheels. The other game is a roll the ball along to the ramp and hit the revolving coloured panels to score type of game. It’s probably got an official name but that’s the best I can come up with. This is spiced up by explosive balls and multi balls. Any tickets which are one can then be spent in the shop. There is a lot to buy, and I do mean a lot. New characters to use in the main game can be bought, outfits for these characters can be bought and figures can be bought. In order to get everything you are going to have to play these mini games more than a few times, in fact you will have to play them until you are sick of the sight of them but that still won’t see you having enough tickets to purchase everything.

The difficulty level is set at a good level for younger gamers, more experienced gamers will whizz through easily enough but obtaining every item in the game will still take a considerable amount of time.

After many, many sessions on this game I am getting rather tired of it now but I can’t deny it is a decent game. I’ve certainly enjoyed playing this with my daughter and I have also played it by myself. The game isn’t a cheap cash-in and it certainly can’t be faulted for the diversity in the levels or the amount to do. It takes some influence from the Lego games and is at its best when played with others but it doesn’t quite have the charm to appeal to older gamers like the Lego games do.

Score from a 6 year old who doesn't play many games:
10

Score from a 37 year old remembering this is a game for kids:
7
Sun 27/05/12 at 09:57
Moderator
"possibly impossible"
Posts: 24,985
Great review. My kids are always bugging me for this game, but it sounds safer to get them the DS version!
Thu 24/05/12 at 14:23
Regular
"And in last place.."
Posts: 2,054
Phineas & Ferb: Across the 2nd Dimension, a game that is out on its own at the top of my Most Played Games in 2012 chart and the hours spent on this game is not done through choice. Well, not always.

Due to one of the TV channels that my daughter chooses to watch I’ve become quite a fan of the Phineas & Ferb cartoon. I would rate it as highly as the best cartoons from my childhood and that is not a statement I make lightly. My interest stops at the TV show, I had no interest at all in the game.

My lack of interest in the game proved to be no obstacle in obtaining a copy. Upon being shown 2 games that I was choosing between, my daughter suggested I’d be better with Phineas & Ferb. How could I say no? I wasn’t too concerned though, she doesn’t really play games so she will lose interest quickly enough, I’ll get the platinum trophy and then I can move it on.

That plan was almost perfect. I’ve got the platinum trophy but my daughter loves this game and we play a level or 2 most days. I probably know this game better than the developers ever did. At the current level of interest, in another few weeks I’ll be able to complete this game with my eyes closed whilst holding the control pad upside down, with my feet.

The game shares the same name as the film (which I’m sure most of you active on this forum will not have seen) but rather than follow the storyline of the film, the game expands on an event from the film and it fits in rather well.

The introduction sequence sets the scene via a variety of clips from the film complete with a catchy tune in the background which will stay in your head for a while. The film saw Phineas & Ferb travel to an alternate dimension (that will be the 2nd dimension in the title), an undesirable dimension ruled by a successful Dr Doofenshmirtz. We join Phineas & Ferb as they use porthole to yet another dimension to escape the evil clutches of Dr Doofenshmirtz. What follows is a trip through some weird and wonderful locations as our two young heroes battle a variety of enemies and travel back to their rightful dimension.

The game starts out in the familiar surroundings of the home of Phineas & Ferb but with this being an alternate dimension, things are not quite the same. Danville is swamped in jelly and our boys are attacked by jelly monsters. The gameplay is similar to the Lego games, 3D environments in which to run and jump through with or without a friend, or an enthusiastic daughter. The AI does a perfectly good job if you are short of a companion and you will never feel like you are doing all the work yourself. There are 6 dimensions to work through with numerous levels to each dimension.

Each dimension is drastically different to the previous one and shows similar levels of imagination to the TV series. With this being a game for the younger gamer, there is nothing too complex. The boys fight their way through each level collecting various bits and pieces towards building an invention. The on-foot levels all involve some platforming and a bit of puzzle solving which really only goes as far as putting the correct piece in the correct slot. There are a few shoot-em-up style levels to spice things up a little.

The boys are armed with a variety of weapons but watchful parents need not panic, we are talking about orange juice and baseballs as ammo. I guess shooting a baseball at someone could be rather dangerous though. Ammo is not an issue but you overuse of the gun will require a period of downtime as the weapon recharges.

It wouldn’t be Phineas & Ferb without a spot of inventing but sadly the inventions pale in comparison to what we see on the TV series. Building a portable communication device of a catapult isn’t quite as interesting as building the biggest roller coaster in the world. The actual building process is a tad mundane too, simply hold down a button. It is more disappointing when the other Phineas & Ferb games on the DS turn the building actions into an interactive activity.

A selection of the main cast characters are playable in the game, along with some characters from the film. The game also introduces us to a new character, Agent T, but being able to play as the likes of the neurotic Candace or Dr Doofenshmirtz is sadly missing, these characters are restricted to cameos. The characters are voiced by the same actors from the TV series which always adds a welcome authenticity. Those looking to play as the neurotic Candace or Buford are going to be disappointed.

There is certainly no shortage of things to do in this game and those that like to obtain 100% completion rate will certainly be playing through at least a 2nd time. Each of the 6 weapons can be levelled up to level 4. For the less enjoyable weapons, this becomes a bit of a chore. Within each level there are 5 gold coins to collect, some are fairly hard to miss, others will require a spot of exploration. There are figures and weapon modifications to be found throughout the game.

The bulk of what is required to complete this game to its fullest comes in the form of the mini games which can be played at the end of each level. The gold coins on each level are your currency, 1 coin grants you a credit on the games. The first game is the classic amusement arcade game where you position the claw and get upset when it drops the item it had picked up. The prizes in this game are hidden in containers so it is a lucky dip. Some of the containers are stationary so you’ll get the lesser prizes in these, the real treasures lie within the containers on the turning cog wheels. The other game is a roll the ball along to the ramp and hit the revolving coloured panels to score type of game. It’s probably got an official name but that’s the best I can come up with. This is spiced up by explosive balls and multi balls. Any tickets which are one can then be spent in the shop. There is a lot to buy, and I do mean a lot. New characters to use in the main game can be bought, outfits for these characters can be bought and figures can be bought. In order to get everything you are going to have to play these mini games more than a few times, in fact you will have to play them until you are sick of the sight of them but that still won’t see you having enough tickets to purchase everything.

The difficulty level is set at a good level for younger gamers, more experienced gamers will whizz through easily enough but obtaining every item in the game will still take a considerable amount of time.

After many, many sessions on this game I am getting rather tired of it now but I can’t deny it is a decent game. I’ve certainly enjoyed playing this with my daughter and I have also played it by myself. The game isn’t a cheap cash-in and it certainly can’t be faulted for the diversity in the levels or the amount to do. It takes some influence from the Lego games and is at its best when played with others but it doesn’t quite have the charm to appeal to older gamers like the Lego games do.

Score from a 6 year old who doesn't play many games:
10

Score from a 37 year old remembering this is a game for kids:
7

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