Pandemonium

Game doesn't work and needs to be removed.

I really didn't need to buy this seriously Rating: -2/3

Pandemonium from Crystal Dynamics is one of those transitional platformers that clearly reflects a moment in gaming history when developers were experimenting with how to move beyond traditional 2D design without fully committing to true 3D gameplay. Built on a 2.5D foundation, it keeps the familiar structure of a side-scrolling platformer while presenting its world through shifting camera angles and fully three-dimensional environments. The result is a game that feels both classic and experimental at the same time, combining straightforward mechanics with a presentation that was ambitious for its era. The game follows two playable characters, Nikki and Fargus, whose journey is driven by a simple but effective premise involving a magical disaster and the search for a way to undo it. The story is lighthearted and slightly chaotic, filled with odd characters and surreal elements that match the tone of the world. While the narrative itself does not carry much emotional weight, it provides a consistent framework that ties together the game’s unusual settings and whimsical design choices. The focus remains firmly on the gameplay, with the story acting more as flavor than as a central d…

Absolutely adored this game as a kid! Was delighted to see it available on steam. That was until I started to play it. Impossible to change between the characters. You can’t bring up settings. Only four buttons work. A, B and RT. B and RT doing the same function, attack. A to jump. R1 is the “okay” button. If you need anything else, you’re screwed. Such a shame because it’s a brilliant game. Would I recommend the game? Yes. Just not on steam deck or PC. PS1 is the way to go, that’s if it still works. I am a determined pain in the hoohaa and got to level 3. So it’s doable but it’s frustrating.

Pandemonium is a great game, and really kind of a gem. It's also hard as hell, at least at some parts. If you want to play this, you could either do the Playstation, Sega Saturn or PC version. The Playstation version is pretty choppy due to hardware limitations, so I strongly recommend the PC version (I haven't tried the Saturn one). Unfortunately, as with many old games, it's not entirely compatible, BUT you can get it running perfectly without music. There's an update for the video card and if you install that you can get it going in five minutes. I tend to play games without music so it didn't bother me, but the music files are actually freely available in the game files as MP3s so you can just play them in the background while you play if you insist. There's also a file that tells you how to change the bitmap of Nikki the girl's face with very specific instructions. Weirdly, there is not one for Fargus, the court jester. Why did the developers think this is so important they put specific instructions in there on how to do it? I have no idea. When you actually start playing this, you will probably notice that it feels a lot like Crash Bandicoot, but kinda generic. In fact I r…

I loved this game as a kid, but this game barely works. No good.