PaRappa the Rapper 2 gameplay impressions

[08.31.01] » I'm the Masta Rapper and I'm here to say, I love Fruity Pebbles PaRappa 2 in a major way!

   PaRappa the Rapper 2 was recently released in Japan, and the GIA staff has given it a fairly thorough playthrough. The gameplay, as it stands, is extremely similar to the original PaRappa. A "teacher" says a line of a rap, and a series of button presses appears on screen. The player must then repeat the teacher's line by pressing controller buttons with the correct rhythm. "Freestyling" correctly, or pressing buttons in a rhythmic pattern that differs from the teacher's exact pattern, can earn you hundreds of bonus points.

   The plot of PaRappa 2, as it stands, is extremely silly. Whereas the first game focused on PaRappa's efforts to win the heart of the beautiful Sunny Funny, the sequel is concerned with the actions of an evil force hell-bent on turning all of the world's food into noodles. PaRappa, PJ Berri, and Katy Kat all return; PaRappa and Sunny's dads have their roles significantly increased, too. Also appearing (and playing in at least one song) is Milkcan, the band from Um Jammer Lammy. The premise of noodle-based destruction is not as immediately charming as the first game's story of winning a girl's heart, but it serves well enough as a bridge between the game's main focus: the music stages.

   There are eight stages in all with seven teachers between them. Most of these teachers are new to PaRappa 2, though a few have been seen in other series titles. In general, the songs are more laid-back and hip hop-styled than the frenetic fusion style of the first game or the rock and roll of Um Jammer Lammy. Song styles are varied, from free-style, fast-paced jams and slow, romantic R&B, to a traditional call-and-response party number and even a computer-synthesized chiptune.

   One great improvement is the new two-player Battle Mode. Players are given a phrase, such as "Cut the lettuce," and then take turns freestyling back and forth. Player 1 repeats the phrase, adding embellishments. Player 2 then tries to outdo Player 1's freestyle mojo; if successful, Player 1 has another chance to outdo Player 2. The raps get crazier and more complex until one player's points drop to zero, ending the round. The first player to win three rounds wins the battle. All of the game's stages can be played in Battle Mode by two human players, or against the computer on one of four difficulty levels.

   It is currently unknown if there are any playable characters other than PaRappa. However, completing the game opens up a "Circuit 2" mode, with a different costume for PaRappa and slightly modified stages/raps. Perhaps completing the Circuit 2 mode will open up even more gameplay options. One final note: gamers looking to import should be aware that the game has full English voices and English subtitles, so the already minimal language barrier is reduced to nothing. For more on PaRappa 2, check out 28 screenshots from the final retail version.