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The Fairly Odd Parents: Enter the Cleft

Score: 60%
ESRB: Everyone
Publisher: THQ
Developer: THQ
Media: Cart/1
Players: 1
Genre: Miscellaneous

Graphics & Sound:

One of the latest Nicktoons, The Fairly Odd Parents has done surprisingly well in the past couple of years. Yes, it's a normal reaction to cringe when hearing about a game made from a TV show, so let's put our delusions away and acknowledge that THQ's The Fairly Odd Parents: Enter the Cleft for Gameboy Advance probably isn't far above average.

While the 2D graphics could have made more use of the GBA's hardware, they are colorful and entertaining. Character animations reminiscent of the cartoon (go figure) and level scenery has an interesting layered effect. The title screen interface could use a little help.

Sound effects are also mediocre at most. There aren't any voice recordings and the quality is a few notches below average. Music follows suit. While the tunes from the show are there, they are also slightly downgraded.


Gameplay:

The Fairly Odd Parents: Enter the Cleft is a story about a young boy named Timmy who, upon reading his comic books, gets transported into a comic-universe (a dream come true!). Timmy, who is now a superhero complete with cape and super powers, finally meets his favorite hero, The Crimson Chin. However, The Crimson Chin is captured by a nameless aggressor, thus sealing our main character's destiny -- Timmy to the rescue!

As with most Nickelodeon games, the gameplay is the same old 'kill the same baddies over and over,' but in Enter the Cleft at least there are some cool gadgets to play with and an interesting concept. For instance, there are items you can collect throughout different levels that will eventually allow you to buy gadgets like gyrocopters and different weapons.

When it comes down to it, though, the gameplay is 'same ol, same ol'. Sure there are potentially interesting characters from the show, but the levels are short and repetitive. Don't look hard for the 'save/load' feature, because it isn't there - I understand new ideas, but I thought level passwords went down by the wayside years ago.


Difficulty:

The Fairly Odd Parents: Enter the Cleft is one of the easiest games I've played in a while. It can be completed one sitting (a long sitting, mind you), which might be the best way to do it since you won't have to worry about remembering those nasty passwords.

The game is suitable and probably challenging for children, so the game would definitely be an okay gift for lil' Joey.


Game Mechanics:

It's a side-scroller - if you've played one, you've played 'em all. Okay maybe that isn't true, but The Fairly Odd Parents: Enter the Cleft doesn't really expand on the genre. The graphics are, while simple, very stable and I noticed no bugs in the gameplay.

Enter the Cleft was a fun game, despite its misgivings. It would be the perfect gift for a child or hardcore fan of the show, but anyone else should spend their money elsewhere.


-Goat, GameVortex Communications
AKA Brandon Arnold

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