Looks like we’ve got another miss-tery
Now lets see who the villain really is- it’s design…
Scooby-Doo is one of the most popular and beloved animated franchises in history. Debuting in 1969, it has remained strong and continues to endure to this very day. As with any huge franchise, tie-ins are all but inevitable. In 2001 Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase would be released on Playstation and the Gameboy to coincide with the Direct-to-Video film of the same name. Would this be a delicious Scooby-snack or something rotten wearing a mask?
Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase’s narrative follows the film in a very loose and condensed manner. The gang is invited to a presentation of a video game based on and starring them. However, things take a hard turn when an evil phantom virus infects the game and tells them they will never escape. Fred, being the fearless and bold leader, says they need to split up. Fred and Daphne will look for a trap, Velma will do all the technical mumbo-jumbo, while Scooby and Shaggy are basically stuck doing the hard part- going into the game itself to stop the Phantom (you’re an asshole Fred).
This is a 3-D platformer, a staple of its time. You alternate between Scooby and Shaggy while venturing through various levels to collect a box of Scooby Snacks to finish it. The controls are okay, the characters move more-or-less fluidly. Scooby and Shaggy’s method of attack is double jump stomping and…..throwing pies……because that’s such a Scooby-Doo trademark? Each level is essentially a Crash Bandicoot-esque obstacle course. While the controls are decent enough, the platforming can be janky. Especially during moving platform sections, leading to many deaths and moments of frustration for the younger audiences this is aimed towards. There is also one level where you drive a snow-mobile and you can’t turn around, go backwards or stop. This thing moves at a million miles-per-minute and trying to clear that one specific gap towards the end was the absolute bane of my 10-year-old self’s existence.
The graphics are pretty good for its time. The characters all look and sound like they are supposed to. Like in the film, you will explore Ancient Japan, Rome, prehistoric-jungles and a modern big city. The level design, while varied, is painfully standard platform-fair. Where this game actually does shine is its music and sound design. All the cast from the movie reprise their roles and do a solid job. The track for each stage pairs well with its atmosphere. A nice flute and drum for Japan and a swinging and funky late 2000s jam for the modern city.
All round, Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase is a pretty mediocre experience. Aside from the soundtrack, everything across the board is just painfully average. Average levels and average gameplay really just make this the dictionary definition of “So-so”. That combined with the platforming and vehicle level being out right frustrating makes this game a hard sell. Not to mention, even for its time this game is VERY short; clocking in around 2 hours. Unless you’re a die-hard Scooby fan, this is a mystery you can skip. Enter the cyber-world, find the Scooby snacks and take down the Phantom virus one pie at a time.
And I would’ve gotten away with it too if this game had more effort put into it… ,
Fil
Verdict: 6/10