Incredible Crisis for the original Playstation is by no means a groundbreaking game, yet it manages to be fresh, fun, and satisfyingly unique. You begin the game playing as Taneo, a Japanese businessman, as he leaves his home to go to work. From there, you witness, and subsequently play out, all of the events that occur until Taneo returns home in the evening. When you finally get Taneo home safely, you then take control of Taneo’s wife, and control all her daily actions. This continues until you guide every member of the family safely home from dinner.
This game may sound ordinary, but it is by no means run of the mill. Rather than the game being one linear adventure, it is instead a gargantuan collection of mini games. The games range from a Metal Gear Solid-esque stealth trip to the bank to a Parappa style dance workout session. That is precisely what keeps this game so fresh: variety. Every game is so different that you will never get bored.
Another aspect that makes this game so fun is the ever-present humor. The voice acting is pure genius, and Taneo’s irreverent comments and well-timed yells will have you rolling on the floor in laughter. If you love comedy at all, especially slap stick humor a lá Monty Python, than
this game is for you. Taneo’s misadventures are always painful for him, which in turn makes them all the more entertaining. Furthermore, the premises of the minigames are so outlandish that you cannot help but chuckle. In one game, you need to help Taneo give a well-proportioned female a “sensual massage.” When you massage her “pressure points” she lets loose a guffaw inducing moan of pleasure. The games can also be incredibly odd. For example, one game, reminiscent of the classic Missile Command, has you in a missile turret trying to shoot down army planes so a UFO can safely escape. While this game is crude, and also very odd at points, it is quite enjoyable.
The graphics are fantastic for a PSX game as well. There is very little aliasing (jaggies) and everything has a smooth, polished look to it. While you are playing the minigames there is a good deal of detail in the background that adds to the feel of the game. The animations are smooth too, and the characters move about completely fluidly. The cut scenes are the real treat; they are practically PS2 quality! They seem to have a kind of fuzzy coating, but that does not matter when a CG sequence is so beautifully rendered and detailed.
You may be wondering why, if the game is so good, it did not achieve commercial success. The main reason for this is the game’s distinct Japanese feel. This game simply was not made for American consumers. The minigames, many of which involve well-timed button mashing and lightning quick reactions, are not aimed at a mainstream audience. The minigames do begin to grow repetitive after a while, but the sheer amount of them and the hilarious antics that occur in between keep the game interesting. Unfortunately, there is no multiplayer mode in the game to add replay value. You can, however, replay minigames that you have beaten whenever you like, but they seem to lose their allure after a few plays through. The game is no walk in the park, though, and some minigames will have you ripping out tufts of hair in frustration. While the game is difficult, it does not make you want to throw the disc across the room, but rather spurs you to hit the button even harder so you can advance in order to view the next hilarious sequence. If you love slapstick humor, or want a unique game that never quite achieved popularity, you owe it to yourself to pick this game up. While it may not be quite as incredible as the name suggests, it sure is an entertaining adventure.
