Sometimes, life gives you lemons…and if you’re anything like Cave Johnson…
You ask to see life’s manager
(Apologies in advance for getting any Portal 2 fans hopes up of any writing related to that game in the coming article, by the way.)
That’s how i felt recently when playing the game Postal Redux for some writing ideas, which turned out to be a much bigger pain in the ass than I had originally considered. I had remembered playing Postal 2 in my youth, which in my memory, was on similar levels of divisive, trashy satire as say something akin to Duke Nukem 3D; solid game engines built upon some crass humor (Duke being a thousand times better having said that). I could say it was a different time, but that always sounds like a cop out to justify shitty behavior, so I won’t. I now question my memory entirely though, as when I played Postal 1’s enhanced port, I was fairly stunned at just how tasteless the whole affair ended up being, and now question entirely whether or not Postal 2 was indeed just a complete dogshit sandwich of an experience than I had previously remembered chowing down on.
Telling me to suck on lemons being of a desirable comparison upon reflection
As I’ve said before: context is key, as there is a key difference in what Postal Redux does or how it goes about it vs going on a rampage in something like GTAIV. Alas, I may be putting the horse before the buggy with these sentiments, as I don’t know if I’m ever going to go back and replay Postal 2, but I have yet to even put my thoughts to keyboard in finalizing my overall considerations on Postal Redux. To that point, I kind of needed a break from feeling like the mayor of Bummercity by engaging in a mass murder simulation on the regs, and wanted to break up the bloodstained monotony with something that would lighten the mood considerably in contrast.
That’s right…I think it’s time for some monkey news.
Picture related
Now that my finances have started to stabilize, I figured I would upgrade my PS+ plan to include the classic catalog, and go back to basics with a little bit of some monkey news…and get down on some Ape Escape in the process. I think the series resides in that weird sweet spot of history; looked upon fondly by the vets of yore, but perhaps not quite as celebrated as some of the other Sony staples. Considering Ape Escape had to compete with the likes of Lara Croft, Crash, and Spyro (just to name a few), it’s of little surprise even a title as charming as Ape Escape got lost in the shuffle a bit.
Ape Escape’s contemporaries were no joke (art by Reddit user Old-Biscotti647)
The title was billed as proof positive that Sony was cooking with gasoline, as it was the first game to utilize the dual shock controller design. What seems like an industry standard today, and something maybe even unfathomable to exclude in modern day controllers, was wildly innovative back in 99′ when Ape Escape launched, and helped to forever cement a step forward in progress by being paired with it’s technological wunderkin of a hardware concept. With a couple of years of development under their belts for the game, it was clear Japan Studio of Sony Computer Entertainment fame wanted to nail the concept involving propping up the twin stick control scheme as the way forward with 3D gaming.
Not the only trail blazer of his day
Which was a large sigh of relief when the concept came together and the press and gamers alike lauded the title for it’s innovative approach to gameplay. Ape Escape stood on it’s own as a solid title, even aside from being the poster child for the dual shock concept, as the entire package was ridiculously charming, combining cartoonish visuals with some really tight audio design, playfully engaging soundtrack included. The games titular characters were also brimming with character, as they all seemingly had distinct personalities, or so the monkey radar would lead you to believe. 
He’s a bit confused but George has got the spirit
I think one of the reasons I tended to gravitate towards Ape Escape, aside from just generally being a playfully delightful romp, was due to my recent run-ins with some Metal Gear Solid related replays earlier this year, Snake vs Monkey included. The MGS series is no stranger to cross overs, having traded blows with the roster of Smash Bros, taking down some of the monstrous foes from the Monster Hunter games, and even doing an olly and grinding railings in an Evolution Skateboarding cross-over The MGSxApe Escape pairing always made perfect sense to me, as most people likely forget that Ape Escape isn’t just a 3D action platformer, but low key a stealth experience.
Like the best of us, when confronting the problems of the every day,
Spike of Ape Escape fame also goes into the fetal position to give
himself a moment of respite
Replaying Ape Escape right now also comes at a great time in reminding me that low poly 90’s nostalgia is in full swing, which warms my aging gaming heart, as their is a veritable treasure trove of both old titles and new opportunities to re-explore the feels and vibes of early 3D themed adventures in all of their jagged glory. I will likely try to take advantage of replaying a lot of PS1 classics, as they do in my opinion represent that sweet spot of “just enough” gameplay to get me excited, without going completely overboard in terms of content involving the gratuity that can be a collectathon.
Also known as DK64ing it, or as my friends and I
have also perversely mused “Overfeeding the Goose”
While I don’t have any official plans to cement rigid thoughts on Ape Escape or other PS1 classics in an official review format, I will continue to remind myself to take it easy every once in awhile, and that in the midst of dealing with the treachery and stress of the everyday, sometimes, all you need is a little good old fashioned monkey business to provide some levity in a weary world of woe gone wrong.
~Pashford
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