PlayStation 2

Scooby-Doo!: Night of 100 Frights

If this game didn’t have the Scooby Doo license, I doubt it would be as good as it is. Because in this case, having the Scooby license gives THQ and Heavy Iron the chance to make the game feel like the old show, and not only give fans something to do, but give kids a chance to get into the shows (which still air all the time, and are all over home video too) as well. Major hardcore gamers who don’t like Scooby Doo (scumbags) are sure to scoff at the premise and simplicity, but the rest will find Scooby to be a fun, if not mentally stimulating game that will probably be played through a few times, or at least until you get 100% complete. While licensed games are usually are junk, this one is quite good – and well worth your time.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This game is extremely fun and entertaining, but a couple of points had to go due to some camera and graphics issues which couldn’t be overlooked. The overall controls are smooth and easy to maneuver, and you can tell that Renderware and THQ really put some time into making this a good, solid, fun game. I would definitely recommend you avid Gamezone readers out there to give this one a try before passing it up as another kids game or a no go, or else you may miss out on an enjoyable gaming opportunity.

Do you love Scooby-Doo? If so, this is the game for you. It's got a lot of fun platforming elements such as minor puzzle solving scenarios, varied level challenges and tons of item searching and collecting. It's a beautifully crafted game that reflects the style of the cartoon better than any other previous attempt, but you will find that the camera seriously hampers the enjoyment at times. Are you not familiar with Scooby-Doo? If so, the game probably won't hold your interest long enough to justify a purchase and a rental is strongly recommended. Even though you may not want to add this title your collection, you will want to experience the superb animations for yourself because they are that good. "Scooby-Doo! Where are you?!" Now, you don't have to ask that question anymore; just turn on your PlayStation 2.

Overall, Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights is a good game and an excellent re-creation of a cherished cartoon.

There are some mentionable problems with the game, like the sometimes-annoying camera system and overly simplistic gameplay mechanics, but overall this is an entertaining platformer that doesn't feel like it was rushed out the door in the hopes of making some quick cash. THQ did a great job with the license and does justice to the Scooby legacy; a welcome breath of fresh air.

Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a fun platform title that is a bit light in content and certainly not as challenging as the newer platform games like Maximo or Jak & Daxter. Once you get used to the lack of any camera control you can settle in for a classic Scooby mystery presented in true TV style, complete with cheesy dialog and a cheesier laugh track.

Scooby-Doo is many things, but it's definitely not a hard-core Tekken fan's idea of fun; this I can say with sheer sincerity. In fact, I'd say it's not going to be a love-fest for any hardcore gamer. But it's really not meant to be. Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a fun, light-weight platformer that's got solid gameplay, respectable productions values, and a great sense of humor to back it up. For parents with kids, or old hippies who just can't handle today's grim prospects of war, terrorism, or reality TV, Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights is a wonderful escape into the wonders of cheesy TV, only this time you can play the show on your PlayStation 2. It's fun for what it is, surprisingly so.

It starts out with a faithful recreation of the theme song montage from the classic seventies Scooby Doo cartoon show, and it’s (mostly) all downhill from there. For fans of the original O.G. doggy dogg, there are a lot of nice touches, especially the hilarious voiceovers and cheesy laugh track. Graphically, it’s not too shabby, either, and there is even a well-designed warp system to take you between the various levels. Too bad the gameplay is so damn mediocre and dull. Oh yeah, as a reviewer, I believe I’m bound by law to say this: Scooby Doo? More like Scooby don’t!

Scooby Doo! Night of 100 Frights is pleasing for both the eyes and the ears. Although the graphics aren't mind blowing in the conventional sense, the game benefits from the fact that the graphics accurately represent the TV show's cartoon nature. The sound works in the same fashion as the sound effects, and the background music helps to create the illusion that you are in an actual Scooby Doo! episode. Unfortunately, these two features do not mask the choppy, non-fluid gameplay, which in the end creates a frustrating gaming experience.

J'avoue mettre bien amusé sur le jeu pendant environ une bonne heure. Passé ce cap, je me suis rendu compte que la suite n'apportera pas beaucoup de changements et se contentera de proposer sans cesse le même style de séquences de sauts. L'univers de Scooby-Doo est cependant bien respecté ce qui pourra éventuellement en attirer certains.

Unlike the wonderful Scooby Doo games from The Learning Company (Showdown in Ghost Town and Phantom of the Knight), the developers at Heavy Iron Studios have failed to capitalize on the wealth of riches provided to them and what could have been classic is instead a warmed-over rerun. If you must play Night of 100 Frights, do yourself a favor and rent it at your local store. At the end of your rental period, you will have had more than your share of Scooby Snacks for quite a while.