Ape Escape is a popular video game franchise that was first released for the PlayStation 1 console. It revolves around the story of a group of apes who gain magical powers and cause chaos in various locations. The game features a unique gameplay mechanic that requires players to use a special controller to catch all the escaped apes. The main idea of Ape Escape is the concept of ape magic and the havoc that it causes. The game introduces players to a world where apes have gained magical powers, enabling them to escape and wreak havoc wherever they go. This sets the stage for an exciting and adventurous gameplay experience.
So. As I listen to the exhilarating likes of 'Stairs' or 'Key' or 'Seoul Music' (great song title) I continue to - entirely involuntarily - see a picture in my mind of a rakishly reclining, designer-suit wearing David Bowie louchely working his way through a bottle of Gordon's London Dry in some minimalist NYC apartment with blinds firmly shuttered so as to keep both himself and his impeccably modernist threads cool and sweat-free from the unwanted climactic intrusions of an unseasonably bright and humid late 1981 afternoon. Oh yes. I can quite clearly see him there now as I listen to Technodelic's Eno-esque instrumental 'Light In Darkness': David elegantly marinating in a gin haze, listening to this LP for the very first time and uttering enthusiastic exclamations to himself: "ohh christ this is. YESS. this is really rather exquisite. mmmmm, it's got a sort of. err. hauntingly stark yet eerily beautiful atmosphere about it. THIS - I feel quite certain about it now - THIS is how I want my next album tooo. uhh. to soound: like some austere techno-futurist dreamscape governed by ruthless morality police. in which. ermm. in which an intoxicating but strictly off-limits dance-partner takes a slow-drag on something illicit to ward off a creeping sense of existential dread, whilst, at the same moment, a sudden burst of rhythmic gunfire rings-out from a few blocks over - as if in. as if in solidarity with the very last remaining specimen of an exceedingly rare orchid species which, half a world away, in an act of quiet rebellion, has taken upon itself to slowly wither and die in an as yet untamed tract of tropical rainforest. opting instead for a. for a dignified sort of. a dignified sort of OBLIVION. YES, that's it! ha-HA!". [Excitedly picks up phone receiver and calls Atlantic Records] . "Yes. Hullo? Uh, hi. it's err. it's David Bowie here. It is, I'm afraid. ha-HA! Yes, well, I can imagine that in your line of work you most probably do get fairly regular nuisance calls. Yes it is, yes. Oh, that's quite alright - it's rather an awkward position for me to have put you in, I suppose. No, no - no need to apologise at all, I can appreciate why you might have had some reservations regarding. authenticity. ha-HA! Yes, that's right. Oh, I'm feeling dangerously well, thank you. Listen, Deborah. it was Deborah wasn't it. Sorry, yes. Deborah - I wonder if you could perhaps do me the small favour of passing on my current telephone number to Mr. Nile Rodgers at your earliest convenience. Yes, that would be terrific. Thanks ever so much. Could you let him know also that I have some. ahm. some ideas that I'd very much like to run by him - if and when he has the available time to do so, of course. as well as a.. err. a strange and let's just say rather enchanting recording called Technodelic that I'd very much like him to uhh.. to listen to - if, mind you. IF, the wondrously talented sod hasn't already beaten me to it. HA-HA-HAA. "
I can quite clearly see him there now as I listen to Technodelic s Eno-esque instrumental Light In Darkness David elegantly marinating in a gin haze, listening to this LP for the very first time and uttering enthusiastic exclamations to himself ohh christ this is. I apologise in advance here, as I m now about to go and willingly hurl myself down a tangential rabbit-hole; reason being, I can t seem to shake David Bowie from my mind whenever I listen to this, YMO s sixth studio album.
This sets the stage for an exciting and adventurous gameplay experience. The game's storyline revolves around a young boy named Spike who is tasked with capturing all the escaped apes and returning them to a safe location. Spike is equipped with various gadgets that help him in his mission, such as a net for catching the apes and a stun club for defending against their attacks.
Yellow Magic Orchestra – Technodelic
And with that, begins Yellow Magic Orchestra’s fifth—and arguably best—album, Technodelic. As opposed to the object of their disgust in that opening line, the album sparkles and is an absolutely gorgeous set of electronic pop music from a group at the very height of its abilities, and whose intent appears to be to throw a bit of a wrench in their creative process.
As such, it’s a bit of a departure for the trio, dialing up and broadening the sonics while at the same time refining their approach in the studio. The comparisons to Kraftwerk had always been there, and were perhaps justified, but Technodelic put those comparisons to bed permanently by reaching beyond the motorik, blippy aesthetic of previous albums and embracing a sound suite wider in scope, but a method more succinct and precise.
It’s not that some of those previously similar elements didn’t find their way into the album. It is an electronic album, at any rate, in an era whose music in many ways emerged from the shadows cast by Kraftwerk. But there’s just so much more going on here than the minimalist electronic pop so closely associated with Kraftwerk’s back catalog. YMO sounds untethered by their previous touchstones.
The feeling one gets from the album with respect to their output to that point is deliberate, sharp, expansive, and eye-opening. It’s hard to imagine Kraftwerk, for all its brilliance and innovation, constructing something like “Seoul Music,” with its percussive vocal samples, looped melody, and chugging bassline—or the rolling piano and faux trumpets of “Stairs.”
The album notes YMO’s first use of the LMD-649 sampler. Unlike their previous albums, samples really take the forefront here. It gives the album a quality rooted in both realism and sequenced synths. Together with the live drums and Haruomi Hosono’s bass playing, the album feels on one hand more tangible, more present—and on the other, transcendental and difficult to pinpoint.
Synths are still clearly a part of YMO’s bag of tricks, however, but the live instrumentation (or sampling thereof) grounds the album in reality. Many of the songs here contain constant reminders of the real world, whether it’s through bits of sampled chants, stomps, or factory sounds. The lyrics tend to be focused around earthly topics and making sense of what’s in front of us; whether it be an ugly slice of bread (“Pure Jam”), a moth or key in a forest (“Key”), or a foreign culture (“Seoul Music”), time and again the theme that YMO returns to is our perception of the world around us and how realities vary from person to person.
Then there’s the Brian Eno-like “Gradated Grey,” its swooping bits of compressed and phased air and effects interweaving throughout, with what sounds like a processed train whistle acting to guide the song along. It’s the calm before the storm of “Key” kicks in, inundating the listener with a manic beat and sequenced synths underlined by Takahashi’s lilted vocals.
We see the culmination of these themes in the lyrics here: “What do you see? / I see a moth / What kind? / It looks like my lover / Whatcha gonna do? / I wanna chase it.” The speaker here has difficulty identifying what precisely he’s seeing and experiencing (“Somebody please, what’s wrong with me?”). He quickly becomes frightened, unable to both disseminate his reality and escape it using the key he’s found. “I’ve got a feeling something’s happening / It gives me a thrill but it’s also very frightening.”
In a way, what YMO seems to be saying here, is that sometimes it’s best to accept something for what it is. Allowing yourself to assign a value or definition to something based on the perception of the world around you can lead to confusion and frustration. Sometimes it’s best to experience something by letting it ride over you and be what it is. This is music steeped in both the history of traditional music and at play with unconventional and innovative forms. Perhaps the statement here that YMO wants us to leave with is “let it be what it is.” It’s music, and it’s damn good.
The gameplay in Ape Escape is unique and innovative for its time. It requires players to use the PlayStation 1's DualShock controller, which features analog sticks, to control Spike's movements and actions. The game makes full use of the controller's capabilities, allowing players to perform a variety of actions, such as running, jumping, and using gadgets. As players progress through the game, they will encounter different types of apes with unique abilities and traits. Some apes may be more aggressive and require extra caution, while others may be more elusive and difficult to catch. Additionally, each level presents its own set of challenges and obstacles that players must overcome in order to successfully capture all the apes. Overall, Ape Escape for the PlayStation 1 is an exciting and innovative game that showcases the concept of ape magic. The game's unique gameplay mechanics and captivating storyline make it a must-play for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike..
Reviews for "Ape Magic on the PS1: The Ultimate Guide to Performing Incredible Tricks"
1. Stephanie - 2/5 - "I found Ape Magic PS1 to be quite underwhelming and repetitive. The graphics were subpar and the controls felt clunky. The gameplay lacked depth, with only a few basic actions to perform. The levels felt uninspired, and I quickly grew bored of the same repeated tasks. Overall, I found the game to be unengaging and would not recommend it to others."
2. John - 1/5 - "Ape Magic PS1 was a major disappointment for me. The storyline was incredibly weak and failed to captivate my interest. The game mechanics were confusing and poorly explained, making it frustrating to play. The level design was uninspired, and the lack of variety in challenges made it feel monotonous. In addition, the game suffered from frequent glitches and freezes, further adding to my frustration. Overall, I regret purchasing this game and would not recommend it to anyone."
3. Emily - 2/5 - "I had high hopes for Ape Magic PS1, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to navigate through the levels. The graphics were outdated and lacked detail, making it hard to immerse myself in the game. The puzzles were repetitive and offered little challenge. Overall, I found the game to be mediocre at best and would not recommend it to fellow gamers."
4. Mark - 2/5 - "Ape Magic PS1 was a letdown for me. The gameplay was lackluster and failed to hold my interest for long. The platforming elements were poorly executed, with imprecise jumps and frustrating camera angles. The game's sound effects were repetitive and annoying. While I appreciate the attempt at creating a unique storyline, it felt disjointed and poorly developed. Overall, I was not impressed with Ape Magic PS1 and would not recommend it to others."