Review
Release Date: 08.18.1999
Platform:
PlayStationDeveloper:
NanaOn-ShaPublisher:
Sony Computer Entertainment AmericaReviewed by
Christian Kontul on 3.16.2003
| Review Rating: 9/10 | User Rating: 8.36/10 |
Nothing on the packaging for Um Jammer Lammy indicates that it has any connection to Parappa the Rapper, NanaOn-Sha’s 1997 Hip-Hop sleeper. Closer inspection reveals way too many similarities to be a coincidence. The music favors Rock and Roll more than Rap, but Um Jammer’s visual style and gameplay, as well as Parappa’s rather conspicuous presence, prove that both titles are related. Um Jammer Lammy is actually a pseudo-sequel, as it takes place in the same world as Parappa; it just focuses on different people.
The game stars a lamb, Lammy, who happens to be the lead guitarist in the band, MilkCan. The group (which includes the returning Katy Kat handling bass and vocals with Ma-San on the drums) has a big concert coming up. The thing is, the young heroine is a bit self-conscious and a mite irresponsible. During the opening, Lammy has a nightmare that she shows up late for MilkCan’s gig, and, due to her haste, plays a vacuum cleaner instead of her guitar. She awakens from her dream to discover that … She only has fifteen minutes to get ready and show up at the club! Yikes! It’s up to the player to guide Lammy through several predicaments (all of which incorporate music, somehow) to appear at her show on time. The story is silly and sweet, but very amusing and a joy to watch.
Since Um Jammer Lammy focuses more on playing the guitar than reciting lines, it plays differently than Parappa the Rapper. This doesn’t make it any less enjoyable; in fact, there’s a lot more to like here. All the levels have a master character singing a verse followed by Lammy orchestrating a solo in time with the music. The core mechanics will seem similar to anyone who’s rapped with Parappa, as the player has to input a series of buttons to make Lammy jam. However, freestyling lyrics is lot different than wailing on the axe. As Tom Morello of “Rage Against the Machine” and “Audioslave” has taught everyone, a guitar can make sounds most musically challenged people could never even imagine. The developers have taken this into consideration, as Lammy can add different effects like distortion or echoes to her music.
Of course, this would mean nothing if the soundtrack was bad; what fun is messing around with terrible music? Fortunately, Um Jammer Lammy delivers. The songs aren’t as infectious as those found in Parappa the Rapper, but the “blame” for that can be placed on the genre. Rock, as a rule, isn’t as catchy as Rap. That doesn’t mean Lammy’s tunes won’t stick in your mind. Instead, you’ll spend quite a while playing each stage repeatedly, trying to figure out how to earn the highest score possible with the different guitar skills.
This review makes a few comparisons between Parappa the Rapper and Um Jammer Lammy. That’s the not typically the best way to rate something, but Parappa gave birth this type of game. As a sequel from the same people, Um Jammer Lammy has a lot to live up to. And it does. Being able to say that this follow-up improves on some aspects while maintaining the high quality of others marks it as an instant purchase. This doesn’t even consider all the sweet extras, like playing as Parappa (with different music!) or multiplayer modes (competitive and cooperative). Are you completely hopeless with a guitar, but have an enormous urge to rock out? Leave it to Lammy.
