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Ape Escape: On the Loose

EMAIL PRINT psp

6.8 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 35 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 9 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Genre(s): Action, Platform

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: March 17, 2005

Summary

(Also known as "Ape Escape P" in the UK/EU) Ape Escape: On the Loose provides players the challenge of capturing more than 200 monkeys in eight vibrant worlds spanning across more than 20 levels in order to prevent them from changing history! When a trouble-making monkey named Specter gets hold of the Professor's Peak Point Helmet, chaos ensues. The powerful device, which can increase a human's intelligence, has a disastrous effect on Specter, transforming him from a sweet, mischievous monkey to a power-hungry monster who has his heart set on ruling the world. The power of the helmet enabled Specter to break free from his cage while also allowing him to free hundreds of other monkeys at the zoo. Specter and the monkeys escape to a nearby laboratory where the Professor, who created the Peak Point Helmet, is working on his latest invention, a time machine. Taking control of the laboratory, Specter and the other monkeys use the time machine to escape into the past. The adventure begins when the player takes on the role of a brave young boy named Spike, a friend of the Professor. Spike's mission is to pursue Specter and the monkeys who have fled to the past in order to prevent them from changing history and taking over the world. [SCEA]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: GameSpot Hands-On GameSpy Preview IGN Hands-On Official Game Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

BonusStage

Pick it up for the kids, but don’t be surprised if you end up playing it yourself (paranoia or not).

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Even with the adapted controls, Ape Escape: On The Loose is a splendid version of the enjoyable original.

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Next Level Gaming

It has all of the charm that the original had to offer with the portability of the PSP.

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Play Magazine

Of all the launch titles, while it may be the most basic visually, I find Ape Escape the most entertaining. Once a great game, always a great game. [May 2005, p.68]

PGNx Media

The audio is equally delightful. The cheerful music complements the jovial sound effects very well. The voice acting is purposely sharp, though it is hardly annoying.

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Da Gameboyz

With vibrant colours, decent sound and a new control scheme for the PSP, this portable version of this series will keep gamers busy for awhile.

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Game Over Online

Hardcore fans will probably snap this game up immediately, and if you’ve never played an Ape Escape title, this is a good place to catch up on the platforming that other gamers have enjoyed for years. However, you’ll have to take part of that with a spoonful of salt, because some of the magic just hasn’t crossed over from the console version to the portable rendition.

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GameZone

Had the controls been tightened and the camera more precise, we would have been looking at portable platform gaming at its finest, but this is still fun enough to keep fans of the series happy.

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GameSpot

The finely tuned control that made the first game such a hit seems to have been lost in translation, but the game still has considerable charm.

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Game Chronicles

The bright colors and cheery graphics design make this platform title as much fun to look at as it is to play.

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Console Gameworld

The controls were not perfectly translated to the PSP, and the loading times are just too much of an annoyance. These factors make the game much less appealing than it otherwise would be.

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GameSpy

Although it has a few noticeable flaws, there's nothing so bad that game stops being a lot of fun to play. At worst, it just gets a little frustrating at times.

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GamePro

While it was a decent games for the PSOne, especially popular with the kiddies, it seems a waste of the PSP.

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IGN

Fans of the series will probably miss the second analog stick, but having gadgets mapped to the PSP's face buttons works well, just not as well as before, and definitely not as intuitive.

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PSX Nation

It also carries the baggage of dated graphics, cumbersome controls and scavenger hunt mentality that was all the rage (get it?) back in 1999.

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DarkStation

But just be prepared for some frustrating controls and a somewhat unforgiving camera.

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Extreme Gamer

The coolest thing about Ape Escape besides capturing monkeys with lights on their heads is all the gadgets. They really make this one fun to play and gives you reason to revisit old levels just to run around with a new gadget.

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GameBiz

The game is long enough to keep most fans pleased, with the small multiplayer mode adding some additional lifespan if you have a friend who also owns a copy of the game.

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Armchair Empire

Revisiting the levels to mop up adds some replay value to the otherwise rather short game.

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VGPub

If you have the original Ape Escape, stick with that.

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Game Informer

Merely a slightly annoying, if charming, run-of-the-mill platformer. [June 2005, p.136]

TotalPlayStation

Knowing that this would otherwise be a great portable platforming, its sad to see Ape Escape: On the Loose plagued by poor camera and controls and suffer in quality as a result. The charm and enjoyment is all here if you can tolerate the pesky technical difficulties.

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PSM Magazine

The PSP has no right analog stick - and this is the fundamental problem with this game. [May 2005, p.82]

Yahoo! Games

Even if you do have a shiny new PSP to play with, you're better off picking up a copy of the original Ape Escape for the PlayStation. It'll control better, and be less than half the price.

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GamerFeed

The only major problem with Ape Escape is it doesn't really offer a thrilling gameplay experience. Much like the original, it lacks that all important "wow" factor.

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Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

Hideo Kojima might love it, but first-time monkey-wranglers will wonder what all the fuss is about. The original games are better. [Apr 2006, p.98]

Edge Magazine

Though it’s regrettable that Sony opted for a retrofit rather than a rebirth, and while series stalwarts might initially balk at controls that fit awkwardly, given a chance the cat-and-mouse charm shines through, and make On The Loose a fine first stab at a new wave of portable platforming. [May 2005, p.93]

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Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

I eked a few enjoyable play sessions out of One the Loose, but the camera-control difficulties prompted me to ditch it for "Lumines." [June 2005, p.101]

games(TM)

The core game is as playable and entertaining as any platform game to have been released since the original Ape Escape, and despite control issues there’s still a whole lot of monkey’s to be caught and a whole lot of fun to be had doing it. [June 2005, p.102]

Gaming Age

The game looks and feels somewhat antiquated and the camera can be frustrating at times, but there’s enough good to keep you busy for a number of hours… at least until SCEA announces a Sly Cooper, Ratchet & Clank or Jak for the PSP.

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Game Revolution

While the puzzles and level design are as solid as any handheld platformer out there, the crazy camera, imprecise control and gorilla-sized load times keep his old silverback from evolving.

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1UP

Manages to be solid, yet terribly underwhelming, and ultimately poorly-designed for its intended platform.

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Gamestyle

Visually this is the most disappointing PSP title that Gamestyle has experienced to date.

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G4 TV

It's great to see Sony still supporting this excellent franchise, but the PSP incarnation of Ape Escape does the series more harm than good.

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PALGN

According to Sony, stripping a game of it's most distinguished component is a sure way to achieve success.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.8 (out of 10) based on 9 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Zoe M. gave it a6:
I think that this game is fun and can get addicting although the the camera and bad controlling makes the gae less enjoyable and annoying. The graphics are average and the sound really fits into the game but you find you put it on mute after a while as it gets annoying.

Lorben gave it a5:
After playing both the PS1 and PSP version of this game, it makes it pretty obvious it was designed with two analog sticks in mind. It’s not exactly a bad game, but it is a bad port.

Patrick F. gave it a7:
The PSX version i must say was more fun. I thought it was a new storyline but it isnt. The inverted slingshot controls etc drive me nuts as well as the terrible camera control. Catching and walking is fine in my mind.

Christian C. gave it a4:
When I had this game I thought it will be awsome but I guess it turned out kind of dumb because ill you do is capture monkeys and more monkeys with new gear that aint fun and i thought the memory stick was useless because you can turn it off and back to ur data and i know the ending even though i didnt pass it the monkeys are captured and everything safe and sound no more drive by's no more shooting monkeys and more bananas lol!!!

Daltton S. gave it an8:
This game hs good graphics go animation its defintely a good game!

Matt W. gave it a10:
Had the game for the playstation and it was awesome but the PSP has slightly changed the controls and was definitely for the better..Id say if you liked it for PS1 or just like adventure games this a challenging must have game for your collection.

Blake T. gave it a4:
I never played the platform version, but if it is anything like the PSP version, it is a waste of money. The game might be ok if the controls were not so terrible. The analog stick control is awful. Plus, I spend more time repositioning the camera than actually playing the stupid game. The music is boring and never changes. Wait for this one to hit the bargain bin -which should be pretty soon.

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Ape Escape: On the Loose

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