Pandemonium
Join two kindred spirits, Fargus the Jester and Nikki the acrobat in a fantastic 3D world of magic and mystery as they bounce, tumble and jump through 18 massive and diverse levels in search of the Wishing Engine!Key Features:Fast-paced 3D platform action in a lush, texture-mapped environment.
Pandemonium is a platformer, classic and singleplayer game
developed by Crystal Dynamics
and published by Square Enix.
Released on October 08th 2013 is available in English only on Windows.
It has received 318 reviews of which 210 were positive and 108 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.3 out of 10. š
The game is currently priced at 0.83ā¬ on Steam and has a 86% discount.
The Steam community has classified Pandemonium into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
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Requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows XP / Windows Vista / Windows 7
- Processor: 1.8 GHz Processor
- Memory: 512 MB RAM
- Graphics: 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 9
- DirectX: Version 9.0
- Storage: 1 GB available space
Reviews
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Pandemonium ā A Nostalgic Whirlwind of 2.5D Platforming! Game Title: Pandemonium Developer/Publisher: Crystal Dynamics / Square Enix Release Date: October 31, 1996 Platforms: PlayStation, Sega Saturn, PC, and later N-Gage Introduction ā Dancing Down Memory Lane Greetings from HowlStrom, where I, Kiba Snowpaw, the alpha ice wolf of gaming lore, spin tales of pixelated pasts and mechanical marvels. Pandemonium is a game that, much like a winter storm, swirls with charm, chaos, and some sharp edges. While this gem from the PS1 era wasnāt my go-to title, it was a beloved favorite for my friend Shilka, and its nostalgic pull has kept it in my collection to this day. This review dives deep into the frosty brilliance and occasional hiccups of this whimsical platformer. If youāre ready to revisit the whimsical magic of the 90s, then buckle up! Basic Plot Summary ā Mischief and Magic Pandemonium follows Nikki, an ambitious acrobat, and Fargus, a zany jester, on their journey to undo the chaos caused by a spell gone wrong. After summoning a monstrous entity that devours their village, they embark on a quest to find the Wishing Engineāa mythical artifact capable of rewriting reality. Itās a lighthearted tale of mischief, adventure, and redemption, sprinkled with humor and fantastical elements. While the story doesnāt dive into deep emotional waters, it sets the stage for a playful romp through diverse, magical landscapes. Originality ā A Unique Spin on 2.5D Pandemonium blends traditional platforming mechanics with 2.5D visuals, offering a mix of side-scrolling action and depth in level design. It stood out in the crowded platforming market of the 90s by offering dynamic camera angles and environmental depth that felt innovative for its time. While it borrows elements from its contemporaries like Crash Bandicoot and Sonic, Pandemoniumās quirky tone and character transformations (turning into a rhino or dragon!) set it apart as a unique and memorable experience. Studio Spotlight ā Crystal Dynamicsā Experimental Era Crystal Dynamics, known for its later success with the Tomb Raider series, was in its experimental phase during the 90s. Pandemonium was one of their earlier attempts to break into the platforming genre, showcasing their knack for blending humor, vibrant visuals, and engaging gameplay. While the studio has since evolved into a powerhouse of action-adventure games, Pandemonium remains a testament to their willingness to push boundaries and take creative risks. Analysis ā Breaking Down the Magic 1. Core Mechanics: At its heart, Pandemonium is a fast-paced platformer that challenges players with precise jumps, enemy encounters, and secret-filled levels. The double jump mechanic, exclusive to Nikki, adds a layer of strategy to character selection, while Fargusās cartwheel attack offers a unique way to tackle enemies. 2. Level Design: The gameās 18 levels are vibrant and varied, ranging from sprawling forests to ominous castles. Each stage is packed with hazards, collectibles, and hidden pathways, rewarding exploration and skillful play. 3. Power-Ups and Transformations: Pandemoniumās transformationsālike becoming a fire-breathing dragonāadd a delightful twist to gameplay. Power-ups, such as fire or ice projectiles, provide temporary advantages, adding a layer of strategy to each encounter. 4. Challenges: While the game is fun, itās unforgiving. Limited lives, a lack of mid-level saves, and tricky enemy placement can frustrate modern players. The reliance on a password system for progression feels outdated, especially compared to other games from the same era. Character Development ā Quirky Companions Nikki: The nimble acrobat serves as the gameās balanced option, with her double jump proving invaluable in tricky platforming sections. Her determination and spunky personality make her a relatable and enjoyable protagonist. Fargus: The comic relief of the duo, Fargusās zany antics and melee-focused playstyle offer a more chaotic approach to gameplay. His whimsical charm adds humor to the adventure. While character arcs are minimal, their distinct abilities and personalities enhance the gameās replayability and charm. Impact ā A Platforming Time Capsule Pandemonium may not have reached the iconic status of Mario or Sonic, but it left a lasting impression on fans of the genre. Its innovative use of 2.5D visuals and quirky tone helped carve out a niche in the crowded platforming market of the 90s. While its influence waned in the face of more polished successors, Pandemonium remains a nostalgic treasure for those who experienced its magic firsthand. Praise and Critique ā The Frosty Truth What I Loved: [*] Stunning 2.5D visuals that still hold nostalgic charm. [*] Unique character abilities that encourage experimentation. [*] Creative level design with plenty of secrets to uncover. [*] Quirky humor and lighthearted story. What Frosted My Fur: [*] Frustrating difficulty spikes and trial-and-error gameplay. [*] Outdated password system instead of save functionality. [*] Occasional control quirks, especially with double jumps. [*] A lack of modern polish in the Steam version. Personal Opinion ā A Frosty Yet Fun Flashback As a frosty connoisseur of platformers, Pandemonium isnāt my typical pick, but itās undeniably a delightful slice of gaming history. Its whimsical charm and innovative design make it worth revisiting, even if its punishing difficulty and dated mechanics occasionally sap the fun. Enjoyment Level: 7/10 ā Nostalgic and quirky, but not without its challenges. Hate Level: 3/10 ā Mostly minor frustrations with controls and difficulty. Comparison ā How It Stands Against the Pack While Pandemoniumās 2.5D platforming was innovative, it lacks the refinement of titles like Crash Bandicoot or Rayman. Compared to modern platformers, its design feels dated, but its charm and creativity keep it from being overshadowed entirely. Conclusion ā A Classic Worth Revisiting Pandemonium is a quirky gem that captures the spirit of 90s platforming. While its mechanics and design show their age, its charm and creativity shine through, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre. Whether youāre chasing nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, Pandemonium is a snowy blast from the past. Verdict: 8/10 ā A frosty relic that warms the heart of platformer fans. š¾
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This game really made a weight coil around my soul. Truly a 1 in 350 experience. This game is destined to ascend, with no unnecessary Frills, high AOE damage output, an E ability that does 10000 damage and accurate hitboxes. Bravo, Mewishm8x.
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Ooof. For one, the game barely works on modern systems. The game always freeze crash when I press ESC, so I have to quit it by minimizing it each time. The performance is inconsistent as well, levels start with mega speed, but after a second they normalise. But the worst offender is its controls. Keyboard layout seems random at best and with controller it is rather awful, but playable. And I could not change the controls even with 3rd party programs involved. If all that wasn't enough, the double jump does not work half the time which often lead to my death. It was the very least painful at times. Now about the game itself. It is painfully unbalanced. Pretty much objectively. Two levels in a row may feature common checkpoints and generous heart drops of 10 or so all in plain sight as well as a few power-ups encountered along thw way. Then the next two levels may have only one or two checkpoints and no hearts and no power-ups in plain sight at all throughout the entirely of those two levels... And then, the following level or two may be very easy and generous with pick-ups again. The game gets super hard in the end, so I was pretty much forced to replay some levels and get all of the health upgrades, cause even with them I had a very rough time. So make sure you get all of the health upgrades. But the worst thing is probably the camera. It is way too close to the character and you move way too fast and simply can't react to the following obstacles or enemies fast enough, so the game for the most part is try, die and repeat until you memorise the enemy and trap placements. Another strange thing is that you need not 100, but 300 collectable coins to get an extra life... It is an insane amount and most certainly barely worth the trouble. Because of this you begin to stop caring about the coins and only focus on power-ups. Also, it is a very old video game and it uses passwords for saves. So make sure you write them off after every level. But all the nuisances aside, the gameplay is very fun. The game sometimes pulls some fantastic 2.5D level design layouts. Secret hunting can be exciting and platforming is pretty good. 7/10
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I see a lot of reviews are stating incorrect information. Contrary to what some people indicate, the game does run perfectly fun on Windows 11. I tried it on both a desktop and a laptop. Both worked fine. Contrary to what some people indicate, this is not a port or an emulation of the PS1 version: this is instead the native PC version, that uses a Glide wrapper so that we can use the 3DFX version. Contrary to what some people indicate, you can choose your resolution (I am playing at 2560x1440) and the refresh rate (I use 120 Hz): all you have to do is go to the game folder and launch "nglide_config.exe" which allows you to choose the resolution, refresh rate and V-Sync.
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Pandemonium, the 1996 2.5 platformer, is a hidden gem that holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers, including myself. Playing it as a kid, I was filled with nostalgia when I revisited this classic title. The game's direct port from the PC version. The developers focused solely on making the game compatible with newer machines, neglecting to make any necessary improvements. The absence of basic features such as a pause function or customizable controls is disappointing. They kept even the password system! Nevertheless, these shortcomings are manageable, especially considering the game's age. Pandemonium's true strength lies in its authentic '90s platforming experience. The camera can be a challenge to navigate, and unavoidable damages may frustrate players at times. However, the game's unique vibe, low-poly visuals, and quirky locations and enemies make it a true standout. The psychedelic art style transports players back in time, evoking a sense of nostalgia that is hard to resist. One aspect of Pandemonium that deserves special mention is its unbelievably good soundtrack. The music perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience. The catchy tunes will reverberate in your mind long after you've put down the controller. And the sound design in general is great. This game has the most satisfying sound ever created for collecting coins! Gameplay in Pandemonium is fast-paced and frenetic. You'll find yourself running through compact screens, unable to see what awaits you just fractions of a second ahead. Hidden enemies and unavoidable obstacles can sometimes lead to frustrations, and there's no denying that the game can be unfair. However, the allure of the game is so strong that you'll find yourself compelled to keep playing. The ability to transform into various animals with unique abilities adds an extra layer of excitement, just as it did when we first experienced it as kids. In conclusion, Pandemonium may not have received the polish it deserved in this direct port, but it remains a shining example of '90s platforming goodness. Its flaws are forgivable considering its age, and the game's nostalgic charm will transport you back to a simpler time. The funky visuals, unforgettable soundtrack, and frenzied gameplay make it a must-play for fans of the genre, both old and new. Embrace the quirks, endure the challenges, and indulge in the magic of Pandemonium.
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Last Updates
| Steam data | 18 November 2024 22:18 |
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| SteamSpy data | 18 December 2024 11:34 |
| Steam price | 24 December 2024 12:44 |
| Steam reviews | 22 December 2024 21:54 |
Online players
2
Developer
Crystal Dynamics
Publisher
Square Enix
Release
08 Oct 2013
Platforms