P.N.03

The Good
This game is a solid arcade-style shooter set in cool, slick, sci-fi environments. It's short on story for a reason - it's just a lady who loves dancin' to techno beats and blowin' up robots! Who needs a story? You run around, adapt to the evolving AI, blast robots, and - congratulations! - go to the next level of running around and adapting to the evolving AI and blasting robots. It's the kind of heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping action that made such classics as Berzerk and Galaxian/Galaga and Robotron 2084 and countless others into, well, classics! Add the nice graphics power of the GameCube with its beautifully cold environments and the lovely toe-tappin' heroine, and you've got a, well, classic!

The most common gripe about PN03 is repetitiveness. Yes, it is repetitive, but not in a bad way. When you get into a room that is familiar in layout, you think "ah! I've been here before... I know exactly what to do!"... and then something new happens! The repetition of rooms is there to make you hone your skills, not to be cheap. Need I say it again? It's just a fun shooter! Just shoot and have fun!

The Bad
I can't really think of too much to say about the game that is negative. I guess the control scheme can be a bit stiff at first; the heroine can't do some of the things you sometimes want her to do. But it all boils down to a more realistic and adaptive experience than maybe we're used to. She can't jump 19 feet in the air to avoid certain death? Oh well. Can you?

The Bottom Line
PN03 is probably my favorite GameCube title. Its replay value is tremendous because it is just such a simple game. Why go back to it? Because it's fun! Not because you completed the game but missed picking up the Magic Fork that enables you to speak with Old Man #18 who may or may not give you the Mystic Scroll of Phlagrathon, which leads you on a useless side quest whose only purpose is to enhance your gallery of Heroic Bric-A-Brac, which can then be transferred to your Gameboy version of the same game so you can, what, view it on your Gameboy? The reason you come back to PN03 is because it's FUN! Not because it's a chore.

Blast robots! Woohoo!

The Good
The soundtrack isn't bad. The controls are pretty complex, but the overall gameplay is easy. I like how you can use the level design to hide from enemy attacks.

The Bad
The button combos for some moves could be simpler. The number of enemy's in a room and speed at which the fire could be less and slower. The controls are a little sluggish.

The Bottom Line
A good game for adventurous people. If you like an easy game, don't pick this one.

The Good
The game's level design was good, as were some of the bosses. The addition of the combo moves was a great feature, as was most of the "dancing" in the game. The soundtrack rocked, and is one of the few video game soundtracks I love to listen to. Then, there is Vanessa Z. Schneider herself...but you know you didn't buy the game just to check her out...

The Bad
The story (if you want to call it one) is very lacking. Shinji Mikami hints at something more behind the term "Product Number Three", especially with the ending. A more detailed storyline, as well as more cutscenes to unfold the story, would of made this game better.

The Bottom Line
Product Number Three (P.N.03), was originally part of the now famous (or infamous) Capcom 5, which was unveiled in November 2002. Out of the five games, P.N.03 bombed, Dead Phoenix was cancelled, and Viewtiful Joe was able to spawn a sequel. Killer 7 and Resident Evil 4 are still in production hell back at Capcom. As for P.N.03 itself, while the game was rejected by the FPS game playing masses, it has the potential of becoming a cult hit. The idea behind P.N.03 is great, although by the end of it all, one would wish Shinji Mikami could written a more detailed storyline for it. A sequel would be nice to see, but we'll probably have a better chance in seeing Vanessa in a "Street Fighter vs. Failed Capcom Video Game Characters" game...