Beach Spikers

Beach Spikers is Sega's first volleyball game.  Previously released in [some] arcades, this game garnered praise for its visual prowess, easy-to-learn controls and its high amount of replay value.  Following the tradition set by Super Monkey Ball, Beach Spikers has been ported to the GameCube.  It's exclusive to that console, and Sega has no plans to ever bring it to the Xbox or PlayStation 2.  That right there makes it a little more appealing, but exclusivity alone is not enough to make a game worth checking out.

Beach Spikers uses simple play mechanics that anyone can learn in a couple of minutes.  Even those who don't play games often will have little to zero trouble figuring out how to serve, respond and attack.  Only two buttons are functional (A and B), which is good and bad in many ways.  Like I said, it makes easy for everyone to play.  But at the same time, it also limits the amount of depth that a game can have.  For a simple, 3D Pong-like arcade game, the entertainment value is considerable.  I wouldn't call Beach Spikers a party game, but it is definitely something that you and a group of friends (both male and female) will enjoy.

A couple of new modes have been added, but the main mode is taken directly from the arcade version.  Here you have full control over both characters (the game automatically switches your control to the character that is closest to the ball).  Whether you've played volleyball in real life or not, I'm sure that you know what the main goal is: don't let the ball fall on your side of the net!  This is where the game really differs from Virtua Tennis.  As you hit the ball back and forth, the game sets you up for an attack, which is a fast shot that is intended to fly right past your opponents and land on the sand.  There are three different attack types -- Spike, Feint shot and Spike at blocker's hands, the latter of which is performed by pressing A and B simultaneously.  The same button formula is used for serving, tossing and receiving.

Because of the kind of game that this is, the replay value is not overly high for the single-player modes.  The World Tour mode is more frustrating than it is fun.  The increased challenge is welcome, but the ridiculous computer-controlled teammate is not welcome at all.  Unlike the arcade mode, World Tour gives you power over ONE player!  The computer-controlled player is influenced by the game's artificial intelligence, which is purposely programmed very low at first, to prevent you from beating the game too quickly.  I like that part.  But I don't like the overwhelming feeling that comes along with it.  The ball could be right in front of her face, and she'll just stand there and let it fall in the sand.  This makes you want to run in front of her and hit the ball, but it's impossible to do that forever.  This is supposed to be a game of teamwork, yet it feels like you're the one doing it all.  I would have rather had a more complex arcade mode than this.

You can praise, encourage or reprimand your partner, but after watching her screw up several times in a row, all you'll want to do is quit.  The teamwork percentage starts at 50%, and to heighten it, you must perform well.  Otherwise, praising her will only make her mad, since she will think you are lying about the good job she supposedly did (which you are).  Then the teamwork percentage will drop.  Encouragement does nothing at first, and if you yell at her, that'll make things even worse!

All of this is long forgotten when you combine this game with four controllers and three (or more) friends.

As the first volleyball game released for the GameCube, Sega has done a good job of recreating the look and feel of the sport, without making it too difficult for casual gamers to play.  I'm not sure who the target audience is, but I would have to say that casual female gamers are the ones who will enjoy it the most.  That's not to say that men won't have fun with it, too, but most men are fickle, especially the hardcore players.  Women tend to pick a game, or a group of games, and stick with them for a very long time.  My sister has been playing Tetris for more than a decade and I doubt she'll ever stop!  But that game can be enjoyed whether your friends are over or not.  If you want a party game that is strictly for you and your friends (or strangers, if you don't mind having them in your house), Beach Spikers is a good choice.

Gameplay: 7.5
The multiplayer and arcade modes are terrific, but the World Tour mode leaves a lot to be desired.

Graphics: 9 
Beach Spikers features some of the most beautiful lighting that I have ever seen.  The characters are gorgeous, and the real-time sand (which is influenced by your movement) is really, really impressive.

Sound: 7
I was pretty surprised by how good the sound is in this game.  The music is quiet, but enjoyable, and the sound effects work well.  The only thing I don't like is the announcer, who constantly compliments you for performing well (it get annoying after a short while).

Difficulty: Medium
You could breeze through the Normal and Easy difficulty levels in less than a half an hour, but the Hard and Very Hard difficulty levels are pretty challenging.

Concept: 7

Multiplayer: 8
Beach Spikers is one of the best multiplayer sports games I've played on the 'Cube.

Overall: 7.7
If you have a lot of friends, you'll be pleased with Beach Spikers.