Whacked! (don't forget the exclamation point) is the one game the Xbox really needs. Not only will it's easy yet effective control scheme and pick-up-and-play ability lure casual gamers but it's sheer addictive gameplay can also attract the best of them.

Gameplay:
This game has a simple premise that has been done before. You beat up fellow players with various weapons across multiple maps while using bizarre characters. However, it is the way they manage to do it that manages to make Whacked! so enjoyable.

The game consists of 10 maps and over 25 weapons. You choose from one of several crazy characters in which you do battle against your opponents in one of several modes. They have the typical battle mode where you can play single player, spilt-screen or with Xbox Link capabilities in various gameplay types such as dodge ball, death match, collect the stars and many others. All of these manage to be really fun and addicting. Hours will pass without you realizing it.

Then they have a Game Show mode. This is the equivalent to a single player campaign. Here you choose a character and partake in a whacky game show with a bizarre host named Van Tastic for a mystery prize. The prize varies for each contestant as you progress and you choose stages throughout by going through mystery doors. Characters, weapons and other things are capable of being unlocked through this mode.

While fun the first time through, in order to unlock everything, it forces you to play through again with each character and I found once was enough. That doesn't matter too much though because this game was made with one main purpose...online play. That leads me to my next point...

Then they have the heart of Whacked!, the thing it was made for...online play through Xbox Live. While it is a somewhat fun single player game through the Game Show mode, this game was obviously created with online multiplayer online. Battle with 8 friends in all out war. It flows well with no lag. The time will pass very quickly without you realizing it. It is in one word, addicting. There in nothing like being a whacked out (no pun intended) character and trash talking to others while having a magnet on your head that makes all their missiles come directly at you. Great times...

With all those modes, the one thing that makes the game stand out above other party games excluding the online play is the humor. This game WILL make you laugh. Everything from the cut scenes and commercials in Game Show mode to the comments the characters make during the game (there's nothing like hearing a little girl scream out swears with multiple bleeps) are absolutely hilarious.

The easy control scheme is very effective. 'A' and 'Y' are to jump and 'B' and 'X' are to attack. The two shoulder buttons are to sidestep and either the analog joystick or the D-Pad allow you to move. Like I said...easy BUT it's very effective and makes it fun.

Graphics:
Simply put...very well done. The animations are well done, the characters are really imaginative and well animated and the levels are well designed. There is no problem with frame rate as it runs very smooth. I know cut scenes shouldn't apply to graphics as they are not real time but they are a real treat to look at. The graphics suit what this game is attempting to be perfectly; a whacky, hilarious party game.

Sound:
Everything is very close to perfect. The character comments are hilarious and sound great. The announcer never gets annoying and is really funny. Van Tastic...well...he's FANtastic. The sound effects are well done (nothing like the sound of splats in online play) and the music is exactly what you'd expect in a game like this. Very well done.

Longevity:
You'll WANT to play more. At first with this game I didn't really 'get it'. I started with the demo and once I got online with it, time flew by and I didn't want to stop. I wanted to keep playing. SO I went and bought the full version and that thirst for online battles grows even more. Buy this game and you'll crave online play. Buy Xbox Live and you'll crave free time away from your Xbox...it will own you...

Ok...it's not THAT addictive but you get the idea...if you have Live, and you should, this game is mega addictive.

Round Up:
Overall, I rate it 8.5/10 And it deserves every point. I would of liked an option for future downloads where you can get new characters, etc. and maybe they have that but I didn't notice it. This game is great fun. An easy control scheme that's very effective and the "whacked out" Whacked! humor make it a great buy! Just make sure you're hooked up for Xbox Live...

Pros:

• Addicitive online action
  
• Crazy and amusing characters
  
• Some good level design
  
• Dodgeball mode
  

  Cons:
  

  • Single player fun the first time through
    
  • Some bad level design
    
  • Those damned chickens