GAME CLEAR No. 194 -- Space Channel 5: Part 2

Space Channel 5: Part 2 [HD] (2011, Multiplatform)

HD port of: Space Channel 5: Part 2 (2002, Dreamcast/PS2)
Original Developer: United Game Artists
Original Publisher: SEGA
Port Developer: SEGA Studio China
Port Publisher: SEGA
Clear Version: PS3
Clear Platform: PS3
Clear Date: 10/16/24

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Why should I care?
SEGA’s repeat-after-me stroke of rhythm genius only got better when iterated upon.

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ChuChu Rockin'

About a decade ago, I got a seconhand Dreamcast for myself so I could explore its vaunted library. Space Channel 5 was one of the first games I got for it, and I loved it! Somehow I neglected to play its sequel for ages, but I’ve finally made that right and joyfully discovered an even better game.

Space Channel 5 (the series) follows space future field reporter Ulala as she wins dance battles against the forces of evil to save the galaxy, all while making sure to keep ratings high for her demanding bosses. In the first game, her antagonists were the alien Morolians; in Part 2 it’s the Rhythm Rogues and their mysterious boss Purge.

The gameplay remains virtually unchanged from the first game: it plays basically like the game Simon. Whenever you encounter an enemy, they will do a little dance while shouting out directions or “Chu!” or “Hey!”. The directions correspond to d-pad directions, while “Chu!” and “Hey!” correspond to face buttons. You must simply input the commands in order and in time with the music in order to defeat them and save whatever group is being held hostage in a given stage. Keep dancing to the beat, and your ratings will go up. Fail too often, and you’ll eventually get pulled off the air and be forced to try again.

I find the formula simply perfect. The challenge is tuned perfectly — it’s tough enough to keep things interesting but easy enough to always feel achievable. You gotta have a little rhythm, though. I often found myself tapping my foot to try to time things as well as possible, especially when it did the occasional time signature change.

It’s also totally fine that they didn’t change the gameplay from the first game. The key difference is they gave it more room to breathe. Part 2 is roughly twice as long as the very brisk Space Channel 5, and that feels just right. It’s long enough to create some stakes for the silly story and introduce some fun characters while not outstaying the welcome of game that is ultimately rather mechanically simple. The arcadey gameplay means repeated playthroughs for perfection are a potentially compelling option for people into that sort of thing, but less devoted fans will not feel the game overstays its welcome. A new endurance mode also means particularly devoted players can test their dancing chops ad nauseam without the encumbrance of cutscenes and story trappings.

Of course, a great rhythm engine would mean little without a great soundtrack, and Space Channel 5: Part 2 absolutely delivers on that front. Its main theme is an absolute bop, and its musical stylings strongly complement its Jetsons-esque atomic-future aesthetic.

As inclined as I am to recommend this lovely, creative, and unique game wholeheartedly and without reservation, I do think it’s worth mentioning that it heavily features longtime SEGA collaborator Michael Jackson in the role of fellow Space Channel 5 anchor Space Michael. Those credulous to the serious allegations against him may rightfully be dissuaded from a piece of media he features so heavily in, as compared to his brief cameo in the first game. Certainly the years have made me more inclined to believe he is guilty of at least some of the things he is accused of based on the information available to me. It’s a true shame in a million more significant ways than this, of course, but it does make Space Channel 5: Part 2 more difficult to fully enjoy and/or endorse. Proceed with that knowledge however you wish.