Whiplash - PS2

Comedy in video games is something we've seen a lot more of in the noughties. Games such as Jak and Daxter seem to pull off funny characters effortlessly. But developers need to be careful when using this approach, because if a character loses his comedic charm, the experience as a whole can become, well, annoying. Crystal Dynamics' Whiplash, however, is a fun adventure title that pits players as two of the most unlikely heroes in video game history. It doesn't take itself too seriously - despite the central theme of the mistreatment of animals - and it's a good laugh for the non-sensitive types out there.

The aptly named Whiplash tells the tale of two runaway lab experiments - a weasel and a rabbit - that go by the names Spanx and Redmond respectively. Fed up with endless tests and animal torment, the two escapees, who just happen to be chained together, set out on a mission to bring down the laboratory and its crazed leader.

That's the premise, but like we mentioned before, it's a light-hearted adventure that has been injected with generous levels of humour. Lacking in weapons of any kind, your only means of attack will come through rabbit Redmond. Primarily, you will take control of mute weasel Spanx who literally swings and throws a very talkative (and amusing) Redmond all over the shop in order to do some serious damage and progress through the game's vast levels. You can use him to pummel those nasty humans into the ground, and you can even use him as a grappling hook to swing from ledge to ledge through Whiplash's platform areas.

It's a funny adventure with a serious underlying message. Whiplash is no ordinay 3D platformer; this game made us laugh out loud at times, and the effort you'll put into saving these super furry animals will surprise you. Lotsa fun, oh yes! more