Fuzion Frenzy
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| Developer(s) | Blitz Games |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Release date | NA November 14, 2001 EU March 14, 2002 |
| Genre(s) | Party |
| Mode(s) | Single player, Co-Op Play, Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) ELSPA: 3+ |
Fuzion Frenzy is a launch title for the Microsoft Xbox. At its core, Fuzion Frenzy is a four-player party game featuring 45 different mini-games (not including the titular Fuzion Frenzy). A demo of the game was included with some other launch titles in the US, including Halo, Munch's Oddysee and Amped. The title was among the first to be released as a part of the Xbox Originals program.
A sequel was later released for the Xbox 360, entitled Fuzion Frenzy 2.
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[edit] Gameplay
Up to four players can compete in two different game modes: "Tournament" or "Mini-Game Frenzy". Mini-Game Frenzy is the simpler of the two, involving players selecting individual mini-games while an ongoing tabulation of wins per player is maintained. In contrast, the Tournament mode is the core game mode, where players attempt to earn the highest number of points after playing through two or more play zones.
Tournaments potentially involve six zones, each with its own set of mini-games:
- Coliseum - Rolling Ball and Ice Car minigames.
- Downtown - Fireworks and Music minigames.
- Outlands - Demolition and Tail minigames.
- Military Zone - Pod and Tank minigames.
- Power Station - Hopper and Splat minigames.
- Waterfront - Jetboat and Orb minigames.
During game setup, players choose from one of six personas (the differences are cosmetic only), with extra player slots being filled by computer AI. The number of zones to play through is also selected (2, 4, or 6). The exact zones which are used during play (if fewer than 6) are determined randomly. Unlike other party games such as the Mario Party series or Sonic Shuffle, Fuzion Frenzy has no overarching game board; rather, players proceed from one random mini-game to another, and from zone to zone, in an order determined without player input. The traversal between zones is depicted as a route on a map which never crosses itself, limiting the possible transitions between zones.
In each zone, three random mini-games are played. For mini-games which are team games, players are paired randomly. At the conclusion of each mini-game, players (or teams) are awarded a number of orbs proportional to their final standing (1st through 4th) in the event. These orbs serve both as points and as currency that can be wagered during the "Fuzion Frenzy" portion of the game.
[edit] Fuzion Frenzy events
After every three mini-games, a "Fuzion Frenzy" is initiated, with the winner being declared the overall winner of the zone. Before the Fuzion Frenzy begins, players decide whether to bank their orbs (converting each orb directly into 10 points), or to gamble with their orbs (by putting them into play during the Fuzion Frenzy). Each player must gamble a minimum of three orbs, with the maximum being equal to the number of orbs earned during the previous three mini-games. Gambling can be helpful in attempting to re-take the lead, but is obviously not without risk.
During the Fuzion Frenzy, players attempt to pick up orbs which periodically appear and then deliver them to glowing goals in order to score points. However, a player can only pick up colorless (white) orbs or orbs that match their color. The number of orbs which appear in each player's color is equal to the number wagered. Players can carry more than one orb at once, and delivering more than one orb at a time provides a score bonus. For example, a single orb is worth 10 points, while two orbs are worth 30 points.
While the scoring mechanism encourages players to grab several orbs before visiting a goal, other players can steal orbs by successfully attacking players carrying them. Once a player picks up an orb, anyone can steal it, so a wagered color-coded orb can be lost in this fashion. To add to the chaos, there are various power-ups which periodically appear, providing temporary effects such as invulnerability, speed, or increased offensive power. The different arenas also have unique hazards that are dependent on the theme of each arena. For example, the Power Station stage gets flooded when a participant presses an activation button.
After a certain period of time, the Fuzion Frenzy ends and a winner is determined, based on points earned. These points are added to a player's total, and it is this total which actually determines the winner at the end of the tournament. Thus, it is possible for a player to not place first at the end of the game even after narrowly winning the majority of the Fuzion Frenzy events.
[edit] Reception
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The reception of Fuzion Frenzy in the media was generally positive, with reviewers enjoying the colorful visuals and fast-moving mini-games. While most of the mini-games were well liked, a few were noted as being little more than "push the buttons" activities. Additionally, detractors noted that the title had only limited single-player appeal, requiring multiple players to get the most out of the game. Nonetheless, most agreed that the title was solid fun, even if only as a "rental title" for those who require more depth.
