In this day and age, no matter where you go, you cannot seem to get away from the popularity that is the Spice Girls. As if being on candy, potato chips, TV specials, millions of posters (sometimes bootleg), and a feature film wasn't enough for these pop music singers, now they have set their sights on "arcadia" by releasing Spice World for the PlayStation. I know that millions of Spice Girls fans, many of which are girls 11 years or younger (for which the game is aimed towards) are anticipating this game, only to become greatly disappointed. I'm sorry but this game is probably the worst 'game' I've played all year.
Spice World is a Parappa-style game in which you make a concert performance the best you can make. You start out by choosing your first character (preferably MelC.) and choosing which song you would perform on stage. Mistake No.1: There are only FIVE songs to choose from and some of the most popular aren't in the game. Then you make special remixes for the song you chose, by picking certain 'samples' and stringing them together. Mistake No.2: The samples you are given are too sparse, making the remix sound 'distorted'. Sometimes the best samples are absent.
After you made your remix, you go to the dance studio to learn the dance moves. It's a very simple process that even an infant can learn; no Tomb Raider skills required. Soon after, you go on stage to rehearse your routine, with the option to have every girl dance a different or same rhythm as the others, followed by the ability to act as cameraman to shoot at different angles for a professional look. The entire process lasts one hour, and before you can say 'Girl Power' it's over, leaving you begging for more.
There is another option called Spice Network, a 30min. FMV magazine as you see the girls discuss many topics, such as performing live on stage, starring in movies, meeting world leaders and the like. Most of it you've already seen from news, TV specials and award shows. It really is a shame that the full-motion video is better than the game itself.
In conclusion, It seems that Parappa has sparked a new genre, the 'music' game. There will be many clones in the future, some good, some bad. Spice World ranks as a Parappa clone gone horrifically wrong. No doubt this game might actually sell a million copies based on the license alone, suckering many unsuspecting pre-teen and curious fans alike. I would not recommend this game to anyone, not even the most die-hard Spice Girls fan. (Though people will see it as a collectors item, even if Geri Halliwell is featured in it).