This game is really frustrating to rate but not nearly as frustrating as this game itself. On the one hand, this is a really creative way to revamp this arcade classic which sure enough successfully spawned like 10 other games (two of which I grew up with on the GameCube, Frogger Beyond and Ancient Shadow); on the other hand, this is a really flawed start.
First and foremost, the camera is way too zoomed in in this game, which makes everything feel claustrophobic and makes exploration feel very dangerous, especially with the narrow lives count and time limit that each level gives you. That, coupled with Frogger's limited movement options (compared to in later installments) means that Frogger is going to be dying A LOT, with most of the time not even being the player's fault.
Unless you are a masochist, the only way one should even attempt to 100% this game is utilizing the infinite lives "cheat" in the pause menu. I put "cheat" in scare quotes because infinite lives merely levels the playing field rather than give you an unfair advantage. Plus, you're still going to spend a lot of time getting through each level with it.
As for the levels themselves, to end on a more positive note, I have to admit that a lot of the different zones and mechanics within them are surprisingly well done for a first installment, the visuals and the soundtrack diverse to each zone is a welcome treat and playing through them makes a 100% run worth it. So long as you utilize the infinite lives "cheat" so you can actually spend some time on each level rather being thrown back into the main menu every two minutes.
First and foremost, the camera is way too zoomed in in this game, which makes everything feel claustrophobic and makes exploration feel very dangerous, especially with the narrow lives count and time limit that each level gives you. That, coupled with Frogger's limited movement options (compared to in later installments) means that Frogger is going to be dying A LOT, with most of the time not even being the player's fault.
Unless you are a masochist, the only way one should even attempt to 100% this game is utilizing the infinite lives "cheat" in the pause menu. I put "cheat" in scare quotes because infinite lives merely levels the playing field rather than give you an unfair advantage. Plus, you're still going to spend a lot of time getting through each level with it.
As for the levels themselves, to end on a more positive note, I have to admit that a lot of the different zones and mechanics within them are surprisingly well done for a first installment, the visuals and the soundtrack diverse to each zone is a welcome treat and playing through them makes a 100% run worth it. So long as you utilize the infinite lives "cheat" so you can actually spend some time on each level rather being thrown back into the main menu every two minutes.