Snoopy vs. the Red Baron (Sony PlayStation 2, 2006)

Gameplay: 7.9
The controls are the number-one reason for the game’s success, but don’t let that cause you to overlook the impact of great world and mission design. Snoopy succeeds in those categories as well, with a few stumbles along the way. The game is exciting from start to finish, but it isn’t overly long, nor is it completely free of repetition.

Graphics: 6.9
A few cool effects here and there. Explosions are colorful, but not too stunning in their semi-dated, semi-cel-shaded form.

Sound: 6.9
This is one of Snoopy’s most dynamic soundtracks yet. It’s got explosions, gunfire, voice-overs, and an orchestral soundtrack. In the game world, however, these features are not at all “dynamic.”

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Additional challenges are available to those who finish the game too quickly. Players who are just trying to get to the end won’t find Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron to be that difficult.

Concept: 7
Snoopy has never had a game like this before, but there have been other aerial combat games with this style of play.

Multiplayer: 7
Split-screen dogfights for two.

Overall: 7.7
A light-hearted and entertaining aerial combat adventure. Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron soars above and beyond most other flight games, kid-targeted or not.

Within that first five minutes of play I discovered and nearly mastered the game's wonderful flight controls. Within the first 20 minutes I had dodged enemy fire from land, air, and sea. Despite the unlikely odds, I turned the tide and won the battle by retaliating with an amusing Woodstock-guided bomb. Woodstock rides the bomb to its destination. The little yellow bird is temporarily under the player's control, allowing you to send the bomb to virtually any location.

By the end of the first hour I had destroyed blimps, escorted comrades to safety, and witnessed several computer-generated sequences – all of which feature the cast of Peanuts and were created specifically for this game.

And by the end of the journey, I had come to one conclusion: Why can't more aerial combat games be like Snoopy?

Set during the First World War, Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron is an interactive tale about the original Red Baron story. Snoopy's a big dreamer. Whatever he envisions comes to life in the game. To give you an idea as to how far his creativity stretches, you start the journey by flying his doghouse. You don't get to take it into battle, but that won't be much of an issue once you see the fighter plane he gets to control.

Snoopy's worlds are decent in size and are completely open to flight maneuvers and exploration. The mission usually incorporates some form of enemy destruction. There are always enemies to defeat, but that doesn't mean it's going to be the main goal. Secondary goals allow you to boost your point totals, which in turn gives you more loot to spend at the weapons stand. (Yes gamers, Snoopy has a weapon stand in his dream. And it's in his backyard, no less!)
Missions vary from straight enemy destruction to ally protection to goals that are somewhere in between. Every mission has restrictions and limitations, but they're not so massive that you'll have to play them again and again. You'll want to play through them more than once though, as the game is a great mix of action and excitement. But you don't have to. That's a key difference between Snoopy Vs. the Red Baron and other kid-targeted games. Kids don't want easy, but they don't want frustration either. They want a challenge

Snoopy vs the Red Baron offers up a fun arcade-like flight combat experience. Even though the presentation doesn't take itself too seriously, the content provides more than one might expect.

You play as Snoopy, from the classic Peanuts comic strip, as he sleeps atop his dog house, dreaming about going up against the Red Baron in World War One. Odd premise? Not really; they wrote a song about this rivalry you know? A Christmas song no less.

There's a variety of settings you'll find yourself in with a decent selection of enemies and bosses to go up against. The bosses and bad guys are very well designed, each providing unique challenges.

As you progress through the missions you'll find there's lots to accomplish and unlock. There will be new weapons you can purchase, along with health, gun, and "stunt meter" upgrades.

You'll also have secondary mission objectives to complete and bonus items to find. If you're a completest, there's plenty to keep you busy during a second play-through.

And each mission is actually fun! This game steers clear of sacrificing game-play for licensed characters. It's one of those rare game with cartoon icons (slightly outdated as they may be), that would be just as fun if it used unknown characters. The rarities continue in the game-play as this is one that can be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences young and old.

It's fair to say that although the combat lacks in intensity, it's not always a breeze either. So some really young players may get frustrated quickly.

The graphics are both fitting and easy on the eyes, and the sound design is also well accomplished, including the voice acting.

The controls are well managed, and will let you handle your bi-plane just as you would like to. The camera is even really good, and rarely causes issues.

Playing through the game may not take you very long. It can probably be done in about 5 hours if you just want to plow through the story missions. But after the main game, you can head for some straight-up dog-fighting action against the AI and/or another live player, using characters you've unlocked throughout the game (if you were good enough to unlock them).

Very little with the game could be considered disappointing. And even that which could be is a mild upset at most. For example, if you spend your money on upgrades to quickly, you could find yourself a couple hundred bucks short for a weapon you didn't know you needed for the next mission until it's too late. But a quick play through or two of the last boss level will usually get you back on track.

Most everything is done very well here. The developers managed to package a great game, and worked hard not to make it just another licensed title with sub-par game-play. A wonderful mix of lightheartedness and fun action.

I really like this game and wanted a game that was of this type. By type I mean of an air combat; training and missions game. I was thinking because of it being Snoopy VS The Red Baron that it was going to be more of a kids game and be very easy to play. Boy, was I wrong, it may be a little easier than flying a jet fighter of some kind; but it isn't that easy. You have to take flight training to learn the controls and weapons of your plane. For me anyway, I am glad that when flying a mission and you get hit that there are add on or pick-ups that help get your health back and damage fixed. Then you are back flying the mission at which time you can also pick up Ammo Boxes and replenish your Secondary Weapons. Just a pretty good game overall!!

My 12 year old son loves this game and he would recommend it to others! It has been a fun game.It is a cool flying game with alot of action.

I bought this game for my kids and it proves enjoyable for all my 4 year old can even play. it is a great family game we love it.