The Bouncer (Sony PlayStation 2, 2001)

Like someone else said, if you're a fan of Square Enix's work, this is a must have. I loved this game ever since I first played it. Alot of people have down sides to this game, but they all seem to be the same 3 things: FMV Game, too short, boring "street fighting" game.

Personally, I love FMV. It broadens the story and moves along the character during transitions. I didn't really think there was too much in this game, but others may argue against that. I really didn't think it was much more than FFX, relative the game's play time.

The game is short for a reason. You have 3 people to play as. Sure, this may be boring after a while, but you get the whole story from each perspective. Also, sometimes the 3 characters you can play as aren't in the same place helping each other, meaning that there's different things to do when you choose a different person. Not only that, but each individual has their own abilities and fighting style as well.
Someone else also described that it was used to show off the PS2's capabilities, which I believe it does VERY well.

Finally, there's the battle system. I never thought people would have a problem with this of anything. It's the same as every other action rpg Square Enix has done, and not same as in "the same boring thing", but same as in "the same system, yet uniquely done with every game they do." If you've ever played Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy XII, you won't have a problem with it.

To sum my review up, I really believe that people who have reviewed this game poorly are more into "Capcom" type of games, that are solely for fighting non-stop. If you enjoy RPGs, love a great story, or have ever even touched one of Square Enix's games and thought it was enjoyable, try this. I find this game very hard to dissapointed.

I really like alot of the RPG's that Square has released over the years such as the Final Fantasy series and Chrono Trigger to name a few. But also as a fighting game fanatic this title was a risky yet memorable game to play. I've played this many hours and the replay value can be high if the player enjoys a FF style game but with a fighting game at its core. I would've liked to see a sequel to this yet it appears it may never happen. To any fighting game fan out there this is a definite must play!

There and many people who have strong opinions about Square Enix's game, The Bouncer. People tend to either love this game, for its powerful use of Playstation 2's Graphic Capabilities and its great music soundtrack. Other people dislike this game, for its constant CG Cutscenes, and how short the game is (you can beat the game in about two hours.) Many people do not realize that this game was intended to boast the PS2's capabilities, being a game that was released almost at the same time as the PS2, it still has great graphics to compete with modern PS2 Games.

In the Bouncer, you can be one of three characters. After each battle, you get Experience Points (To Boost Your Class) and Skill Points (To increase life, stamina, strength or learn a skill.) Your two teamates fight along side with you, their AI is actually somewhat helpful. The entire time your trying to rescue a girl, which you learn more about. The storyline is not too clear, but makes more sense as time goes on.

Overall the game is great in my opinion. It does have its faults but that is because they were trying to rush this game to come out at the same time as the PS2. Graphics and gameplay are excellent. Noriko Matsueda & Takahito Eguchi did a fantastic job on the sound. Its a brilliant game.

This was the first action RPG for the PS2 with a name reputation for RPG's online. It does a great job being an action rpg with the only downside of it being short as you can beat it quickly and master all three characters in a day or two. However it showed excellent graphic's and is the first game in history to use 5.1 surround sound. For that reason it should go into a museum as all first games to incorporate new features. Such as surround sound, 1080P etc should. Not because they are great but because they are historic for the gaming industry. As there should be a hall of fame for great games (I.E.)Halo, COD MW, MW2, Black Ops, FF7 etc.

I know alot of people tell me they hate this PS2 game for its lack of a free roaming mode and its control scheme. For me tho... I loved the game, Its story is a little on the weird side but when square is involved, the story will NEVER have much normal lol and its got GREAT replay ability. The things I dont like are A. The hit detection can be a pain sometimes *lined up with person to have fist miss their head by 2 inches, B. Computer AI pretty much sucks (your guys maxed out lose 90% health to a weak enemy) lol For as cheap as it is now tho, Id highly recommend anyone adding this to their library, for its flaws.. Its definitely worth the minor headaches