Pandora's Box: The Ultimate GameCube Tier List

#91: P.N.03

Rating: T

Players: 1

Price Range: ~$61 USD

One of the infamous Capcom Five.

Now this is a game I have a lot to talk about.

Now, despite my qualms with it, I actually don't mind P.N.03.

It's a third-person action game in which you need to go through facilities to take down berserk C.A.M.S. robots as Venessa Z. Schneider.

I will say, the action is actually quite good, as the gameplay loop involves racking up points by starting and chaining together a combo of destroyed machines to use in the game's shop to purchase and upgrade suits with their own abilities and strengths and weaknesses.

There is a certain addictiveness to the game that provides an arcade-like experience I can actually gel with.

The game also has some signature Capcom style. Vanessa herself shoots in poses that are uniquely her own and gives off some Bayonetta vibes (we'll talk more about this in a bit), with some bopping good music as well.

This is also special in the GameCube's catalogue, as there are no straight up action games on the system minus a few exceptions like Viewtiful Joe.

But...

Okay, it's now time to talk about the games problems and how they either contribute or deride from the core experience.

If there was a description I would give P.N.03, it would be that the game is essentially Bayonetta...

...In its most barebones, rugged, and unrefined form possible.

First are the controls.

The game uses tank controls, which I will argue both adds and removed from enjoyment of this title.

You see, Capcom had a niche for this control style, and when executed right, it is done expertly, such as in Resident Evil Remake and 4.

And I will admit, it makes this a unique experience you can't get anywhere else.

Unlike modern day shooters, which pile onto as many options as possible, a game like this place as many restrictions on you as humanly possible, which by default makes this difficult to get into.

Regardless, this makes P.N.03 unique in this regard, as since you are immobile while shooting, you have to rely on dodges, the environment, invincibility frames from the Pulse Drive moves, and the sheer power of your build and skill rather than maneuverability to survive the game's challenges and bosses.

However, this creates a massive problem.

This game has tank controls in an action game.

Once again, this is a one-of-kind experience, but I would be lying if I said they were optimal in any way shape or form, because they are not that very good.

You see, because this is an action game, that means that constant movement and combat is required. However, there are situations in which the controls act against you in this regard.

The Pulse Drives give unique abilities that are on each suit and are unlockable on said armors. However, in order to execute one of these special abilities, you need to press a combination of the A button and...the D-pad.

The D-pad is pretty much one of the only flaws with the nearly perfect GameCube controller due to how small it is unless used very situationally, and so you can imagine how jarring it is to push in a set of directions on the D-pad and push A and hope that it works.

While you are granted invincibility frames to compensate for this limitation and the cumbersome execution prevents their abuse, I think this is an inherent flaw.

If you're in a battlefield fighting robots, even a single second of inactivity could spell your doom, including trying to execute one of the Pulse Drive abilities, which are essential for dealing with the bosses and gauntlets at the end of each level.

It doesn't help that besides a few suits having a pitifully slow automatic function without upgrades, you have to murder your thumb with mashing the A button to shoot enemies, which makes this a game to play in bursts in your first playthrough, but not good for very long sessions.

The game also has a limited continue system, but it does not work the way most would think, as they instead act as lives more than anything else once you lose all of your health and die.

Probably why they are called continues is likely to give off arcade vibes and...continues can be purchased in the shop with your points.

And trust me. Unless you are playing on Easy, you'll be paying for these quite a lot, as the game with its limitations is actually pretty hard and requires patience and mastery of P.N.03's systems and mechanics. This ultimately means that instead of useful upgrades or new suits, you have to spend your limited currency on these extra lives unless you know the game inside and out, which, for first time players, is unrealistic.

It doesn't help the game that the environments just mostly consist of these reused bland and sterilized sci-fi facility rooms for pretty much most of the game with the colors of white, grey, and the occasional brown, green, or blue.

Listen, I know that they had to push this game out after only seven months, and what is there is cool, but it clearly shows that this game needed some more time in the oven.

Look, games like these, such as from Capcom, are a forgotten and dying breed of video games that have a small and niche audience, but reward those who persevere with some of the greatest satisfaction the industry has ever seen if executed well, and I can't say that P.N.03 isn't one of those games.

However, like Resident Evil Zero, everything surrounding that restrictive gameplay meant to induce practice and skill is so substandard that it makes the entire experience average.

It doesn't help the game is rather uncommon and is fairly expensive given that the game sold poorly on release as the only game of the Capcom Five to remain exclusive to the system all these years later and the fact that the game can be beaten in about four hours, so I can't really fully recommend P.N.03.

This game has a very small cult following, and I see why. However, this is one of those experiences that is unique and different with some truly great elements and ideas, but there are so many problems, and it is so unrefined, that I can't put it any higher, nor lower.

Despite all of that, you'll quickly see on this list that these are the games that I like compared to others of middling and dubious quality.

I would rather play a game that stands out and has some redeeming qualities that has tons of flaws rather than a game that doesn't have inherently bad design per se, but is so standard, bland, and utterly boring, that it feels cookie cutter and like every other game that I played.

I'm sorry, but that is how my mind works.

As for the game, if you are even somewhat interested and want one of those lost brands of inaccessible, yet satisfying video games that is lost to time today, even if it has many, and I mean many rough edges, then try this game.

Hardcore arcade enthusiasts may enjoy this greatly.

Otherwise, this isn't the game for you.