Cel Damage puts cartoon drivers in cars with boxing gloves and chainsaws, and the idea alone should carry a full afternoon of entertainment. The game, developed by Pseudo Interactive, Play It, and published by Electronic Arts, Play It, launched on Xbox in November 2001, followed by GameCube in 2002 and a PlayStation 2 version for Europe in 2003. It has since been remastered as Cel Damage HD on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in 2014, with Xbox One and Nintendo Switch ports following.
The Setup
Cel Damage follows six cartoon characters from a fictional show called “Cel Damage” who battle to the delight of TV audiences every week. Since they are cartoons, they never die, and combatants regenerate instantly after a hit. Players battle through 12 levels across three game modes: Smack Attack, Gate Relay and Flag Rally. The first two modes involve beating down other cars, the third involves gathering flags. Smack Attack is the only mode unlocked at the start, though some weapon and arena upgrades are locked until players earn them.
The cast is rounded out by ten characters in total, six of whom are ready to play right away. The remaining four, called “guest star” characters, must be unlocked.
The Fun
Cel Damage’s humor comes from its premise: toons battling each other in souped-up vehicles in cartoon worlds where items like a 100-ton weight, giant boxing gloves and baseball bats are part of the scenery. Players roam freely through each arena, discover hidden areas, perform stunts and hit other cars. The weapon list is broad, including black holes, vacuum nozzles, freeze rays, giant springs and portable nuclear devices.
The HD re-release added health bars and a new method for unlocking items, along with a few new weapons and a new stage. These additions are small but welcome, since the core game is largely the same. It is worth noting the original 2001 version did not include health bars.
The Problems
Cel Damage is dated in its presentation. Its combat, while amusing, is simple, and players looking for depth will find it missing. The three modes share the same goal: hit another player or collect a flag. This repetition grows evident after a while. The arenas, while cartoonish, do not offer much variation between levels.
Here is a quick look at the three game modes:
- Smack Attack: players attack other players and/or computer players to gain a certain number of points first
- Gate Relay: players race to checkpoints
- Flag Rally: players race to collect flags
| Game Mode | Goal | Locked Status |
|---|---|---|
| Smack Attack | Gain smack points | Unlocked at start |
| Gate Relay | Reach checkpoints | Locked until earned |
| Flag Rally | Collect flags | Locked until earned |
Cel Damage borrows from other vehicular combat titles, with its three modes feeling similar to others in the genre. The unlockable characters and arenas add replay value, but the core loop has not aged well.
This verdict comes from our own assessment of the game.
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