Considering each of the mini-games is not very different at all, the multiplayer aspect begins to fall apart as well, and that is a problem. All of the games have different targets or goals, ranging from stuffing one's ballot box with votes (represented in the game as anthropomorphic clams); using clams to secure funding from numerous "fat-cats" littering the stage (represented by fat cats dressed in red vests with the requisite pocket watches, top hats and monocles, an image that's as played out as the humor in the game), or claiming each of four ballot boxes in a stage, which is akin to a base-capturing game.
Every mini-game requires that characters collect any certain number of clams and punch out other players to knock down their number of clams. Regardless of the target or goal of the game, there is no deviation from this. Very little strategy is required beyond avoiding other players and stuffing one's pockets with as many clams as possible. That's not to say there is no strategy at all. One of the cooler features in the game is the ability to team up with other players to maximize clam-collecting prowess. Some of the team-ups are rather clever. For example, if bigger characters team-up with smaller characters, they'll use the latter as a projectile to attack other players, or if one of the two many-armed characters are used, their appendages can be stretched out to perform a running clothesline on other characters.
Teaming up has its downside too; if one player betrays another, the effects can be devastating. Team ups are only one sliver of hope in an otherwise repetitive, unoriginal package.
Bottom Line: Hail to the Chimp fails to be much fun. The amount of content is impressive, and the idea behind the game is intriguing, but none of the concepts are utilized well. The graphics are cute and nicely-animated, but they can't help the fact that the mini-games are more frustrating than fun and are completely boring after about 15 minutes, no matter how many friends you invite over.
Verdict: It's a shame the game doesn't capitalize on a potentially funny concept. Unless you're hard-up for a party game that is not on a Nintendo peripheral, it's best to just forget Hail to the Chimp.
Matthew Olcese once wanted to train a diaper-clad monkey to sit on his shoulder, groom him, and attack his enemies. Other than being strong evidence of his insanity, this fact also meant he reads too much Y: The Last Man.
