Stretch Panic

Stretch Panic, also known as Hippa Linda (ひっぱリンダ) in Japan and Freak Out in Europe and Oceania, is an action-platforming game developed by Treasure for the PlayStation 2.

Gameplay[]

The gameplay focuses on using Linda's scarf as a grappling tool or weapon. A major mechanic of the game is being able to grab any point, either of the environment or the characters, and stretch or deform it.

The levels are split into two types. There are twelve boss stages and four open stages (dubbed EX worlds) where the lesser Zako enemies roam. These stages are accessible from doorways in a hub area, the Museum of Agony.

Linda's health is represented by a large empty star at the bottom left of the screen. If she is fighting a boss, their health is also represented by this type of meter at the top right of the screen. The stars fill up radially as damage is taken, and if a star is completely filled, its owner is defeated. The colors in the star correlate to amounts of damage, with blue being light damage, yellow being medium damage, red being heavy damage and green being special damage (only from Linda's Scarf Bomb attack). If Linda runs out of health, she is sent back to the Museum of Agony.

In the bottom right of the screen is the Stretch-O-Meter, represented by the demon scarf's closed eye. By grabbing and stretching things, the meter builds up (signified by the eye opening and turning red), allowing you to use certain moves or deal more damage with your attacks.

In the center of the bottom of the screen is your current point count. Points are required to open the boss doors and use your Scarf Bomb attack. At first you have zero points, meaning you must initially enter the EX stages and obtain points from the regular enemies. The enemies present in these stages will only respawn if you leave and reenter the stage. Any time you land a heavy hit on an enemy or boss, you are awarded one point. In Hippa Linda, you are awarded three points for heavy hits on bosses instead. The counter caps at ninety-nine.

Outside of moving around with the left analog stick, Linda herself can only climb up very small ledges. The rest of her moves and attacks come from her possessed scarf. These are:

Grabbing: pressing the R1 button sends the scarf forward; it can be directed with the right analog stick. Once it touches an enemy or part of the environment, it is automatically grabbed.
Stretching: after grabbing an enemy or the environment, it can be pulled by wiggling the right analog stick. This builds up tension in the Stretch-O-Meter.
Pinching: releasing a grabbed enemy will lightly damage it. Pinching does more damage depending on how full the Stretch-O-Meter is.
Scarf Flip: after grabbing the environment, maxing out the Stretch-O-Meter will cause Linda to jump through the air. You can also activate a Scarf Flip instantly by pressing R3.
Torpedo Attack: after grabbing an enemy, maxing out the Stretch-O-Meter will cause Linda to fly through the air, crashing into the targeted enemy for medium damage.
Throw: pressing the R3 button after picking up certain small objects and enemies will throw it forward. Depending on the type of object thrown, it can damage another enemy it hits.
Scarf Bomb: after grabbing an enemy, pressing the L3 and R3 buttons at the same time will initiate this complex attack. Two more hands are spawned which home in on the target, and upon grabbing it the sticks can be wiggled to deal rapid damage. Linda herself will also automatically follow the target if it tries to run away, and she is immune to damage while the Scarf Bomb is active. However, certain actions can interrupt this attack: if either of the spawned hands latch onto something other than the target, or if the target moves away too quickly without both hands latched on to it, the attack instantly deactivates. It is the only attack which costs points to use: it costs five points per use in Stretch Panic and Freak Out, and three points in Hippa Linda.

There are also some controls related to the camera. Pressing and holding L1 will put Linda in a strafe, which will automatically lock on to certain enemies and highlight their weak points with red arrows. Pressing and holding L2 or L3 will lock Linda in place, and the left analog stick can then be used to look around her.

Each of the twelve bosses are Linda's sisters, and the goal is to not only drain their health, but also exorcise them with a Scarf Bomb attack. Upon exorcising a boss successfully, their Zako will appear and hover around Linda until the fight ends. Defeating the sister without exorcising her simply opens a doorway back to the Museum of Agony, requiring you to retry in order to progress towards the ending (though the point toll for entering the stage will be reduced to zero). Once you successfully defeat an exorcised boss, they cannot be fought again on that save file. Exorcised bosses can be viewed and their models played with in the Gallery of Shame, accessed by torpedo attacking the bell in the center of the hub. Once the last boss is exorcised, all of the doors in the museum will vanish, and a new one will appear which takes you to the credits.

Plot[]

The story revolves around Linda, a little girl who has her scarf possessed by a demon. She must rescue her twelve sisters from twelve other demons who have targeted them for their vanity.

Manual version[]

Linda lived in a big house on the outskirts of town with her 12 sisters, all of whom were extremely vain. All day long her sisters would put on make up, try on different clothes and strut about the house admiring themselves in mirrors. They rarely talked, pausing only to complement each other on how beautiful they looked.

'My, how beautiful I look today!' said Jelly-Chan as she admired herself in one of the house's many large mirrors. 'This outfit looks absolutely fabulous on me. Linda don't I look spectacular?'

'Yes Jelly, you look lovely, as always' replied Linda who wasn't in the least bit vain. Linda could not understand her sisters' fascination with their appearance. The only piece of clothing Linda truly loved was a tatty old green scarf which had been give to her by her father.

'And look at you, always wearing that gaudy striped shirt and stupid cap. And that scarf! It's so old it should be buried. Honestly Linda you're a complete disaster. Why don't you let us give you a makeover?'

"Because I don't want a makeover. I like my clothes. At least they fit me! That skirt is obviously two sizes too small for you!'

'Don't you take that tone of voice with Jelly!' said Spirit, the oldest of the sisters. 'She's right, you do look like a mess! Now make yourself useful and go down to the mall and pick up our cosmetics order!'

Linda was the youngest in the family and was used to being bossed around. Since her sisters rarely left the house (they couldn't stand to be away from their wardrobe for very long) Linda was always delegated to go into town for groceries and whatnot. Linda didn't really mind though. In truth, she liked to get outside and enjoyed a break from her sister's once in a while.

So Linda walked down the long road into town and picked up her sister's cosmetics order from the beauty store. There were so many boxes Linda could barely carry them all! As she staggered back from town, trying to keep her balance with the boxes stacked way above her head, she heard the sound of a vehicle getting closer. She looked around but couldn't see anything, even though the sound was getting louder and louder. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a large truck with a bizarre logo emblazoned on the side appeared and zoomed by Linda, almost hitting her. Linda lost her balance and dropped all the boxes. As the truck drove away into the distance, it seemed to her that the logo on the side was almost... laughing at her? No, it must be her imagination. Linda slowly gathered up the boxes and continued on towards home.

Meanwhile, the truck pulled to a stop outside Linda's house. A few seconds later the front door opened and a large package was pushed inside. Before anyone could see who (or what) had made the delivery, the door slammed and the truck drove away. All of the 12 sisters gathered round the package, curious as to what it was, and who it was for.

'Maybe it's food for me!' said Jelly-Chan hungrily.

'Perhaps it's make-up for me!' Said Mirage hopefully.

'No, no, it must be that new blouse I ordered!' said Samantha, excitedly.

'That's strange, there's no address on it, just this 'Beauty Set' flier.' Commented Spirit.

As Spirit reached out to pick up the leaflet the box began to shake! All the sisters jumped back, startled! Slowly the tabs unfolded and the box began to open by itself! As the sides dropped to the floor an ominous looking doorway was revealed. The door was closed, but a mysterious could be heard from inside.

"Sisters, Sisters, don't be frightened.

Gather round and be enlightened!

For we have come from far away,

to grant your heart's desire this day.

Such glamour we have rarely seen!

You all could pass as beauty queens.

Your clothes look great, as does your hair;

your make up is without compare.

And yet... you feel it's not enough,

for any girl can buy this stuff.

You want a look that's more unique.

A style beyond conventional chic.

Well ladies, it's your lucky day,

there is no reason to dismay!

For it is well within our power.

To change your very shape this hour!

Now ultimately it's your decision.

To manifest your inner vision.

But trust us, it's the best cosmetic.

We guarantee you won't regret it.

Your vanity has drawn us here.

Let your pride overcome your fear.

Your desire is the only key.

To unlock the museum of agony."

By the time the voice had finished the sisters had completely forgotten about Linda and their cosmetics delivery. In fact, they had completely forgotten about everything. They barely even noticed as the door slowly began to open...

As Linda approached the house, tired from carrying her sisters' cosmetics boxes all the way back from the store, a blinding light started flashing from inside, visible through all the windows. There was a large explosion, windows shattered, and the light spread, engulfing Linda.

Linda dashed inside, and instantly saw the source of the light. Standing right there in the middle of the front hall was a mysterious open doorway with light pouring out. Linda approached the door cautiously. As she stepped closer she heard a strange high pitched mischievous laugh. Then, right before her eyes her scarf started to move, coiling around her like a snake! Linda gasped as the end turning black, split like fingers, and a huge eye opened on the back. Her scarf had become possessed! Linda was afraid the scarf might try to attack her, after a few seconds, she realized that is actually seemed to like her!

Just then Linda heard the whispering voice coming from the other side of the door. Because of the light she could not see who was speaking.

'Linda, step through the portal. Join your sisters! Join us!'

'What have you done with my sisters?' shouted Linda defiantly.

'They have been made beautiful, like your scarf. Do you want to become beautiful Linda?'

'I don't want to become anything! I just want my sisters back!'

'If you want them,' hissed the voice, 'then come and get them.'

Even though she was scared, Linda knew she was her sisters' only hope. Without hesitation, she stepped through the doorway and into the light.

Characters[]

Bosses[]

Enemies[]

Bonita Zako
EX World Zako (Hippa Linda only)
Siren's Zako
Anne Droid V2.1's Zako
Cyan's Zako
Demonica's Zako
Spirit's Zako

Reception[]

Stretch Panic received mixed reviews at release. It's mostly praised for its original ideas but lack of substance and flaws. It seemed to be more well received in Japan but that may have to do with the Japanese release having some additions to make gameplay easier and more enjoyable.

Credits[]

Director: Kōichi Kimura
Programmers: Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, Yuji Yamanaka, Tahei Katagai
Artists: Kiyotaka Ōhashi, Takuro Nakamura, Kōichi Kimura, Gō Nakazawa
Composer: Norio Hanzawa

Trivia[]

Stretch Panic was Treasure's first free-roaming 3D game.
In the game's Japanese title, "Hippa" means "Pull" in Japanese, so the game's Japanese title literally translates to "Pull Linda", which might have sounded nonsensical and unrepresentative of the game if it was titled that in localization, which is probably why it was retitled "Stretch Panic" in its North American localization and as "Freak Out" in its PAL region localization.

Gallery[]

In other languages[]

Japanese: Hippa Linda (ひっぱリンダ)
Europe and Oceania: Freak Out