Spanx can use Redmond to chain-whip enemies, as a grappling hook to swing over the various hazards or twirl him around to helicopter glide. He can also cruelly stuff him into the works of machine to jam it (watch the fur fly!) or electrical boxes to charge him with voltage (but fear not, experiments have made our bunny indestructible and he comes through it all and still has time for plenty of Daxter-style wisecracks). You'll come across a mass of baddies - cruel scientists and surgeons, security guards, cleaners, janitors, robot guards and some imaginative boss creatures. Some can simply be beaten unconscious by using Redmond as a club, but others need to be avoided or dealt with by more clever means.

   

Now disregarding the controversial subject matter and setting for a second (we all know animal testing is cruel), the fact that the two animals are chained together (the game was originally know as "Chain Gang") throws up some interesting gameplay mechanics, but also limits it. Whiplash has some clever if confusing levels (the overall facility play area is huge), and many of them are linked by mile long corridors full of nothing much other than the odd guard, employee, security laser or robot. This lengthy means of linking sections feels like the corridors are simply there to pad the game out, and you have to perform the same actions time and time again. The mission objectives on some levels are blindingly obvious (there's a rough description in-game), but on others you'll wander around without a clue what to do - this feels strange compared to many other more linear platformers and some will like it, some will definitely hate it.

   

Graphically Whiplash is unspectacular but sound (with some disappointing clipping). Our cartoony heroes are well animated and Spanx moves in a suitably rodent-like way. The levels are packed with smashable scenery and objects, and you get a running cash total of the damage you've done, which makes you want to smash everything you can. Many levels are dingy though, and the game lacks the visual appeal of many of its rivals. There are some satisfying puzzles but not enough variation in the gameplay. There are also some neat features like a Metroid-style 3D map (and although it's a bit fuzzy and confusing you will need it), or being able to designate how the health and power-ups are divided a bit like a role-playing game.

   

Spanx and Redmond might not be worrying the likes of Jak & Daxter or Ratchet & Clank just yet, but they have got themselves a highly playable game with some genuinely clever ideas. It's a shame they often feel so lost and clueless though.