Oddworld Adventures Game by GT Interactive & Saffire Reviewed by MadCow Roland@cpwtv.globalnet.co.uk Size: 2 Megabits Save: Password Released: Late 1998 Works with: Made for monochrome **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: It's Oddworld on a Gameboy? On the playstation and PC it was noted for the amazing graphic backgrounds and the Gamespeak. The gameboy doesn't exactly have the best graphics and sound ever does it. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: Suprisingly the gameplay is very good. The moves become instinctive after a while and you really get into it. There are 13 levels and some secret levels (which have not yet been found), the gamespeak has been cut down quite a bit. Rather than using commands you have to say a password which if correct the Mukkadon will give you a special power. Each level has puzzles to solve and you will die millions of times solving them, it took me quite a while to complete and I still haven't found the secret levels. One problem with the puzzles is that some are obscure. Normally you have rocks to throw to blow up mines. One level really stumped me as there were 3 mines and to get back you had to out run some enemies. It turned out that the rocks you got were in 3s on that level, there was no warning. There is a large challenge, after completing the game it challenges you to do it without passwords. Then it gives you another challenge which I won't say. Unfortunalty there is no reward for this. Then there are the secret levels to find. Liked: Challenging, good fun I replayed it because I enjoyed it, easy to get into. Hated: Obscure puzzles **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: The graphics are cleverly done, there aren't really any backgrounds just rocks which are mostly to stop you. The graphics are layered, the rocks are photos I think, then the platforms, leavers, bags and other simalar things are line drawings. Finally the characters like Abe look like they are done the same way as Killer Instinct, this makes everything stand out. Liked: Abe has alot of animation. If you pause whilst jumping, he crouches then jumps stretching at the apex. There are other good touches like when you go in a tube he waves. There are several cut scenes which are stills with text, these are done very well and look quite good on the Gameboy Hated: Not alot wrong, sometimes you have to crawl to the next screen and the gap isn't very clear. Oh and sometimes it glitches like a door that should be closed looks open but isn't. **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: It's a pity sound and music aren't different categories. The sound is *really* good. You can hear your footsteps as you walk but not as you sneak. When the paramites eat you there is a suitably strange sound which makes you feel sorry for Abe. The slogs bark, as the bats fly about as they flap harder to get higher the sounds change. The music is odd! There isn't really music as in tunes just background sounds that change. It has a good effect which really makes the game seem strange almost dream like. Liked: All of it. Hated: Ummm, well there could have been some good tunes in the cut scenes. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The control is mostly responsive, as I said they become very instinctive and you feel as if you are moving with Abe. The learning curve is good, the first level has hints to help you get into the feel of the game. Then the next 6 levels can be played in any order, this is good as you learn something in one that can be used in another. The last few levels take ages to solve. Liked: Good controls, excellent learning curve Hated: Occasionally like when abe walks into a wall he stops for a second. To begin with doing a forward jump sometimes goes wrong and you run then jump which can be fatal. **************************************************************************** Improve: If they did a sequel I would like to see more Mukkadons and maybe a couple more levels. Just fixing up the bugs would make this a near perfect game. I would like a sequel though! RIYL: Nothing, there is nothing like it. **************************************************************************** Final Words: An excellent game that is well worth anyone buying who enjoys puzzles and platformers. If you like it on the other platforms you will like it on the gameboy, **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: **** Graphics: **** Sound/Music: ****1/2 Play Control/Game Design: **** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 22.5/25 Final Score: 90% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: I won't bother listing all off the passwords, but the last level's pass is TBTGF. Also if you press start to pause you can press buttons on the control pad to hear abe's speech from the other games.