| ★ AMSTRAD CPC ★ GAMESLIST ★ COMPILATION: KID'S PACK 2 (c) ALTERNATIVE SOFTWARE ★ |
Amstrad Action |
This little bundle contains six games - Count Duckula 2, Fireman Sam, Popeye, Postman Pat 2, Huxley Pig and Bangers & Mash. In case you hadn't noticed, some of these are reviewed elsewhere in this issue, so turn a few pages for those reviews, but as for the rest... COUNT DUCKULA 2 No, don't laugh, it's really on here, and it's abysmal. It's a simple platform game with bland monochrome sprites, hideously slow and jerky movement, an ice-skating main figure (it kinda helps if the legs move roughly in time with Duckula's movement) and pathetic moving platforms that don't so much move as vanish and re-appear elsewhere. Count Duckula 2 isn't a game, a game is fun. This is like sitting your A-levels again. Heaven knows why it was released the first time round, let alone put out again. In fact, it doesn't even deserve a ratings box. (You can't do that, it's got to have a score. Ed) Oh okay, how about zero? (Come on. Ed) Alright, it can have a crap.
That's Postman Pat. No it's not. Its Fireman Sam. It may look pretty similar, but there are major differences. The fire engine is faster that Pats van and there's lots of little subgames to have fun with too. These can vary from platform games to putting out fires, finding skateboards and getting kites off roofs. Fireman Sam is a slightly more frantic version of Postman Pat, with loads more arm work and less time to doze. The only drawback is the loading system. The main game loads all at once, but the bits which involve putting out f res, climbing up the sides of houses and the like, load separately. Still, the newfangled kids of today should be able to figure it out. That said, don't ever make the mistake of thinking this is just for kids. If a twenty year old reviewer can sit and get addicted to this stuff, it really doesdeserve to be taken seriously! HUXLEY PIG The obvious reaction to this game would be 'Wow!' considering the excellent TV series, and the loading sequence does nothing to quench your enthusiasm. It loads. You press fire. You see the graphics. You move around the house. Scream. 'It's Craaaap!' Don't despair, things could be worse. They get worse. The game is based more around a bloke avoiding spiders than Huxley, looking slightly over-done and moving like he's broken both his legs, interacting with his friends. Yet another opportunity for a fun licence has been wasted. BANGER & MASH Oh no! It's the one with the theme tune by Chas 'n' Dave! Bangers & Mash, Bangers & Mash, Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit Wotcha Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit Wotcha Bangers & Mash. Classic musicians. (It took him two hours to work that out. Ed) Bangers (or is it Mash?) is a rather acrobatic, chimp who has to jump along the jungly platforms and collect fruit (for his mum's pies) and diamonds (for points). At the same time he's got to stun, and escape from, the baddies. The graphics are reminiscent of an enlarged Rick Dangerous and the sound is limited to appropriate spot effects and a nice meandering little tune whenever a ghost or witch is near. Death, though inevitable, is especially irritating in B & M, as it comes in the most unexpected forms. A witch may fly up directly underneath you, and you'll die. Or maybe you'll jump and the screen will scroll upwards, you'll hit a previously unseen ghost, and you'll die. Failing that, you'll be standing on a platform, a poisonous plant will grow where you're standing, and you'll die. Persevere and you'll survive! Bangers & Mash is definitely one of the better games on this compilation. It's fun to play, challenging, and teasing. Each time you play you do progress a little further, though expect to find toothmarks in your joystick! It can get very frustrating. AA
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