Title Publisher |
A Bug's Life / THQ |
Genre | Platform |
Features | GameBoy, Color GameBoy, Super GameBoy, Password Save |
Reviewer | Eric |
Summary Gameplay |
I loved the animated movie. Disney cartoons, be it animated or 3D-mated, have a magic that enthralls the child in all of us. As such, I was really looking forward to the Color GameBoy game based on the movie. In the game, as in the movie, you assume the role of Flik, who along with his circus buddies, set out to save the ant colony from the lazy, bullying grasshoppers. Through out 8 levels, Flick must not only jump and hop, he also has to climb, crawl, search and solve many puzzles in order to save his friends. Each level is glorious to behold, with lush vibrant colors and changing landscapes. Be warned, however, as Flick only has 6 lives to progress through the game. Each
life contains three health units, which decreases each time an enemy hits him. There are many enemies too, like
bees, worms, wasps and of course the evil grasshoppers. Luckily, you can regain your health by eating food items
along the way.
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Verdict | Bug's Life is indeed colorful and well animated. Flik moves gracefully, and the Color
GameBoy's hardware is well endowed to handle the speed of the game without blurring. As an example, press and hold-down
the B button, then move the direction pad. You will see Flick run, and the speed is amazing. I was so enthralled
that I kept doing this all the time, killing Flick many a times in the process. Sadly, Bug's Life, despite it's many qualities, has one fatal flaw. The collision as well as edge detection is quirky. In a platform game this can be really annoying. At certain stages, you'll need luck rather than jumping accuracy, to succeed. I say this with many a Mario, Lara Croft, and Crash Bandicoot victories under my belt. Edges of platforms seem to disappear suddenly in the game, and more often than not, you'll find yourself plunging to death thinking that you've landed on something solid. The collision detection too is weird. Berries falling from the trees seem to hit Flik quite easily despite the fact that he's standing quite far away. This also applies to enemies, so be very careful. Alas, I like the game and give it a hearty recommendation. It is quirky, no doubt, but if you stick with it, you'll eventually enjoy it as much as the movie. |