|
Title: |
Disney's Tarzan |
Publisher: |
Activision |
Features: |
Color GameBoy Only
2- Player Mini-Game
4 Playable Characters
Password Save |
Available: |
Mega Multimedia
Tampines Mall
Tel: 788-7555
Fax: 788-2555 |
Reviewer: |
Eric |
|
|
|
Introduction
Sorry,
but I just couldn't resist a review of Tarzan without pictures of the nice animated clip that starts the game.
I'm a big fan of Disney cartoons, and when EAGB's head-honcho, Valerie, asked for volunteers to do the review,
I was the first to raise my hand.
By the way, seeing the movie and playing the game are two different things. There are always three things to consider
when buying a game based on a movie. In the case of Tarzan, the first thing is that you shouldn't expect the game
to be as lush and colorful as the movie. Secondly, a great movie doesn't always translate into an excellent game.
And lastly, don't even think of hearing Phil Collins sing anytime during the game.
Game Play
As you
can tell, Tarzan the GameBoy game is based on Disney's Tarzan the movie cartoon. This adaptation, however, is basically
a platformer, but one that allows you to control four of the movie's central characters. Of course Tarzan is one
of them, but in this game, you get to play him as both a cute baby and later on, as the grown-up Lord of the Jungle.
Jane, his lovely mate, and Terk his ape buddy, are also playable.
Your enemies, as in the cartoon, are Sabor and Clayton. There are other enemies too, and they take the form of
mean baboons, will-boars, piranhas, snakes and other assorted animals.
There are 23 jumping, swimming and vine swinging levels in Tarzan. You start the first level controlling Baby Tarzan,
and will during the course of the game, change between adult Tarzan, Jane or Terk.
Each level is different, not just in objectives but scenery as well. The moves and controls for each character,
however, is basically the same, so you shouldn't have any difficulties playing as any of them. A character can
basically run, dash, jump, swim and swing.
As I've said, each level is different, although the basic goal throughout is to collect the required number of
bananas while trying to dodge and avoid the enemies. Certain levels also require you to accomplish a task like
either finding Terk or rescuing Jane. My favorite is the elephant stampede level, and when you get there, I'm sure
you'll like it too!
In Tarzan, you start the game with only three lifes. Each life consists of 3 health points, but there are extra
lifes throughout the game if you can get to them. This is the annoying part of the game, because if you die before
completing a whole level, you'll have to start at the beginning. There is a password save of course, so remember
to have pen and paper ready at the end of each level.
For those with friends, Tarzan comes with a two player hide and seek mini-game. It's a rather pathetic game, in
my opinion, and you're better off playing for real in the play ground.
Color & Controls
Like I said previously, the colors and graphics in Tarzan are not what you would find in
the movie. Somehow, and even considering the limitations of the Color GameBoy, I found the colors in Tarzan a little
disappointing. I've seen much more colorful games, but those used in Tarzan appeared flat and somewhat unlively.
Character animation, however, was decent, and helped a little to dispel the sometimes dull and uneventful backgrounds.
As in any platform game, and Tarzan included, knowing the quirks and timing for each move is important, as well
as understanding the limitations of each. This, however, works only if the game has good and precise controls.
In this case, Tarzan doesn't disappoint. You will find it a joy to swing from the trees, and to land at the point
you expected. Tarzan might seem ungainly at first, due to the crazy ape-like animation, but you will realize after
a while that he can be as deft and accurate as you want him to be.
Final Comments
As a movie
adaptation and platform game, Tarzan is exactly what I expected i.e. a well made, entertaining and fun game. Sadly,
that is all you can expect. Tarzan doesn't break the mold nor does it gain points for ingenuity. I liked it for
what it is, and considering the famously poor quality of other "movie-games", Tarzan stands out as being
not only Lord of the Jungle, but also, "Lord of the Movie Games". |