Good gameplay never gets old
Another World is an adventure game, that when it came out was like no other available. It was atmospheric, had superb animation and graphics and had a depth of game-play that made it really stand out from the crowd.
That was 15 years ago. So I was surprised when it ped in my lap one day, as a new release from Lexicon. Now this is a game that I had some fond memories of. I have played many of my old games in recent times and to be honest been very disappointed (Damn you C64DTV, you destroyed my memories of the C64). So it was with great trepidation that I installed Another World, again concerned that the memory of another great game would be destroyed!
Upon sticking the disk 1 into my trusty laptop, I was confused by the fact that it was actually an audio CD of the newly remixed sound track! Disk 2 was more to the point, including not only the game, but a developer’s diary with scans of Eric Chahis work logs and also a ?making of? movie. All of which are very nice touches for collectors and retro enthusiasts.
But back to the game! Once it was installed I was given the option to run it in either the classic resolution or the new Hi-Res mode with improved backgrounds and colour depth. Not wanting my premonition of disappointment to come true, I opted for the highest settings I could and then entered Another World!
The game starts with an animated intro. Now remember that the graphics are essentially 15 years old, so this is not some perfectly rendered FMV, this is hand drawn animation and at the time it was the best anyone had every seen! This starts off the story, by introducing out hero, a scientist, called Lester, experimenting with nuclear energy (of course). During the experiment the lab is hit by lightning, and our hero is transported to Another World.
The next scene sees him floating in water. After a few moments he is grabbed from underneath by tentacles and dragged to his death. You are shown the Game Over screen and suddenly realise? the game has started! You actually need to swim to the surface and get out of the water. This is a very nice way to get into the game, as you are never broken out of the fantasy.
Now on dry land you need to move about a bit. No tutorial here, just experimentation. The first section helps you get used to running and jumping and also helps get you into the mind set that running away is a good idea at times! Soon, however, you find yourself being taken by the inhabitants of the world and are thrown into jail. This is where the game really starts. You must free yourself and your cell mate and make your break for freedom.
Along the way you pick up a gun. This can fire fast shots, massive explosive shots and also deploy a bullet proof shield. All of these modes are essential to master, as without them you will make no progress! For example, you will find your self at a dead with no way out. Just charge up your gun and let rip at one of the walls and you will often find your way out suddenly opens up!
This is a game of skill and patience, pixel perfect jumps and logic. You can’t just run about blasting things!
I am very glad to say that Another World plays as well today as it did 15 years ago. In some ways it plays better now. The controls have been tweaked and the sound has been remixed, but essentially it is the same game. It all revolves around solid, well balanced game play. In places it is rock hard, but the save points are well placed, so you never find yourself having to go back to far after each death and trust me you will die, a lot! To be honest though it doesn’t matter. It is so nice to play that you will keep trying and trying!
When I first played it all those years ago, I remember how chilling and creepy it could be. Thankfully, with the improved sounds and remixed sound track, that is still the case. Not only that, it is one of the most edge of your seat, adrenaline filled games that I have played in a long time.
Now onto the graphics. The backgrounds are hand drawn they have a beauty about them that paintings have. The characters are also hand drawn, but to be honest do not look good in this day and age. They look a lot like flash games, flat filled in line drawings. The animation is another story. Using rotoscoping (a method of tracing an actors movement) the characters move with a graceful fluidity. Even now they still impress.
It is hard to review this game against today’s standards, but I have to. It is hard to ignore how dated the game looks. The graphics are very hard to swallow at first and some may be put off by the box price (about �10 at this time). It is also archaic in many ways. The trial and error game play can be very frustrating now. The pixel perfect jumps grate on every nerve to start with. But one thing it has is game play and it has that in bucket loads. Far more, in fact, than most modern games. So for that alone this will score high with me. Add to that the fact that it has a new remixed soundtrack, and I would have to say this is a real treat for anyone who likes good games.
So take off any rose tinted glasses and play this because it is a good game now, not because it was a good game 15 years ago. Don’t let initial reactions to it put you off, persevere with it and you are left with a rewarding game that is a true glimpse into the 16 bit heyday!
The Bad: By todays standards the graphics are dated, as are some of the games concepts.
Bronze Y Award