Graphics are flat-out beautiful. I don't think a game from that time could have done much better. The fire is done exceptionally well. The only problem I can see is that the entire engine is tile-based, meaning that some of the animation is a bit blocky. The screen-by-screen (as opposed to pixel-by-pixel or even tile-by-tile) scrolling of the game is a little bit of a downside, as it makes remembering where you are a task. I'd give it 93% on the graphics aspect of the game.
The controls are very easy to learn - that is, there isn't much complexity (or need for it). However mastering just moving around takes a little while, because (again we are coming back to the dreaded tile-based engine problem) when you hold down a movement key, you just leap around, because you can move pixel-by-pixel - only tile-by-tile. This is not always obvious, because the implemented a nice little routine to make it look as if you are indeed walking pixel-by-pixel, by showing a walk animation of the character in between tiles.
Jumping is also something that you need to master - it goes slowly, and you often don't jump far enough if you only tap the jump key. I'd give it a 79% on the control aspect of the game.
It's very very very hard. Very challenging. I doubt those who don't appreciate maze-type games will like this one - it's all about weaving through a large labyrinth. No guns n' glory here - much more strategy, planning, and navigating. However if you like a good maze, this one is excellent. I'd give it a 85% on the gameplay aspect of the game.
The sound is PC speaker. And quite simply, even though it isn't high quality or complex, the SFX puts a very nice feel to it. The best PC Speaker sounds you'll ever here. I'd give it a 96% on the sound aspect of the game.
The final score (all scores in each category, averaged) is 88.25%.
Written by:
~ZCoderGamer
