| Introduction
Pitfall was basically introduced as the computer
game industry's answer to Indiana Jones although this
GBA outing is not the first time we've seen it on a
computer or console. In fact, the original appeared
on the Atari system (ask your parents!) and has since
popped up in one form of another on just about everything.
Only a few years ago it even made an appearance on the
humble GameBoy Color thanks to CRAVE Entertainment.
So does the new version do justice to this classic or
should it have remained a classic?
GamePlay
You play the part of Harry Jr in a quest to find
out what happened to your father. It's the usual story
of travelling across varied terrain and defeating foes
in order to reach your final goal. What makes Pitfall
different, however, is the way you go about this.
Your quest takes you through 6 different lands although
you will visit some of these on more than one occasion.
The variety here is one of the aspects that set this
title apart from similar ones. Every level or area has
a theme. What it looks like, what you do and how you
go about solving it. The mine-cart sections alone will
have you coming back for more. There are no impossible
jumps either but some element of timing is needed to
swing from ropes. Always look around you. It may be
that the cobweb next to you can be bounced on or the
tree you're standing on has a secret opening. The levels
are very well designed and the puzzle elements can be
quite challenging. You'll hardly ever get to the 'this
is impossible' stage but if you do get stuck there's
always a little help on hand.
The game screen itself has you right in he centre.
The wide screen appearance of the GBA is helpful here
as you can see trouble a little earlier. Other information
on the screen includes your score, weapons, treasure
count(for extra lives) and your health bar which features
a wonderful graphic of a crocodile catching up with
Harry Jr. Once he's got you. That's it. You are encouraged
to explore everywhere rather than just race through
the levels as bonus items are placed in various places
around the screen. These can be important as some of
them you'll need to complete the level. Caution will
also help. Yes, this is a 'thinking' platform game.
Finally, one aspect of the GBA that seems to be becoming
very important is the save game feature. Is it password
or battery backup? Well here it's neither. Keeping with
the original theme of this game you just have 'continues'.
Again this doesn't spoil the game and it's still a joy
to play but if you are finding you're getting nowhere
make sure it's on 'normal' and not the 'hard' setting.
Controls
The control system on the whole is quite a simple
affair but does get a little complicated when trying
to launch some of the weapons. Everything is used here,
even the shoulder buttons. With a little playing and
practice, though, the whole thing becomes quite instinctive.
If, however, you're still having a little trouble there's
always the options menu where you can switch the controls
around.
Graphics
This game looks incredible! Harry Jr is beautifully
animated regardless of what you make him do. Running,
jumping and swinging from ropes are all performed with
some of the smoothest animation I have seen from a handheld.
The other 'on screen' characters too move with ease
and there are plenty of them. The backgrounds are also
very well conceived and look and feel a great deal different
over the various levels that span the game.
Sound & Music
From the start of this adventure the sound fully
immerses you in your environment and really helps to
deepen the atmosphere of the gaming experience. Jungles
sound like you'd expect them to with a whole host of
animals calling out and running around. In complete
contrast the Mine levels add an incredible feeling of
being in a cave or deep underground. Incidental sounds
and the background music complete what is a great sounding
game.
Final Comments
If you've played this before then you'll recognize
that this is a faithful and very well crafted reproduction
of what has always been a great game. The developers
at Pipedream Interactive have taken great care to include
all the aspects that made this title such a classic
in the first place. If you haven't encountered it before
but you enjoy platformers with a puzzle twist then go
and buy this now. There are hours of gameplay here which
all makes for a fully satisfying experience.
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