| Introduction
Movie related licenses have always been a great seller
on the GameBoy and in exploiting this Disney are no
exception. Every year we'll get at least one movie tie-in
game which, frankly, isn't usually that good. So, here
we have their latest, Atlantis. Not a great success
at the Box Office and beaten hands down by the mighty
Shrek. I'm expecting the usual platform affair with
Disney allowing the characters and not the gameplay
to sell this title but who knows, I may just be surprised.
GamePlay
On startup it appears that Disney have stayed on
safe ground and produced a simple platformer but once
you've completed the first level (which is a tutorial)
you'll have completely changed your mind. You see, along
with the platform game, you also get a puzzler and one
of the most ingenious ways of swapping characters I've
ever seen. You start off playing Milo who has a handful
of skills. He can decode cartography and climb ropes
attached to ceilings. If you don't need any of these
skills you simply find a two-way radio and choose another
character. Say Vinny who's an explosives expert or if
you need something fixing you can select Audrey... this
aspect is where the game really becomes interesting
and fun to play.
The tutorial mode gives you a brief rundown of what
to look for and makes the whole game a lot more enjoyable.
The radio won't always give you all the characters which
makes the decisions a little easier but trial and error
is part of the game. You'll sometimes come to a puzzle
and realize you needed someone else but things do get
easier and eventually you'll know what to look for.
For example, if there's a weak floor Gaetan's a great
digger or if you're faced with a long swim Kida can
not only swim faster but stay underwater longer.
Played over 11 levels there are a many problems to
overcome and you'll never know what to expect next.
The whole game design has been very well thought out
and everything is logical so you'll never feel you're
in an impossible position. There's great variety involved
in the completion of the game, what with swimming, being
chased by Mammoths and avoiding all manner of spikes,
you'll never feel you can just wander through.
The gamescreen is completely clear of all interference
with lives, with a health bar appearing at the bottom
of the screen only when you gain or lose energy or find
an extra life. At the end of each level completed you
are given a code. The password system has wisely been
kept to four letters. Just when some save features were
getting a little complicated it's nice to see some developers
listening to us players.
Control
The control system is simplicity itself and it always
seems pretty obvious where you must go. Pressing 'up'
activates almost everything such as choosing a character,
using their special ability or flipping switches. Everything
on screen is very responsive so you'll never encounter
any impossible jumps or lose energy when you believe
you're in the clear.
Graphics
As soon as you start up you're greeted by a hi-color
poster screen from the movie and you know you're in
for something special. In fact all the option screens
are like this and the initial presentation is wonderful.
The in-game graphics are just as good with each location
really setting the atmosphere. The sections where Gaetan
uses his head lamp are incredible and the animation
of the characters has to be seen to be believed. Instead
of the usual blocky sprites, the developers have gone
for a type of rendered look which makes the whole thing
look far more realistic whilst keeping the clarity of
on-screen.
Sound & Music
All GBC sound and music seems to sound a little primitive
now that we have the Advance but this is by no means
terrible and it's a reasonable interpretation of the
score from the movie with various sound effects for
all your characters. If it really does annoy you though,
you can always turn it off via the options menu.
Final Comments
This is not really what you'd expect with a Disney
license and, like the movie that the game is based on,
is not really for children. Not that they won't enjoy
it. The quality right through is outstanding and I'd
recommend it to anyone who enjoys platform puzzlers,
even people who wouldn't usually touch a Disney title.
I really can't praise this title enough and it's nice
to see a developer putting so much effort into a handheld
game. This may be one of the last great games for the
GameBoy Color. Get it Now!
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