Hercules

Before you ask, no, this game isn't based on the film, nor anything to do with the cartoon franchise. Hercules is based on the ancient Greek stories of old or the "Twelve Deathly Labors of Hercules." For many players, that may be farfetched work to establish a video game on, thinking how that would even work. But alas, here we are with a platform game promising to be as challenging as it is entertaining.

Hercules is a single-screen platform game where players will set out to accomplish each of the twelve labors, completing the title upon finishing their divine tasks. It all feels simple, but perhaps there's more than meets the eye to get the job done. Let's see how our ancient hero comes across in the video game sphere for the first time.

It's All Labor

Being a Commodore 64 game, the mechanics of Hercules can't be all that challenging. Or that's what we'd think. Start trying to navigate your way through each level, and you'll understand why these labors of Hercules are a struggle. Players must get from start to finish on a single screen, using the ropes and platforms to hit the end goal. It sounds simple enough, but you never know where the next trap comes from.

The randomization of each level makes it significantly harder to form a game plan for how you'll get to the end goal. Platforms will transform into fire, and some are invisible, so you'll have to try to find where they are placed. It's a lot of trial and error and downright frustrating if you start. However, as you get used to the tins and whistles of how Hercules works, you begin to revel in the challenge.

Where the task is random on each level, the number of screens to complete totals fifty. Players ultimately find significant satisfaction from completing each one, and ticking off all the twelve laborers is an achievement. Hercules is a surprisingly good platform game, offering players a challenge while retaining the familiar platforming mechanics we've come to know and love.

Even though Hercules is visually unappealing, it's worth the investment if you're a gamer that enjoys stretching their brain. Considering the patience it requires, it won't be a canon game. But if you can get through the initial hump, it's something you'll ultimately enjoy.

The Strength of a God

We're in the golden age for disastrous platformers if you consider tragic releases like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Dr. Jekyll, and Mr. Hyde. It's easy to be skeptical about throwing your money at a game that doesn't even look attractive visually. However, luckily, Hercules doesn't follow suit or that downward trajectory.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A challenging platformer that turns addictive
• The introductory narrative pairs well with the mechanics
• Great satisfaction in completing each level

Cons:

• Visually not very attractive
• Requires plenty of patience to get started

Okay, now you've digested that title, you'll no doubt be none too surprised to hear that Hercules (for short) is a platform game starring numerous characters (and voices) Disney's 'smash-hit' animation spectacular. It's obviously aimed at kids, so it would be unfair to compare it to anything other than games of a similar ilk. Suffice to say that it looks nice enough (although it does chug in high-res unless played in a microscopic window), contains all the elements you'd expect to see in a Disney platform adventure (except, perhaps, big blue bears singing daft little songs to little boys), and incorporates new psuedo 3D bits that enable you to move Hercules in and out of the action, along with Crash Bandicoot-style running into the screen segments.

Fans of Disney's latest animated feature may be disappointed by the film's side-scrolling PlayStation adaptation, but gamers nostalgic for 2D action won't be.

Hercules puts you in the title character's Air-Hercs for level after level of repetitive platform-style action. Here punches rocks! Here swings on logs! Here slays street thugs! Along the way, you'll discover weapon power-ups, collect coins and letters, and travel in and out of background layers as you prove yourself a true hero.

The main problem is that we've all played this game before, just with different dressings. Disney's Aladdin comes to mind first, but pretty much any movie-tie-in game where the lead character runs to the right, takes out baddies, and collects things will do. And like Donkey Kong Country, once you've found all the secret paths and items, this game's ancient history.

The Hercules feature film may be a blockbuster, but the video game version of this fable falls short of Olympus.

Graphics

Characters pixelate pretty severely when they get close, and the game is more 2D than 3D, but the hand-drawn animation is smooth.

Sound

Crisp tunes and effects have been transplanted straight from the flick. The music's jaunty and hummable without being overly annoying.

Control

The controls may be basic-jump, punch, super punch, and sword are almost all you have to worry about--but they're certainly solid.

Fun Factor

It's nice to see so many elements come straight from the movie, but the traditional gameplay really holds the game back.

Hercules is an interesting action-adventure game that combines colorful Disney-quality animation with sophisticated 3-D graphics.

Hercules is based on the newly released Disney movie, and it follows it quite religiously. There are even actual cinematic clips taken from the movie and incorporated into the game. Although not contributing to gameplay, these contribute to the game's cartoon look which the programmers of Hercules sought to achieve. It is also sure to please fans of the Disney movie.

Of course, you control the muscle-bound Hercules character. The game is mostly action oriented, but it does require that you use your brain and brawn to fight the mythical creatures and villainous enemies you'll find in your quest to live on Mt. Olympus as a god. These enemies include the Hydra, a beastly monster with an assortment of heads that regenerate if decapitated; the one-eyed Cyclops; and the ever-beautiful Medusa. Each of these villains pose different threats to you and will have to be toppled in order for I Hercules to obtain his status as a god on Mt. Olympus.

Not only does the game provide great animation, but the different voices that come from your animated allies add to the ambience of the game. These voices include Danny DeVito as Phil, James Woods as Hades and "Bobcat" Goldthwait as Pain-just like the movie. There are 10 different levels within the game, and each is taken from various scenes in the movie. Most of the levels are that of sidescrolling fare, but there are also 3-D sequences (such as one that is an incredibly long obstacle course) spaced throughout giving the game variety. There are three different worlds within these levels. They consist of Earth. Mt. Olympus and the Underworld.

The graphics in Hercules are impressive, as it meshes 2-D side-scrolling gameplay with 3-D graphics and landscapes. For instance, axes and other 3-D obstacles will swing back and forth, giving the game depth. One notable feature about Hercules is the way he can move in and out of several layers of background scenery, which enhances the overall depth and gives the game an extra element of exploration. Using this, many levels have multiple paths and secret areas that hold extra power-ups and goodies.

In stores now. Hercules is a game that will appeal to both fans of the movie and to gamers who love a good action game.

Overview

Here he is again, the man of the summer, Hercules. He's the lead in a major motion picture and the star of 2 video games. What more could a strong man ask for?

This version of Hercules is a Disney-licensed game based on their smash hit movie by the same title. This is your basic steer-the-hero-through-levels-of-bad-guys-and-save-the-babe type game. There are some extras along the way to keep you on your toes, and the graphics are beautiful.

Gameplay

Hercules is your basic side-scroller platform adventure game. But wait, not every level side scrolls and not every level plays like a platform game. What will you do? My guess is you will have fun. The levels range from the seen-it-before category to the seen-it-before-but-not-very-often category. The game starts off taking you through a rigorous (and long) training course that gives you time to work out any control issues. Normally these types of games give you a couple of short and easy levels and then throw you into the fire. In this game, you get one long, easy level.

After completing the first level, the fun begins as the subsequent levels get a bit shorter and more exciting. The second level has you racing down the road trying to collect items and dodge enemies and obstacles. This would be no problem except the screen is constantly moving so you can't take your time. This level reminded me of the levels in Crash Bandicoot where you ride around on the back of the pig thing. After this level, you go back to a side scroller and eventually you battle giant birds, as well as Medusa and some other meanies. None of the levels are too difficult to make it through, but I did find something I didn't like: the way you saved the game.

I know this does not make sense so hold on while I explain. The normal saving procedure in platform games is beat the boss and complete the level and get prompted to save. Not here. Scattered throughout the level are the letters H-E-R-C-U-L-E-S. If you find all of the letters, you will receive a continue bonus that gives you extra lives. In order to save, you must find the 4 special pots scattered in the levels. If you don't find them, you can't save. You can advance to the next level but you can't save. I understand that they put this in so you don't just rush to the end of the level and finish the game too quickly. It makes you explore more but it is a tad too difficult. I spent hours combing every inch of the training course looking for the letters and pots and came up short every time. I know that the game houses many secret areas but they are nearly impossible to locate. This means that until you find the pots in a level and save, you have to go through the same levels again. And since Hercules is aimed at a younger audience, it will surely frustrate your pre-teen.

On a more positive note, the controls are easy to learn and execute. You will obtain various gifts from the gods that range from a helmet of invincibility to lightning swords. You can easily use the controls to select and use these gifts. The only time controls became an issue is when you find yourself jumping to grab the bars that you spin on. Even though it looked like you should be grabbing the bar, you missed. It takes a little patience to find the right spot to grab it. Once you do find the spot, you grab the first bar and have to do the same thing with the next one. This was not easy.

Another thing that should have been left out of the game is the columns and piles of rocks that you have to continually hit with your sword unit they break. The only time that you were even contested in this was when the Minotaurs were throwing rocks at you so you needed to move out of the way. Most of the time you just sat there and hit and hit until the obstruction finally crumbled away. Since this is a feature of the game, I think they should have added something more to this.

Graphics

All I need to say is one word—Disney. Was I watching the movie or playing the game? Hercules has the smoothest and most life-like motions I have ever seen a character pull off. It appears that Disney gave a lot of attention to the small details in the same way they do with the movies. The backgrounds were all quite colorful and the game is very easy to follow. The best part about everything was the guy in the trench coat that flashes you and drops coins and power-ups in the process. Yes, it's a bit anachronistic, but sometimes I think Disney throws in little things like this for the grown-ups in the audience.

Bottom Line

This is a great game that the whole family will love. It is almost as fun to watch as it is to play. The graphics are beautiful and the controls are adequate, but I wish it was not so hard to save. It was frustrating going through the same levels over and over. All in all, Hercules is a good time.

Overview

Here he is again, the man of the summer, Hercules. He's the lead in a major motion picture and the star of 2 video games. What more could a strong man ask for?

This version of Hercules is a Disney-licensed game based on their smash hit movie by the same title. This is your basic steer-the-hero-through-levels-of-bad-guys-and-save-the-babe type game. There are some extras along the way to keep you on your toes, and the graphics are beautiful.

Gameplay

Hercules is your basic side-scroller platform adventure game. But wait, not every level side scrolls and not every level plays like a platform game. What will you do? My guess is you will have fun. The levels range from the seen-it-before category to the seen-it-before-but-not-very-often category. The game starts off taking you through a rigorous (and long) training course that gives you time to work out any control issues. Normally these types of games give you a couple of short and easy levels and then throw you into the fire. In this game, you get one long, easy level.

After completing the first level, the fun begins as the subsequent levels get a bit shorter and more exciting. The second level has you racing down the road trying to collect items and dodge enemies and obstacles. This would be no problem except the screen is constantly moving so you can't take your time. This level reminded me of the levels in Crash Bandicoot where you ride around on the back of the pig thing. After this level, you go back to a side scroller and eventually you battle giant birds, as well as Medusa and some other meanies. None of the levels are too difficult to make it through, but I did find something I didn't like: the way you saved the game.

I know this does not make sense so hold on while I explain. The normal saving procedure in platform games is beat the boss and complete the level and get prompted to save. Not here. Scattered throughout the level are the letters H-E-R-C-U-L-E-S. If you find all of the letters, you will receive a continue bonus that gives you extra lives. In order to save, you must find the 4 special pots scattered in the levels. If you don't find them, you can't save. You can advance to the next level but you can't save. I understand that they put this in so you don't just rush to the end of the level and finish the game too quickly. It makes you explore more but it is a tad too difficult. I spent hours combing every inch of the training course looking for the letters and pots and came up short every time. I know that the game houses many secret areas but they are nearly impossible to locate. This means that until you find the pots in a level and save, you have to go through the same levels again. And since Hercules is aimed at a younger audience, it will surely frustrate your pre-teen.

On a more positive note, the controls are easy to learn and execute. You will obtain various gifts from the gods that range from a helmet of invincibility to lightning swords. You can easily use the controls to select and use these gifts. The only time controls became an issue is when you find yourself jumping to grab the bars that you spin on. Even though it looked like you should be grabbing the bar, you missed. It takes a little patience to find the right spot to grab it. Once you do find the spot, you grab the first bar and have to do the same thing with the next one. This was not easy.

Another thing that should have been left out of the game is the columns and piles of rocks that you have to continually hit with your sword unit they break. The only time that you were even contested in this was when the Minotaurs were throwing rocks at you so you needed to move out of the way. Most of the time you just sat there and hit and hit until the obstruction finally crumbled away. Since this is a feature of the game, I think they should have added something more to this.

Graphics

All I need to say is one word'Disney. Was I watching the movie or playing the game? Hercules has the smoothest and most life-like motions I have ever seen a character pull off. It appears that Disney gave a lot of attention to the small details in the same way they do with the movies. The backgrounds were all quite colorful and the game is very easy to follow. The best part about everything was the guy in the trench coat that flashes you and drops coins and power-ups in the process. Yes, it's a bit anachronistic, but sometimes I think Disney throws in little things like this for the grown-ups in the audience.

Bottom Line

This is a great game that the whole family will love. It is almost as fun to watch as it is to play. The graphics are beautiful and the controls are adequate, but I wish it was not so hard to save. It was frustrating going through the same levels over and over. All in all, Hercules is a good time.