Tomba

There can never be enough original 2-D platform games, and it looks like Tomba is well on its way to becoming one of those. How else could you describe a game whose plot involves trying to rescue a keepsake from a band of evil pigs?

Goofy plot aside, Tomba is a sidescrolling platform game that meshes 2-D and 3-D graphics together in a slick, colorful package. Your character freely moves throughout the foregrounds and backgrounds of levels, and when the terrain gets rough, he can often scale obstacles to get himself out of trouble. 3-D ledges, obstacles, buildings and plants sway, move and react to Tomba's movements as he climbs about the level, giving the game a distinct look.

Unsurprisingly, the combat is very strange--Tomba dispatches his enemies by leaping onto their backs, then somersaulting them into submission. Feisty opposition can be first stunned with Tomba's mace before he does the deadly pounce. There are plenty of different baddies to get rid of, and doing so often rewards Tomba with a variety of fruits and items.

It's good to see more 2-D platformers on the PlayStation. Such revelations can only please old-school gamers who wish to see such a loved genre revitalized.

If you think your world is full of pigs, just wait 'til you play Tomba!

In this topnotch action/platform game imported from Japan, Tomba, a plucky little cave dude with pink hair, embarks on a heroic adventure to rid his primeval fantasy land of evil invading pigs by defeating seven pig masters and completing 130 events.

A strong repertoire of moves and stellar controls make Tomba the prince of platforms as he scales walls, climbs ropes, and swings through the air like Tarzan. To pulverize the porkers, Tomba has a mean pig-mashing bodyslam and oinker-boinking weapons that include boomerangs and a lethal yo-yo.

Tomba's graphics shine, too. They're 2D and cartoony, but nicely textured to create an artsy 3D look for a primitive land that's been terror-formed by bad pigs.

Skillfully crafted classic gameplay and bacon-frying challenges make Tomba a winner. Moreover, it's the brainchild of Tokuro Fujiwara, the creator of Mega Man and Ghouls 'N Ghosts. Not a bad lineage and another compelling reason to pig out on this solid platform game.

Graphics

Tomba's clean cartoon graphics feature unusual textures and muted colors that give this 2D game an impressive 3D feel. There are sidescrolling and isometric views, and the gameplay moves from foreground to background,too.

Control

The controls are crisp and tight, enabling Tomba to perform the quick, precise moves he needs to navigate the sometimes tricky obstacles. The easy-to-use inventory screen allows you to arm Tomba with Items that give the gameplay great depth.

Sound

The sounds are just all right. The music's limited to one catchy but repetitive, goofy tune. The effects are minimal to an extreme, with a few grunts, whelps, and precious little else.

Fun Factor

For action/platform fans this game's a big, fat GO! There's plenty of exploration and puzzle-solving across an expansive landscape--and you get to retire porkers, too.

Joining the 2D action/platform ranks is Sony's Tomba. Instead of relying solely on twitch-gaming skills, however, Tomba incorporates RPG elements. You'll collect and maintain an inventory of weapons and other items, and converse with various characters throughout your journey. Tomba is set in a fairy-tale land where you play a warrior trying to retrieve an artifact stolen by some evil pigs. Working in concert with the plot is a nonlinear gameplay scheme with several areas to explore. Info on the game is scant at this time; but we'll have more on Tomba in an upcoming issue.