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The Smurfs’ Nightmare
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Graphics & Sound:
Smurferrific? Well, pretty good anyway. The Smurfs look very much like their Saturday morning cartoon counterparts, and the enemies... well, they’re cute. From the oversized forks trying to stab me in the Kitchen of Danger to the evil flying books in the Library of Fear, I didn’t know whether to laugh or take cover. And don’t get me started on those rolling natives on the Mysterious Planet! The playful way that the enemies are handled is one reason that The Smurfs’ Nightmare would be a great choice for kids. The sound effects and music match the levels very well, and manage to be perky without being irritating.
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Gameplay:
The Smurfs’ Nightmare is a side-scrolling Mario-esque platform. You assume the role of Hefty Smurf in your quest to rescue your friends from a Gargamel-inflicted spell in which they are trapped in their worst nightmares. It’s up to you to enter their houses and save them by picking up special items needed to continue your journey. Along the way, you’ll meet characters who help you and in turn, need your help. Scattered in between the standard nightmare levels are bonus levels and “mini-game” levels like the Rabbit Ride, which offer some variety. The levels are fun and pretty standard fare for platforms. Beware the bosses at the level’s end, though. They look exactly like the other evil Smurfs you’ve been stomping throughout the levels - only these guys take way more to kill!
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Difficulty:
There are two levels of difficulty - Easy and Hard. Easy still takes some effort, and the fact that you restart the level when you die (yes - even if you are right at the end!) makes it more of a challenge. Plus, they don’t give you a password with the completion of each level. You have to complete a series of levels first, but it is a healthy challenge and provides hours of gameplay. If played on Hard, the only difference is that you have to stomp the enemies twice to kill them, plus they come back. Doh!
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Game Mechanics:
Well, The Smurfs’ Nightmare is a platform, so you have the standard jumping, crouching, swimming, stomping enemies and such. Unusual stuff included riding in bubbles (which are also used in the water levels as an air supply), blasting into the air from a crater, and also changing the level layout by moving Smurf statues. You’ll see what I mean when you play it. One more nifty feature - the passwords are different Smurf faces. Very cute. Overall, a very cool game which can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
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-Psibabe, GameVortex Communications AKA Ashley Perkins |
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