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77 Attempts is powered and developed with CPCTelera. It is a platforming videogame based on the original and hugely popular PC flash game Super Meat Boy. Ãlvaro Jover, Jordi Amoros and Cristian Garcia have combined their efforts to create an outstandingly playable platformer which will challenge your reflexes along with your sanity [So true, I have gone crazy playing this game - Ed]

In the story you play as Alex who the synopsis describes as "a nice creature who has lost his beloved, the queen of gravity. The evil villain Attempo has kidnapped her to absorb her powers and reverse the gravity of the planet. Attempo is on vacation and is the perfect opportunity for our hero to go and save his beloved. Attempo's evil henchmen will try to stop Alex, who will have to be quick to avoid all the traps set by the despicable Attempo".

As the main title says, the player will have 77 Attempts to complete the 56 levels. Sounds easy right? Think again! Like Super Meat Boy those lives disappear quicker than a reasonably priced copy of Daze Before Christmas! Before you know it your lives are spent and you are facing the turmoil of having to go through it all again. With a groan, you start over with a newfound determination and within seconds are filled with joy at the superb platforming on offer. You soon forget the frustration as the Godlike skills you developed on the previous go make the first few stages a breeze. Filled with confidence you reach the same level and this time succeed! Few games manage that small progression with every go as well as this. It's what keeps you coming back for more and what makes this game stand out amongst its peers!

The controls of the game are the standard platforming affair with left, right and jump. The additional skill of wall jumping is also available and you soon become used to the physics of both meaning you can accurately control those pixel perfect jumps. You have real control over this, especially when playing with keys so when you die you are left blaming yourself instead of the mechanics! The graphics are cute and charming. They are purposefully basic to capture that 8 bit feel perfectly and the main character is full of personality, so much so that you feel bad each of the hundreds of times you kill him! The learning curve is such that it draws you into the game and doesn't let go.

The game is full of character and personality. The platforming, although challenging, is accurate and fair throughout. The learning curve is such that it keeps you progressing and coming back for more. Even upon completion of the game you will revisit it to see if you can do it in fewer lives/attempts. Sometimes the speed feels uncontrollable and the slightest mistake is punished with instant death but then you do have 77 attempts. The anti gravity sections add variety but aren't as enjoyable as the straight forward platforming.

This is a fine example of what can be accomplished in terms of platforming greatness on the CPC. The game frustratingly fantastic and captures the essence of Super Meat Boy perfectly. I will return to this over the years to come and rage quit it all over again!