Total Game Boy


Antz
By Infogrames
Game Boy Color

 
Published in Total Game Boy Issue 05

Get yourself a kettle full of hot water and come with us...

Antz

Woody Allen so expertly played the role of Z (or Z-4195 to give him his proper name) in the overshadowed film Antz, but alas he wasn't around to inject life into this insectoid romp. The film was slyly aimed at the more adult market, unlike its rival A Bug's Life, but the game has its roots firmly in the land of kiddy entertaining!

Starring as Z, the Woody Allen character, Antz is your average excursion through the world of the ant. Taking in such sights as the bottom of people's sneakers to the dizzying heights of a blade of grass this mildly entertaining affair will satisfy, in just about the right doses.

Climbing ropes, collecting rings and eventually trying to win the heart of Princess Bala is the order of the day, but nothing really sets this game apart from its contemporaries. For one, Z looks more lie an emaciated stick insect rather than the neurotic drone he was in the film, but thankfully Infogrames have stuck closely to the film plot, incorporating every aspect they feasibly could. Even the dastardly wasps are thrown in to give the game a sting in its tail. Geddit?

Antz

Eventually, although this will entertain until its last flicker on screen, it is nothing more than your bog standard platform game. The Game Boy Color does it fantastic justice, lavishing us with some truly sexy graphics... but, when you strip it down to its bare components, it could be any other above-average platform game. It may be one to try if you're fed up with Infogrames' other offering Lucky Luke. Just a thought!

Second Opinion

Are you a fan of platform games? If you're not, then move on over to the next page because Antz is another hop, skip and jump platform game in the long line... and I'm sure that there will be many more to come in the future too!

The graphics are fine for a Game Boy Color, the story follows the movie closely and the gameplay is pretty run-of-the-mill. If you liked the film, then get this. Otherwise, steer clear.

Verdict

Antz

Graphics 80%
Fab and miniature fantasy.

Sound 60%
Cute - especially for bugs!

Playability 60%
Average, like the gameplay.

Lastability 80%
It will last, but will you?

Overall 75%
A Bug's Life wins... again!