Total Game Boy
28th December 2000
Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Machine: Game Boy Color
Published in Total Game Boy Issue 15
Long ago, through the mists of time, lived a man of mystery. A Pagan soothsayer, and confidence of a great King...
Merlin
A semi-historical figure representative of an older faith, a worshipper of the Old Gods, and also apparently a crazy little geezer with a stupid beard who wanders around predictable landscapes jumping on moving platforms.
Brought Up To Be A Pagan
This game does for Arthurian Legend what a dollop of dog poo does for a trifle. There was a considerable amount of excitement here when we knew a Merlin game was coming in - with images of Dark Ages-style magic and puzzles, and brave men fighting dragons and so on. What we got was a below-average platformer with almost nothing to offer the discerning games enthusiast. The Merlin name in the past has lent itself to engrossing, even meaningful games, but you could really change this cartoony sprite into a tap-dancing giraffe with a Policeman's helmet on with no questions asked.
Conceivably, An Unenlightened Heathen
Merlin makes his clumsy way around the Human Realms and the realms of the elements (Air, Water, etc) - how original! - moving like a sack of coal while shooting fairies and ghosts, who themselves are under the control of some evil dragon... or something. If you work your way through each four-level, password-controlled realm, each with their own samey boss at the end, the people of the realm thank you in a particularly soppy way for helping them out.
Strangely, they don't seem to thank you for shooting all their friends in the face, though. Once you've made it all the way through, that's it - Game Over. Unfortunately, it's about as magical as a courgette in vinegar. And just as engrossing.
Second Opinion
The worst crime this game commits is in how Merlin handles - poorly! Jumping is simply bad and often results in a mistimed leap into deathsville!
Whilst not as bad as other similar titles, there is nothing interesting in this game to warrant putting it in your collection alongside Wario or Tomb Raider. Now, that's tragic - say "Yes Paul"!
Verdict
Graphics 80%
Cartoon-ish fun, it's true.
Sound 80%
Nothing wrong here.
Playability 40%
Merlin can't jump right!
Lastability 20%
A short, predictable adventure.
Overall 54%
Someone cast a spell on the creators!
Screenshots
