C&VG


Tintin On The Moon

Author: Paul Rand
Publisher: Infogrames
Machine: Atari ST

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #97

Tintin On The Moon

On an isolated missile base deep in the heart of Switzerland, Europe's top scientists are putting the finishing touches to the world's first moon rocket. On board, the intrepid crew of Tin Tin, his faithful hound Snowy and his chums Captain Haddock and the Prof check the in-flight computers, not realising that the dastardly Colonel Boris and his gang of evil henchmen have also joined the lunar party, intent on wrecking the mission in their own despicable way. The countdown begins - and so does out continental hero's debut adventure on home computer.

Colonel Boris and his gang have set about lighting fires and planting bombs in each of the rooms of the rocket. Sensing that something is amiss, Tin Tin and Snowy go to investigate. In a mad dash through five different stages, each with a rapidly decreasing time limit, Tin Tin must ensure that all the bombs are defused, all the fires are extinguished and Colonel Boris is disarmed and no longer poses any threat to the mission.

Once a level is cleared of danger, the scene changes to a third-person perspective 3D view of the rocket, hurtling through space. The aim of the game is to collect eight red energy orbs, needed to give the ship the necessary boost required to move that bit closer to the moon.

Tintin On The Moon

Tin Tin On The Moon opens with a superb animated sequence of the rocket's launch from Earth, and this high quality presentation is echoed throughout. Each of the main characters is instantly recognisable from the cartoon series, both in how they look and the way they charge about the place with reckless abandon. The sound effects are great, too.

However, although everything looks and sounds first class, the game itself is far, far too easy - I got to the last level on my second go, and would probably have completed the game had I persevered for another hour or so. As the majority of the game is split between only two different game styles, the lasting appeal is questionable. Saying that, the lack of difficulty and, indeed, the licence itself, make this an ideal Christmas pressie for younger gamers, or those of you out there who haven't the time, patience or ability to sit and master a more complex game.

Atari ST

An admirable computer rendition of the ageless cartoon character's exploits, but the lack of difficulty makes this more suited to younger players or computer game novices.

Paul Rand

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