Zzap


Titanic Blinky

Author: Mark Caswell
Publisher: Zeppelin Games
Machine: Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Zzap #82

Most people claim to see a ghost at least once in their lives. And this could be the time for Zzap readers 'coz ol' sheet-head is back. Mark Caswell goes spooking!

Titanic Blinky

Arthur J. Hackensack is a nasty man, a very nasty man, a very, very nasty man, a very... [Yes we get the idea, Corky! - Ed]. He is a power-mad billionaire whose major aim in life is world domination [Hmm... not a bad ambition - Man Ed]. To this end, he has kidnapped prominent scientist Professor Frobisher Goonhilly, and is even now forcing him to build a negative psyche machine.

Transformational Trouble

Using the strange matter-warping properties of the machine, Hackensack turns the Isle Of Wight into a huge custard slice (Yum, yum, I'm starving!). City after city is being transformed into weird and amusing shapes. New York is now a large bath sponge, the Eiffel Tower is a toast rack and the ravens at the Tower of London are rather startled ostriches. All to demonstrate Hackensack's evil intent [What's he doing in a tent? - Ed].

Heave Ho And Up She Rises

The conventional forces are helpless, and this is where Blinky comes in. As an agent of SPECTRE (Society for the Prevention of Ectoplasmic Crime Telekinetic misuse and Reality Endangerment), Blinky has a suitcase full of disguises and an ecto-plasmic gun. As well as defacing national monuments, Hackensack has also found the final resting place of the SS Titanic. He has lifted it from the bottom of the sea, and is even now using it as his HQ.

Titanic Blinky

On Level One, Blinky has to leap from platform to platform and collect musical notes. But there are a variety of creatures ready to send our phantasmagorical pal back to Hades (well, they can't kill a ghost!). As Blinky moves around the deck of the ship he comes across snail-shell-shaped (try saying that three times quickly) items.

Aquatic Antics Ahoy

Shoot them to reveal either musical notes or bombs (Sod's Law says there are more bombs than notes - bleedin' typical). Once all the notes have been collected it's up to the funnel to play a little tune on the whistle. This gives Blinky access to the bridge, and some scuba gear (Jacques Cousteau eat yer heart out). Can our spooky pal stop Hackensack before he takes over the world? Chuck a blanket over your head and find out!

Just before I left Crash, I reviewed the Speccy version of Titanic Blinky, and I'm pleased to say that I enjoyed the Commie game just as much. I'm not usually a great one for platform games; actually I swear loudly and throw the joystick across the room within ten minutes. But after several hours of playing this game, I'm still hooked.

Titanic Blinky

There are puzzles, but luckily they're simple enough to solve without resorting to physical violence. Ghosts are generally thought to be horrid creatures that scare the poo out of us mortals. But Blinky is such a cute little chap with his bright red boots and cheery smile, who could be afraid of him? Overall Titanic Blinky is a steal at four quid. Go out and buy it this instant.

Second Opinion

What a corker! Blinky himself could be better drawn, but the rest of the game just oozes charm and playability. How they made a machine-gun-wielding ghost into a cutesy character I'll never know, but they've done it, and done it well!

Titanic Blinky has something for everyone. The baddy-blasting will appeal to shoot-'em-up fans, the platform elements should keep the run-and-jump freaks well amused, and mappers will have a field day! Tight execution, strong gameplay and pots of character lift Titanic Blinky out of the ordinary, and make it one of the best games yet on the Zeppelin label. Here's to the next Blinky game!

Verdict

Titanic Blinky

Presentation 85%
Amusing presentation screen, and no multi-load.

Graphics 87%
Blinky and the meanies are well drawn and animated.

Sound 80%
Decent title tune and atmospheric in-game effects.

Titanic Blinky

Hookability 86%
The moment ol' sheet-bonce appears, you're hooked.

Lastability 85%
This is a midnight candle burner, and no mistake.

Overall 87%

Mark Caswell

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