Mean Machines


Back To The Future Part III
By Image Works
Sega Mega Drive (EU Version)

 
Published in Mean Machines #17

Back To The Future Part III

After his first accidental foray into the world of continuum-hopping, there's been no stopping Marty McFly. Whether it's buying sporting almanacs from the future to make lots of dough in the past, playing heavy metal concerts in the 1950s or even changing the course of history itself, Marty has got what it takes to be a true time traveller.

In this game, based around the third and final part of the Back To The Future film trilogy, Marty goes back to the 1880's to rescue his pal Doc Brown who was accidentally sent back to that era when his time travelling DeLorean was struck by lightning. Along the way, Marty also has to thwart the evil ways of Mad Dog Tannen's gang, headed by an ancestor of Marty's arch enemy, Biff!

Back To The Future III adopts the familiar game-of-the-film format with each level representing a different scene from the film. There are four levels in all, the ultimate one being a ride atop a speeding train as Doc and Marty attempt to get the DeLorean up to 88mph so they can make the final time jump home.

Level One

Back To The Future Part III

Calamity has struck! A buckboard carriage being driven by school ma'am Clara Clayton is out of control and is about to crash off a nearby cliff! Controlling Doc on his trusty steed, the player must stop her from plunging to her doom. Making life difficult are a veritable hail of deadly household objects flying off the cart, as well as hazardous ravins and bushes!

Level Two

At the village hoedown, Marty's given the chance to show off his top marksmanship abilities in the shooting gallery. There are loads of targets to shoot, and Marty must blast the requisite amount to be able to progress to level three.

Level Three

Mad Dog's gang are holed up in town and Marty must bring them all to justice. The only problem is that the gang are armed with guns, and all Marty has is a great pile of frisbee pie dishes!

Level Four

Back To The Future Part III

The final level is set atop a speeding train which is pushing along the DeLorean time machine. Hazards abound as Marty collects the charges which are required to get the train up to 88mph and thus return the heroes to the present day.

Rich

Back To The Future III is an instantly playable game that should go down well with fans of the film. Each of the four levels tests your arcade skills very differently, from the instant reflexes needed when you're cashing after Clara's runaway carriage to the pinpoint accuracy required for the shooting gallery.

On the whole, the graphics are pretty good, with the Wild West atmosphere captured perfectly. The sprites and backdrops are all well defined, and the animation is good too. What I didn't like much about the game was the rather naff music and the lack of levels.

Back To The Future Part III

It didn't take me more than a day or so to see the whole game and I couldn't help wanting a lot more from the package. It's also a bit of a cheek asking Megadrive owners to pay ten quid extra for what is basically an Amiga game that retailed at £25.00.

If it's variety in your gameplay you're after, Back To The Future III scores highly - but it's just too easy to see everything the game offers.

Julian

I must admit that I really enjoyed playing this. The four different levels are varied and fun, particularly the pie dish singing third level, and I found myself constantly going back for another shot.

Back To The Future Part III

The problem is, though, that it doesn't take more than a day or two to go through the entire game, and once you've done that, the appeal starts to wear off. If there had been more levels, this would have been a superb film tie-in. The graphics and sound are both good, and as I've already said, it's great fun to play.

However, its lack of challenge means that only Megadrive beginners will really get their money's worth.

Verdict

Presentation 76%
Amusing intermissions, but no options. In-game presentation is smart.

Back To The Future Part III

Graphics 84%
Some great sprites and animation throughout.

Sound 80%
A selection of good quality tunes and frontier-world style effects accompany the action.

Playability 86%
Very addictive at first, with the four levels offering plenty of varied and highly enjoyable action...

Lastability 61%
...but once you've completed it (which doesn't take that long), the appeal starts to wear off.

Overall 77%
A varied and thoroughly enjoyable film tie-in which is let down only by its lack of lasting appeal.