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One does not simply create an outstanding platformer based on the Lord Of The Rings franchise, in this case however, that is exactly what Cristian Gonzalez and Alvin Albrecht have done with this game. Gandalf is a platform game with heavy influences coming from the Super Mario Brothers game. The game has been coded in C using Nirvana+ to wonderful effect. Before the game even begins, the stage is set when a wonderful 8-bit rendition of the Lord of the Rings theme welcomes you to the start screen. This is a sign of things to come as the sound throughout the game is excellent despite the absence of in-level music.

The game is set many years after the events of the final book in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. (The Return of the King). Gandalf has returned to rid the Land of the four remaining demons. This time there is no fellowship to help but he comes equipped with his staff which is more than capable of disposing of the various enemies he encounters along the way.

The usual options are available on the start screen with keys and joystick to choose from. The controls are tight and responsive and you will soon get used to making precise jumps accurately. The graphics are cute and colourful and the animation is smooth. There is a clash of colours now and again which is unavoidable and sometimes Gandalf seems to be in the floor as opposed to on it but this has no adverse effect on the gameplay.

Power-ups come in the form of Super Mario Brothers' blocks which work in the familiar way, when hit from below they release power-ups in the form of mushrooms which need to be caught in order to receive the new ability. It’s not the most original of ideas but it works well and adds an instant familiarity to the gameplay. The level design is excellent and sometimes requires some thought on how best to traverse the level successfully while collecting all of the power-ups.

The game has a gradual learning curve and you enjoy the action along the way as you build your skill set and become familiar with the attack patterns of the various enemies. Each one of the four Demons (which you must vanquish if you are to save the realm) come with their own set of weaknesses to be exploited and are fun battles to engage in. The final showdown with the eye takes slightly longer but this is not a game that will take an avid gamer long to finish and with a bit of practice can be finished in around 45 minutes.

The gameplay is instantly familiar and enjoyable due to its similarities to the Super Mario Brothers game. The level design is excellent and it is great fun playing through them. The sound is good throughout and the power-up system is used well. There are several nods to the Lord of the Rings books peppered throughout the game which will delight fans of the series.

There is no in-game music which is a real shame. Although the starting theme and completion theme are excellent it would have made the game better to have had the soundtrack within the levels themselves. There is a flicker in levels on every system from original hardware to various emulators which can become annoying at times but after a while, you stop noticing it. The game is quite short with only four levels.

Gandalf was a wonderful surprise. I instantly enjoyed the gameplay and level design which never gets boring or repetitive. It is a compliment of sorts that I enjoyed the game so much that I wanted more but I felt a bit deflated to have finished the game so soon. This could be a wonderful sign of things to come from these fantastic programmers and I would highly recommend the game to everyone who enjoys the genre.