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Initially you battle some generic UFOs and bouncing balls, but later face eyeballs, insects, and large slimy creatures. The screen scrolls up and down, but there's little incentive to take risks. As a result, you tend to remain in your own little area and be defensive. The dull, unsatisfying stages are endless parades of enemies moving in predictable patterns. I especially hate when they line up single-file, preventing you from getting a shot at them.
It's hard to believe that Gates of Zendocon was play-tested at all; it seems like very little thought was put into the stage designs. And what's up with the music? Is that an accordion I hear?? Please make it stop! When Gates of Zendocon is finally over, you're awarded with a huge, seven-digit score, but it doesn't mean much. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
The top area conveys an overhead view of your fighter, the maze, and the well-designed creatures. A box on the lower right lists your vital stats, and the lower left displays impressive scaling images of monsters and treasure as you approach them on the main screen. Going beyond the standard D&D character classes, you can also assume the unconventional roles of a pirate, nerd, cowboy, or punk rocker. To be honest, it doesn't make a heck of a lot of difference what you are.
Like previous versions of Gauntlet, gameplay involves exploring dungeon mazes while shooting monsters and collecting keys and treasure. The problem with this game is your projectiles move too slow, and you're constantly being overwhelmed by hordes of creatures. Okay, you could probably say that about any Gauntlet, but here your firepower is simply no match. Fortunately, there are no "portals" to generate new monsters (unlike previous Gauntlets).
Blasting a monster causes it to shrink and disappear, and while it's a neat visual effect, it's not nearly as satisfying as blasting the thing to bits. Lacking the frantic shooting action the series is known for, this Gauntlet falls flat. Third Encounter does allow multiple Lynx systems to "link up" for cooperative action, but I suspect this is a rare occurrence. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.
Gordo is a sharp platformer with impressively large characters. Some of these people are screen-sized. Gordo is well animated, and I especially like how he unlocks cages to release bunnies. He looks hilarious when running with his arms over his head or celebrating at the end of a stage. Gordo hurls apples at lab doctors who look like Larry David. The stages feature all the normal elements - conveyor belts, lights to swing on, and timed flame traps.
The problem is, our poor little monkey is constantly bumping his head, triggering a brief but annoying "dizzy" animation. This makes sense when positioned in a tight space, but more often than not he bumps his head on the top of the screen! If there's a ceiling up there, they really should show it! Many areas call for a long jump, but the platforms are too narrow for a running start. Even when you do have some room the running controls are erratic.
And then there are the obligatory "leaps of faith". When you fall, you'll find yourself in an underground level, where you think you have a new lease on life. Then you are suddenly incinerated. Occasionally you'll fall into a bonus room with all sorts of items to collect and cages to unlock. I never said Gordo 106 made a lot of sense. After losing all your lives you get a game over screen, but you have to turn the system off and on to play again. Gordo is an average platformer, but if it brings people's attention to the inhumane treatment of animals I guess it served its purpose. © Copyright 2018 The Video Game Critic.
But what's most impressive is your ability to "boost" into the air at breathtaking heights for short periods of time. While you're up there, you can shoot blimps and helicopters while collecting floating items. From the water, targets and obstacles tend to be chunky and hard to make out, but there's a nice amount of variation in the scenery, making it fun to see what the next level looks like.
Though technically impressive, Hydra does stumble in the gameplay department. First, you need to hold the control pad down to accelerate, which is more than a little awkward. And then there's a problem with the difficulty. I could play the easy skill level all day, but the medium difficulty is terribly frustrating, with hard-to-avoid missiles and a fuel tank that always seems to be on empty. When all is said and done, it's pretty much a wash. I did find it amusing that the hero's close-up image looks exactly like Arnold Schwarzenegger with a mullet haircut. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
The game helps you follow the ball by placing a box where you need to position yourself. You then need to press A or B to execute a forehand or backhand. Between getting into position, choosing the correct hand, and timing your shot the game is surprisingly tough. An attractive female referee announces the score between points.
While playable, Jimmy Connors Tennis lacks razzle-dazzle. It would be nice to have a cut-scene or special animation to accentuate an exceptional play. I also would have preferred the option to play a single set instead of the best of three. I don't have all day Jimmy! As it is, Jimmy Connors' Tennis is challenging enough but could use a dash of excitement. © Copyright 2017 The Video Game Critic.
At first I was apprehensive about this scaled-down version. The graphics look exactly like the arcade but during the first few waves feel a bit sluggish, as if the Lynx wasn't up to the task. Well, that's not the case at all. As wave progress and things become more intense with more flyers and eggs bouncing around, the game actually runs progressively faster while maintaining a smooth frame-rate.
I've been playing Joust for decades so I know a few tricks. You want to remain above the fray whenever possible. When you spawn on the bottom platform it's very easy to get hemmed in. Let enemies come down to you. Also, don't let eggs sit idle, as they will hatch new enemies.
I love the screeching pyrodactyl and can't resist taking a shot at him. It's a tricky maneuver to stab him in the mouth, but I find that remaining flat on a platform as he lunges toward you is your best chance. Fluttering too close to the lava causes the hand of the lava troll to reach up and try to pull you under. Flap like your life depends on it! On the other hand, it's fun to take advantage of distressed foes in his grasp.
Joust for the Lynx is excellent, offering nine difficulty levels and even a two-player "com-lynx" option. I never considered Joust to be "sexy" looking game, but when it comes to pure arcade excitement it's hard to top. © Copyright 2023 The Video Game Critic.
Klax assumes a vertical screen configuration, meaning you'll need to hold the system longways. It makes a lot of sense once you start to play. You're staring at the end of a long, five-lane ramp with tiles flipping towards you. The idea is to catch them and deposit them into "loading bins". Line up three or more colors horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in the bins and they disappear. Some stages require specific objectives, like completing three diagonal "klaxes".
There's more to the game than meets the eye. In addition to thoughtfully placing each tile, you also have the option to kick the current one you're holding back up the ramp. This is very useful when you want to place the next tile before your current one, creating a very cool "juggling" dynamic.
Klax also has more pizzazz than your typical puzzler. A female voice introduces each round and might even chime in with "yeah!" if you do something good. The sound of an audience clapping is heard upon completing each level. I also enjoyed the various backdrops like clouds or a forest.
Klax really is a showcase title for the Lynx, offering pseudo-3D graphics, voice synthesis, and sophisticated, thought-provoking gameplay. I'm not the most cerebral gamer but I know a good game when I see it, and this one fits the Lynx like a glove. © Copyright 2024 The Video Game Critic.
Kung Food is a wacky side-scrolling beat-em-up that puts you in control of a diminutive naked green muscleman. Would it have been too much trouble to put some pants on this poor guy? Moving through various locations in a kitchen you punch and kick your way through an endless army of vegetables, bugs, ice monsters, and rats. Your control is limited to basic kicks and punches, and you can't interact with the scenery.
Most enemies require multiple hits to kill, but it's hard to line up with them and even harder to tell if you're doing any damage. Additional obstacles like spikes appear without warning and inflict cheap hits. The characters are quite large but not particularly well animated. There's a fine line between zany and stupid, and Kung Food crosses that line often. On the bright side, compared to Kung Food, most other Lynx titles are terrific! © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
The first, Banana Ghost, is about as scary as its name would imply. You move a stereotypical white ghost around a series of rooms, trying to scare some dude through doors so he can escape. The problem is, each scare sends him bouncing mindlessly around the room and it takes him forever to stop.
Bathman is the most offbeat of the bunch. It stars a sexy vamp named Letitia seen in digitized form on the game's intro screen! So she's taking a bath in a huge caudron. You control a little vampire bat trying to perform tasks in response to her supplications. I can throw logs in the fire to heat her "bath", but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do after that. She always ends up whipping me into submission.
Black Pit is the most esoteric game of the collection. Designed to be played with earphones, you use sound cues to navigate a pitch dark maze. It's a really cool concept but I couldn't figure it out. The map screen is extremely hard to make out and takes forever to render. Am I supposed to be that white pixel? I don't get it.
Krow features an excellent title screen depicting a crow sitting on a graveyard fence as weird organ music plays. Viewing your bird from behind, you glide over a foggy landscape with a huge moon looming in the sky. Objects scale in from the distance, mostly skulls. You need to dodge these while catching crescent-shape "moonbeams". I wish there was some kind of feedback when you caught one. Collect 30 for the win. It's shallow but the atmosphere is very nice.
Sorrow is what you might describe as Zelda Lite. You move a little warrior armed with a sword around a maze of rooms that all look the same. Clear each room of monsters and doors open. I appreciate how they remain open when you backtrack, but there's little sense of progress. It's not scary either, although I suppose the music is a bit eerie.
Fortunately they saved the best for last. Does anybody remember Plants Vs. Zombies (Xbox 360, 2010)? In that game you would strategically place weapons on one side of the screen to fend off waves of zombies. Zap reinvents this classic for the Lynx, and it's by far the most addictive and enjoyable game of the bunch.
So there you have it. I'm not assigning a grade to LynxJam 2021 because none of these games are fully-realized. My biggest gripe is that there's no easy way to switch between games; you have to turn the system off and on to get back to the menu. That said, these little ditties can be fun to noodle around with on a chilly October afternoon. © Copyright 2024 The Video Game Critic.