Amiga Computing - Commodore Is Awesome

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INTRONICTION
latforrners are regular cannon fodder in the
laser-mounted sights of cynical reviewers.
Constant complaints of the genre being dead
and ready for burial are levelled at the software
houses - yet the platform phenomena keeps rolling
onwards.
This particular reviewer doesn't actually have a
problem with a game style that has been round for the
last 14 years or so as long as it's done well. Take a look
at Flashback on the Amiga or Donkey Kong Country on
the SNES and it's obvious there's still life in the genre
yet - it just takes a little time, imagination and a fresh
GRAPHICS
While effective, Ruffian's visual presenta•
tion is of a decidedly average quality. The
main character. Ruffian, while 'packed
with character', is not exactly the most
satisfying of sprites to see leaping from
platform to platform. Like all jump-'emups
these days, he too has his own little
routines when left standing still for too
long - the most memorable one being a
full-on moonie.
The other creatures that infest the forest
are again average, with not much in
the way of character. The gorillas are
especially badly drawn and walk round as
if they have a corn cob stuck in a particularly
sensitive orifice. Another annoyance
is that some of the platforms and enemies
can sometimes blend all too easily in
to the background. While adding to the
challenge, it can also lay on the frustration
in large thick wads as you fall for the
fourth time down a level and have to
work your way round again.
While the multi-directional scrolling is
of a high quality, the lack of any parallax
scrolling and the PD-ish look of the
whole game really doesn't make one
ache to get further into it on a search for
graphical delights, but just to turn the
computer off.
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SOUND
pair of eyes to see the possibilities of increasing the
genres potential.
Enter Ruffian then, the latest recruit to the platform-
ing ranks. Set in a jungle, you take on the unfortunate
role of Ruffian, a cross between Tanen Mowgii from
the Jungle Book and Sid the Sexist. The mission is to set
free a certain amount of pixies caught up in carnivorous
plants dotted over the scrolling landscape of each
level. The player achieves this by spitting plant seeds to
liberate the little fellas and also take out the various
creatures that festoon the dimbable vegetation.
Once done, race to the exit to move onto the next
level Dotted all over the place are jewels. gold cups,
potions and spells that can be used to progress further
into the game. And that's pretty much it.
The various effects that make
up the atmospheric soundtrack
of Ruffian are probably
the game's strongest area.
The jungle noise of crickets
clicking in the background is
complimented by the
screeches and calls of unseen
animals- While it's all rather
cliched, it works well.
The most novel and perhaps
gross sound effect is the
guttural noises of Ruffian as
he fires a healthful glob of
flem-covered, bullet-like
seeds at anything that moves.
Charming...
OPINION
L rap and
dash through
the mufti
scrolling
levels in the
search of
pixies
At first, it's easy to pass this game off without so much
as a second glance. unfortunately, for the reviewer, on
second, third, fourth and fifth intense gazes at the
screen, it doesn't really get any better. Ruffian can be
best described as a game that uncomfortably lands
somewhere between PD and a fully-fledged commercial
release.
On its good side, there are a couple of novel elements.
Firstly there's the spitting of seeds which requires
aiming Ruffian's head with the left and right keys and
then releasing the fire button to send the seed hurtling
on its way to its destination. Then, having to shoot the
pixies to release them can involve bouncing said seeds
off walls to reach them - a nice idea.
The game tries to imitate instead of establish its own
Another
platiormer graces the
Amiga. Adam Phillips goes
into the jungle to find out if it's any good or
Ruffian
simply another lethargic run 'n' jump effort
On finding the
little stackers, spit a
seed to fre e the m
from ca ptivity
One of the e ndmfle
ve t-style bosses tha t
must be de stroye d to
reach pre viously
inaccessible areas
platforming identity. On your travels, power-ups are
available which increase firepower, make your jumps
higher and give other intially tempting bonuses such as a
magic carpet- End-of-level-like bosses have to be
destroyed to reach particular points but unfortunately,
all these usually enticing elements, which probably
sounded good on paper, seem rather half-hearted and
simply fail to capture the adrenaline or imagination of
the player.
The game is certainly a challenge with its time limits
and tough goings on through the large areas of each
level, but the whole experience leaves you with an
empty feeling of having seen and done this all before
Not a platformer I on recommend, unfortunately - perhaps
those cynical reviewers were right after all.