Menneisyys
12-05-2006, 09:52 PM
Momentum Games, developers of well-known, high-quality titles like Pocket Mini Golf 2 (see review & comparison here (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/_archives/apr06/golf.aspx)), has just come up with a remarkable, new, platform-like game. Since there are very few really good platformer games for the Pocket PC (SuperTux (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=986&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1), Gold Miner Joe (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&title=viex_games_released_great_platform_scrol&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1), the free OpenJazz (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=810&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more810), Bayside Studios' Quigley's Quest 1.10 (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp), the not-sold-any-more Rayman Ultimate (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp) by Gameloft or the non-WM5-compliant, now-free Tommy Kombat (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&title=great_platformer_game_tommy_kombat_now_a&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1) come to mind as examples, in addition to N.I’s great Retro Games collection (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp) and the to-be-released Titus’ Prehistorik clone Prehistoric (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&title=three_great_new_games_to_come&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1)), I gave it a test ride right away.
http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/MeltdownMain1.jpg
While the game isn’t exactly a traditional platform game (unlike the above-listed games) but more of a logic / puzzle game (in this respect it’s a bit like, for example, Lemmings, Cavemen (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=931&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1), AIM productions’ Tmax or Astraware’s Mazera, reviewed in the Roundup of All Pocket PC Games Part I (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp)). It is also slightly similar to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum Jet Pac (http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zxspectrum/spec1648.htm) (screenshot here (http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/images/jetpac.gif)), one of the favourite games of my childhood.
Availability
The game is available HERE (http://momentumgames.com/asp/webpage.asp?PageId=36), costs $15.95 and has a perfectly playable trial version.
Compatibility
I’ve tested it on my WM5 Dell Axim x51v (A12), WM2003SE VGA Pocket Loox 720 and 5-year-old (!) Pocket PC 2002 Compaq iPAQ 3660 (yes, Pocket PC 2002 compliance is VERY rare with new titles!). It worked flawlessly on all these devices. It’s also compatible with square-screen devices and also has MS Smartphone and desktop Windows versions.
Visuals
They’re pretty good: the game, just like the new version of Pocket Mini Golf, supports hi-res VGA. On these devices, it looks pretty cool. The “thrust” effects (see the screenshot above) are pretty cool too, a bit like those of 4Pockets (the most known, excellent Pocket PC game developer company to use movement effects like these (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1266&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1).)
Music / sounds
While the music is pretty cool, it’s pretty repetitive (as with Momentum Games’ other titles in general – they should pay more attention to less repetitive in-game music with better quality) and played back at a low quality and in mono.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a “traditional” platform game, you may be disappointed with this title. Still, give it a try.
If you more like platformer-like games where thinking is more necessary (in the Tmax / Mazera / Lemmings / Cavemen way), definitely give this title a try.
http://www.winmobiletech.com/kuvat/MeltdownMain1.jpg
While the game isn’t exactly a traditional platform game (unlike the above-listed games) but more of a logic / puzzle game (in this respect it’s a bit like, for example, Lemmings, Cavemen (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=931&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1), AIM productions’ Tmax or Astraware’s Mazera, reviewed in the Roundup of All Pocket PC Games Part I (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/menneisyys/052006MIPSGames.asp)). It is also slightly similar to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum Jet Pac (http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zxspectrum/spec1648.htm) (screenshot here (http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/images/jetpac.gif)), one of the favourite games of my childhood.
Availability
The game is available HERE (http://momentumgames.com/asp/webpage.asp?PageId=36), costs $15.95 and has a perfectly playable trial version.
Compatibility
I’ve tested it on my WM5 Dell Axim x51v (A12), WM2003SE VGA Pocket Loox 720 and 5-year-old (!) Pocket PC 2002 Compaq iPAQ 3660 (yes, Pocket PC 2002 compliance is VERY rare with new titles!). It worked flawlessly on all these devices. It’s also compatible with square-screen devices and also has MS Smartphone and desktop Windows versions.
Visuals
They’re pretty good: the game, just like the new version of Pocket Mini Golf, supports hi-res VGA. On these devices, it looks pretty cool. The “thrust” effects (see the screenshot above) are pretty cool too, a bit like those of 4Pockets (the most known, excellent Pocket PC game developer company to use movement effects like these (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=1266&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1).)
Music / sounds
While the music is pretty cool, it’s pretty repetitive (as with Momentum Games’ other titles in general – they should pay more attention to less repetitive in-game music with better quality) and played back at a low quality and in mono.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a “traditional” platform game, you may be disappointed with this title. Still, give it a try.
If you more like platformer-like games where thinking is more necessary (in the Tmax / Mazera / Lemmings / Cavemen way), definitely give this title a try.