Page 15 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #2

Review
Y th by Sarah Thomas (careful, not all can be done away
ou’re invited to Pac-Man’s
20 birthday party! In
with this easily!), reach high areas,
celebration of our favorite
and activate switches. The treas-
yellow dot’s birthday,
Namco has released Pac-Man gins with Pac-Man making his way ure chests, barrels, and crates ei-
ther con-
to his birthday party,
World, a 3D version of the classic only to discover that tain help-
game. While at first it may appear his guests, Chomp- ful ob-
Namco has released this 3D game Chomp the dog, Baby jects or
in order to keep up with the Pac, Pooka (from Dig nothing at
Joneses (everyone seems to be Dug), Professor Pac- all.
releasing 3D classic games), they Man, Pac-Man Junior, Switches
have done a tremendous job at and Ms. Pac-Man, come in
keeping with Pac-Man’s personal have all been kid- three dif-
style. The game offers three main napped by Toc-Man ferent col-
modes of play: Classic, 3D Maze, and his ghostly min- ors and
and 3D Quest. ions. Pac-Man must cause
The Classic Pac-Man mode is go to Ghost Island and changes
just what it sounds like – the origi- complete levels of (opening
nal game game play in order to Helivator Action doors, lowering
that en- unlock his friends. bridges, etc.)
tails guid- However, because Toc- once activated.
ing the Man meant to capture The rev-roll is a fun maneuver,
dot- Pac-Man, you can bet allowing Pac-Man to run in place
eating, Pac’s got an uphill bat- and then shoot off really quickly
ghost- tle ahead of him! Along once you release the button (think
chasing the way, he’ll find Sonic). It can be used to make it
Pac-Man mazes, prizes, enemies, up a steep hill, catapult over a
through and an assortment of ramp to reach a far-off area, or
various challenges. even attack some enemies. It’s
mazes. Ghost Island con- also used to activate helivators
As fun sists of six different (platforms that transport Pac-Man
and en- themed “stages” of horizontally or vertically across a
tertaining as this T Minus 10 for Pac game play. The stages include: space). When Pac-Man rev-rolls
is, Pac-Man has Pirate, Ruins, Space, Fun- on a helivator, it causes a fan un-
so much more potential in today’s house, Factory, and Mansion; derneath to spin, which in turn
gaming world, and Namco has ex- within each stage are 3-4 levels, moves the platform. In addition,
celled at adding a 3D spin on the decorated accordingly.
80’s icon. Pac-Man begins his mission at
The Maze mode is a 3D version Buccaneer Beach, which is a train-
of the Classic, with the same basic ing level; hints are scattered
objectives, but a few obstacles and throughout to help you learn his
surprising twists have been added. various moves.
In the beginning, there are 18 dif- The 3D plumping-up of our yel-
ferent mazes to choose from; that low friend has allowed new move-
number can increase to 36 after ments to evolve, such as the butt-
visiting the Galaxian mazes in the bounce, rev-roll, swimming, jump-
Quest mode. ing, and turning metallic.
The one-player-only Quest The butt-bounce can be called
mode is the area that you’ll proba- upon to open treasure chests, bar-
bly spend most of your time. It be- rels, and crates, crush enemies
C’mon Get Happy!
Classic Gamer Magazine Winter 2000 15