Publisher: Activision
Ages: eight and up.
Parental
Advisory:
Arcade violence
With its pit-hopping and vine-swinging, Activision's Pitfall: The Lost Expedition offers a fun explorer-themed game that is a descendant of that famous Atari title from decades ago. The game is a fun platform romp through the South American jungle that has wide appeal.
As in previous incarnations, the game stars one Pitfall Harry-explorer and adventurer. Players embark on an adventure to rescue a lost expedition, stop a vengeful high priest, prevent an archrival from stealing treasures and help a princess fulfill her destiny.
To accomplish all this, players swing, fight, climb and crawl through more than 50 levels set in environments that range from dark caverns to ancient Incan ruins in the South American jungle. Here players must overcome obstacles and battle a host of enemies that include scorpions, bats, piranhas, insects, natives, mercenaries, bush ninjas and monkeys. Harry can jump over objects, engage in combat and use weapons and items.
The game offers a blend of action and puzzles and there are heroic feats to accomplish, mini-games to play and idols to collect and redeem for upgrades. As an added bonus, players may unlock and play the original Atari 2600 versions of Pitfall! and Pitfall 2.
Controls are intuitive and easy to use and offer lots of options. For example, while vine swinging, players can increase the swing, change directions and more. Interestingly, the game offers specific control over Harry's right arm which works well in many situations.
The game serves a light, humorous tone throughout and never takes itself seriously. The graphics are colorful and well done and serve realistic moving swaying vines, plants that rustle as Harry runs through them and more. The jungle feels as if it's a living, breathing place. The title only offers a single platform game with no multiple player options.
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition is not a bloody game, but a violent one that has Harry dying a thousand deaths, whether it's being eaten by alligators, falling into deep pits, losing to his enemies and more. Gamers who love platform games should have fun with this one.
4/16/04 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
