Publisher: Microsoft
Ages: nine and up.
Parental
Advisory:
Arcade violence
For a fresh, hilarious new angle on platform games, Microsoft's Voodoo Vince presents an outrageous adventure-a voodoo doll who is looking for its keeper. It's an entertaining title that serves lots of puzzles and features a creative voodoo angle that is absolutely brilliant. The game could be longer, but it's lots of fun to play.
From the streets of New Orleans to the depths of a Louisiana bayou, a tattered-but-tough voodoo doll named Vince is on a quest to find the whereabouts of his keeper, the kidnaped Madam Charmaine. The twist here is that in true voodoo style, Vince hurts his many enemies by hurting himself.
Unlike in other games, players actually use the dangers and hazards, instead of running away from them. If you want to take out a horde of enemies, simply stick a pin through your head. And if something is chasing you, jump under a falling safe to flatten it. In addition to the 30 voodoo attacks that do outrageous things to Vince and hurt the various monsters and bosses, Vince can punch, execute a spin attack and jump.
The game serves some 30 levels that include crawfish-laden swamps, a graveyard filled with imps and lost zombies, a fanciful French Quarter, and a network of boggy sewers. There are offbeat creatures that include Ginger Dead Men (who are not exactly sugar-coated) and intoxicated gas pumps that offer a fiery challenge.
There are also vehicles that include a fanboat, a submarine and an airplane—and even a rat that gives Vince a lift at one point. The game also serves lot of minigames and puzzles.
The graphics are detailed and attractive and the game evokes a dark, humorous mood. The voices, particularly that of Vince, are hilarious. As a platform game, Voodoo Vince features lots of violence of the hitting and stomping variety, but it's cartoon-like with no blood.
While
it's not an outstanding platform game, Voodoo Vince brings a refreshingly
different approach to the genre that works well and is very entertaining.
Everyone in the family can have a laugh with this one.
9/29/03 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
