*** Willie's Adventure's/1 page/297 words/2 grabs/Colin Polonowski ***
*** Preview ***
*** Colin Polonowski ***
*** Games ***
*** Falcon, RGB/VGA, 4 Mb minimum ***
*** Commercial ***

Willies Adventures

Colin Polonowski takes an early look at the Falcons latest game...	

	The Falcon may be an excellent computer, but one area it is lacking in is decent games. New Beat Developments hope to change things with their soon to be Willies Adventures.
	Anyone who has played the excellent Rayman on the next generation consoles will be instantly be at home with Willies Adventures. In fact, Willies Adventures is an excellent attempt at bringing the platform genre to the Falcon. So far the the only other game of this genre worth mentioning is Double Bubble 2000 by the Reservoir Gods.
	The story is, for a change, quite original even if the game itself isn't - Willie is a painter who one day finds his paintings coming to life. Eventually he gets trapped in them and must find his way out.
	Willies Adventures is played over a number of large smooth scrolling levels each with its own enemies and graphical style - the overall aim is to find the exit on each level.
	The graphics themselves are very well drawn and colourful, and their animation is secon to none. Controlling Willie is acheived via either the Keyboard or an Atari Powerpad plugged into port A on the side of the Falcon. The Powerpad is undoubtedly the best option and the game makes good use of the pads functions.
	Sonically, the game is equally impressive - the sounds are all sampled and the background tune is very catchy.
	Willies Adventures is a very large game and will take a long time to complete. It is also very addictive and it has that 'one more go' factor! 
	I for one will be looking forward to seeing the full game - which should be available fairly soon for around £30.


*** Screenshots ***

*** willie1.gif ***
There is a very wide range of enemies.

*** willie2.gif ***
Willies only form of defense is an axe which he can throw.