Wizard of Wor

"I guess this is what people played when they wanted a suspense game back in the day."

Mix Pac Man with Combat and you get this game. Even though the graphics aren't anything to write home about, the game still manages to have a little bit of a suspenseful feel to it (at least, it did back when it was made). This game is an interesting look back when there weren't such games like Resident Evil.

Story: 2
Apparently there are two guys with guns that have to enter a maze and rid it of all monsters. WOW!

Gameplay: 7
This game can have either one or two players. The monsters enter the maze before you do. You can deploy one of your men into the maze right away or you can wait if need be (for instance, when monsters aren't near the place you appear in the maze). Don't wait too long, though, otherwise the game will eventually plop you in by itself. Once in, you can walk around and shoot the monsters. If you don't clear the maze in a short time, the enemies will get faster and faster. You can only shoot one bullet at a time, so make your shots count. Sometimes the monsters may shoot back. Once you clear the maze, a boss (one more monster that looks different and moves faster) will appear. Kill it.

Some monsters can become invisible. The only way you can see them on screen is if you are in the same corridor as them. Luckily, you can still keep track of where they are using a small radar at the bottom of the screen. Just be careful not to keep your eyes on it too long.

You can work cooperatively with your other player or you can kill him too.

Graphics: 3
The maze is very simple looking. The monsters are decently detailed by 2600 standards, though. The men you use are kinda...well...weird. I can't tell if what they're holding is a staff, or if it's one of their arms, or...well...play the game and look at them for yourself, LOL.

Sound/Music: 6
The music is pretty creepy. There are two songs, the beginning song and the song that plays when you're actually playing. The gameplay song gets faster and faster as the monsters move faster. The sounds aren't that great, just blips when bullets are shot and when bullets find their mark.

Control: 10
Up, down, left, right, shoot. No qualms to be found here.

Replay Value: 3
You'll have fun getting to higher levels and seeing the different bosses...for about 30 minutes. This game gets pretty repetitive. Save it for when you have absolutely NOTHING else to do.

Bottom Line?
It's pretty fun, and neat to see what old suspense games were like back then. Just don't play it for extended periods of time. :) The action gets pretty fast as the game progresses and the invisible enemies add a nice challenge, which is why I give it a 7.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 09/01/01, Updated 02/11/02