"A game so good it defies the laws of physics...And a very unique game"

If you happen to follow my reviews much, you know I don't waste time putting the storyline down, at least in action games like this. RPG's obviously are different, but let's just get into the meat and potatoes of the game. It is based on a character that appeared in Casper many years ago, and various appearances since then (including Richie Rich). The game seems to maintain the dated and quaint cartoon style of days gone by with clarity and grace. It is not based on any corporate marketing campaign (such as a Disney game). Instead, the character in question is far more obscure and perhaps only known to connoisseurs of more archaic pop culture including but not limited to Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny, Casper, or Tom and Jerry. But don't think for a moment that this particular game is too "kiddy" or "girly" for that matter. If it is socially acceptable for a female to play a Mario game then by the same token a male can also expect to play a game starring Wendy. At any rate, this game seems to appeal to all types of people (male, female, young, and old). In fact, the game also appeals to Gameboy Advance players as well as it has a special unlockable stage only playable on a GBA!

Game play 10: First off, I'd like to say that I didn't expect to enjoy this game THIS much. It was not a predictable side-scroller as one would expect. What sets this game apart is Wendy's ability to reverse gravity, which not only affects her movements, but also the various baddies that try to stop her. If you played Mega Man 5's Gravity Man stage you have an idea of what to expect, except that in this game the concept is explored more fully. For instance, some enemies act totally different on the ceiling than on the floor. One clever enemy throws bombs at you, and well.....I'll let you figure out what I mean from there.....Seeing these little details, you quickly learn that this game is highly polished with fairly good level designs (and few if any blind jumps). Also there are a lot of spikes, and various objects that rise and fall depending on if you are on the floor or ceiling. You have to strategize how certain areas are best navigated. The star collecting system is innovative because your offensive strength is correlated with your defensive strength. In other words, as you collect stars your health AND attacks improve (and when you take hits your firepower decreases accordingly). Even when I was full of health, I found myself going after stars anyway, just because of the thrill of trying to reach them (they are also worth points). After every 3 levels you ride a broomstick in a horizontal shooter-style level. One of my few qualms with the game is that THERE ARE NO BOSSES!......except the last stage....but I'd like to have fought some on the normal stages in a Mario type fashion. I understand that the concept of an "end level boss" is extremely trite and redundant, but it is still a fun and artistic convention that has stood the test of time. Of course, if anyone remembers the game "Cool Spot", that game didn't have any bosses at all, and it was still a highly praised game. As short as this game is, though, it would have helped add some further depth. The last boss is a bit tough to topple though at first, until you learn his weak spot...........

Difficulty: 7 This game pretty much has a perfect difficulty curve. It starts out easy enough to learn the basics, and slowly ramps up that by the time you are on level 4, it is actually quite challenging (at least on Hard Mode). This is a game that is not too easy to be boring and not too hard to be frustrating.

Obsessive Gamers rating 10: Some gamers torture themselves playing games till everything is unlocked, which in some games can be nearly impossible. This game is OG friendly (obsessive-gamer friendly). Easy mode is too easy, but Hard mode is just right (if not still slightly on the easy side). The GBA exclusive stage however poses a decent challenge, though, and the game is enjoyable nonetheless.

Graphics 9: I've always loved the look of 8 bit games. They are colorful and comforting than even some 16 bit games. This game has graphics and animation that almost look like they could have been on a Gameboy advance. The animation in particular is incredible. Wendy and the enemies animate very nicely, but sometimes you have to wait for a fraction of a second for Wendy to compose herself after a gravity change, before you can input another one. The various levels are very well drawn, and each world introduces itself in a very inviting way that keeps you playing. I like level 3 the best, as it is a fun haunted house inspired stage. All the stages (except the broomstick ones) occur indoors, and it might have been cool to walk around a tree or other outdoor landscape.

Sound/music: I found myself really enjoying the music in this game, as it is cartoony and often catchy. It fits nicely with the game. They have a track for every world, and also after each level there is also fun music to be heard. Good stuff.

Overall 8: It is a *touch* short, but with the GBA levels it actually feels about right for an old-school style game. The original Castlevania only takes a half an hour to clear, and is considered a classic, so with this game being longer I have few complaints. It could have REALLY used some bosses or hidden passageways, and the bonus world seems like it could have been included in the GBC version (if I had a Gameboy Color I would be upset that I couldn't play all the levels). This game is a sleeper hit. Many times these are some of the best. Whether it is obscure music, tv, movies, or graphic novels, it feels good "panning for gold" and finding that prize that you can force on all your friends to get THEM to admire the treasure discovered by you. In this case, it is not fools gold.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/03/11

Game Release: Wendy: Every Witch Way (US, 08/28/01)