It’s been quite awhile since we’ve been exposed to a decent Pitfall Harry experience. A couple of years ago Activision decided to make an updated platformer starring our favorite explorer but the effort was less than stellar. Now the guys at Edge of Reality are looking to return Harry to the land of prominence and if this preview build is any indication, the road is paved with tons of hot hot action and sophomoric humor.
From the opening screenshots you can tell that the game isn’t one that plans to take itself too seriously. Although pretty well built, our hero isn’t exactly the most suave or charming individual on the planet. In fact, he kind of reminds me of what Al Lowe’s Larry Laffer (from the
Leisure Suit Larry franchise) would be like if he were to be a womanizing explorer who watched one too many Indiana Jones flicks.
Aside from your usual platforming and combat elements Edge of Reality has added a new gameplay dynamic that reminds me
Jurassic Park: Trespasser. With the right analog stick you can control Harry’s right arm. In addition to being an excellent time killer the arm control helps you solve puzzles, utilize objects and activate switches. I’m not quite sure what I think about this gameplay element yet as it could become tedious later on if not utilized properly. However, I’m pretty happy with it in the few hours that I’ve spent with the game.
In many ways Pitfall reminds me of
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, both in its locales and in its gameplay elements. At the time the game seems to be very merciful as it’s pretty hard to actually die in the game. Just when you think you’re about to expire you’re given a new lease on life thanks to the forgiving nature of the game. Like PoP there are plenty of checkpoints spread throughout the game and falling off precarious ledges doesn’t generally result in immediate death. This isn’t necessarily bad though as it opens up the game to an entire audience who has yet to develop gamer’s thumb.
What really appeals to me is the game’s real lighthearted nature. Remember how hard you laughed when the alligators in
Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb picked up poor Indy and flung him around like a rag doll? Well Pitfall takes this a step farther, just when you think that good ol’ Harry has been swallowed whole he climbs out from the alligator’s mouth, relatively unscathed. In addition to the humorous elements the nature of the game is very cheerful and will appeal to audiences of all ages. I would have absolutely no qualms if my five-year-old nephew were to ask to borrow the game.
We’d love to reveal more but we’d like to spend some more time with the final build of the game. Our near final build had a few gameplay hitches here and there but nothing that probably won’t be worked out by the game’s February 17 release. In the meantime please enjoy these brand new shots of Activision and Edge of Reality’s upcoming platformer.
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