Game Gear

Astérix and the Great Rescue

While not the best platform game of the year, it's certainly worth a play or two. The graphics are charming enough that fans of action/puzzle games will want to make history with Asterix.

Asterix and the Great Rescue has a very catchy jazzy song that makes you tap your foot, nod to its rhythm, or hum as you play along. But the game relies too much on that one tune, as it's the only music. Given the song's level of appeal it takes a good amount of time before you start to get annoyed. It will happen. Asterix and the Great Rescue could have been a great combination of platform and puzzle gaming. Instead, it's a somewhat entertaining platformer with very light puzzles with just enough unique flair to make it worth checking out.

All senseless violence aside, this is as generic platformer as it gets. The soundtrack is one you'll swear you've heard thousands of times in the past, and you can all but predict what type of level design will come next. The graphics are pretty good for game gear standards, as the characters are colorful and their movements are detailed, aside from that pathetic punching action. If you absolutely need a game to play when you may or may not be on the go, this one may actually persuade you to pick up that copy of Good Omens you've been telling yourself you were going to read, which isn't a bad thing at all!

Welcome to another day in the life of another action game, starring Asterix the Gaul. Yes, Asterix is strictly average stuff with nothing that stands out. He moves quick, punches everybody out of his way and must find keys to open doors. Sound exciting? Of course it doesn't. The tunes are simple beeps and clicks, but the volume control is only a fingertip away. Sorry Asterix, you're just not too exciting.