Genesis

Flicky

Okay, you don't need to tell me. Flicky looks and sounds like the worst Megadrive in existence. Its retarded graphics and moronic sound make it appear like a shambling mockery of a sad travesty. But try playing it! One game was all it took for me to become horribly, horribly hooked. Into the games room I repeatedly went, zombie-like until I'd had another fix. Even now I want another go. Its gameplay is just so perfect; a constant test of reflexes as you teeter on a knife-edge between playing it safe and ending up with a rubbish score, or running the big risks and going for the mega-score! It's crazy, I know, that a game so crappy, so laughably simple and pathetic-sounding as this can prove to be more addictive, more challenging and more long-lasting than virtually any other Megadrive game, but it's true. Try it out and see what I mean!

What I find to be the most intriguing feature of Flicky is it's ability to combine aspects of a puzzle game ( patterns, addictiveness) with elements of a platform game ( ah, um,...platforms ). After a few minutes into play you are hooked and really don't know why. The platform portion is not extensive as Mario. The puzzle part is not as cerebral as Tetris or as panic ridden as Bust-A-Move. There is just something about this fearless feathered fighter for freedom known as Flicky that empowers you with such a feeling of heroism that you can't help but love it.

The bright and simple graphics may seem completely naff at first, but you soon discover they're perfect for this simple game and the game chirps away merrily as you flap about like fury. Fllcky is roughly the equivalent of The Birdy Song on computer - nobody will admit that they play it, but everybody sneaks off to the Games Room and chirps their way through a few more levels. I'm not sure how long this one will fare in the lastability stakes, but right now Flicky is a bit of an office sensation. If you fancy a bit of fun on your Megadrive and a flicking good game to boot, get Flicky. But if you're looking for a game which is going to last you ages, give it a flick before you flap out the cash.

Wer den Anblick der dürftigsten Grafik seit langem überlegt, bekommt viel Spielspaß. Das Prinzip ist genial einfach, Flicky steuert sich gut, und der Schwierigkeitsgrad steigt beharrlich - milde Suchterscheinungen sind nicht ausgeschlossen.

Nachdem ich mich vom ersten Schreck erholt hatte (“Was, das ist schon alles?“), verbrachte ich doch einige Zeit mit Flicky und seinen Freunden. Zugegeben, die Grafik hat kaum Master-System-Niveau, der Sound ist nicht der Rede wert, und die kleinen Levels gleichen sich wie ein Vogel dem anderen, aber - es macht einfach Spaß. So unkompliziert der Spielablauf ist, so gerne wage ich ein paar Runden. Immerhin gibt‘s noch den Bonuslevel, der in regelmäßigen Abständen eingestreut wird. Hartgesottenen Profispielern wird Flicky höchstens ein selbstgefälliges Grinsen entlocken, jüngere Mega-Drive-Besitzer könnten an dem Modul dagegen Gefallen finden. Zumal es preislich deutlich unter dem Durchschnitt angesiedelt ist.

Finally though, I would have to say to anyone who likes senseless arcade action and also someone who enjoys a great challenge. The game is very addictive and also has a high challenge factor. Anyone who can complete this game should be revered as a god because it’s so darn hard. The graphics and the sound look aged and the arcade version looked a lot nicer. I highly recommend that you go and play that instead of this one but if you do want it, get the collection cartridge that has three other games on it (Altered Beast, Gunstar Heroes. and Alex Kidd). You’ll get more for your money that way.