SNES

SOS

Once in a while a game arrives in the office that take a completely different graphical approach. It doesn't happen often though and I'm not sure Septentrion fully qualifies as such an instance either. After all, for the most part its assets have been seen before. In particular, the way the games main sprite moves looks like nothing so much as Prince Of Persia, while rotating Mode 7 screens have been seen all over the place.That said, though, they've never been combined a they have here. The Mode 7 rotation isn't just a graphical thrill but an integral part of the gameplay. We're meant to be in a capsized ship, and the Mode 7 makes you believe it.

SOS, part action game and part puzzler, challenges you to find your way out of the ship. Even if you can climb up to a door (they're on the ceiling, remember?), it might be locked or blocked from the outside. Figuring out an alternative route is the real trick - and you've got only 60 minutes before the ship sinks!

A unique adventure game using the plot right out of The Poseidon Adventure. Get out of a passenger ship that has turned upside-down. Here you must use precise abilities other than kicking, jumping, and punching.

The interesting premise and the good ideas are wasted on a game with a severe lack of excitement.

The premise behind SOS is great: Your hero has a compelling mission of goodwill and faces serious obstacles, all intensified by a race against the clock. Unfortunately, there are simply too many holes in SOS's layout. I had hoped for some smooth sailing, but the vehicle on too much water to stay afloat.