The Lost Vikings

The Good
There ought to be more games like this. Lost Vikings on the Genesis was no doubt one of the best platform puzzlers of all time. The puzzles start out easily enough, and as the game progresses the puzzles get harder and the levels get larger and more elaborate.

One must admire the way each level is designed and the beautiful world themes that are in this game - Prehistoric, Egyptian, Factory, Spaceship. Each theme is accompanied by appropriate background music which is very catchy and the kind one would tap their foot to. Each theme is inhabited by very animated monsters that fit the theme.

The Vikings themselves do not have voices, but their bubble dialogs are funny. They would even start critisizing the player if he replays a level many times due to failures. Since every Viking must make it to the exit area to end a level, one dead Viking, or one stuck Viking would mean failure. The final few chapters take a lot of thought and coordination, switching between the characters to solve and can be extremely frustrating. But you have no one to blame but yourself. The game controls are sensitive and responsive, it's not difficult to control the Vikings at all.

Password for each levels enable players to replay their favorite levels. (The re-released version on the Gameboy Advance lost this feature.)

The Bad
Perhaps the only thing to complain about is the lack of voices for the Vikings. But then again, it might have been irritating if it existed, especially if you have to hear them scold you over and over again for failing.

The Bottom Line
One of Blizzard's earlier games. Take control of three vikings, each with different personalities and skills and travel through different worlds filled with dangerous monsters and obstacles. The in-game dialog is absolutely hilarious, and even though the game gets increasingly frustrating as the puzzles get tougher, the beautiful graphics of each level and excellent sound keeps you coming back until you finish the game.