Game Reviews

Pac-Man

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| Pac-Man
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Pac-Man
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| Pac-Man

We’re firm believers in the recreation of arcade classics for the handheld platforms and Pac-Man ably proves our point. The action is as fast-paced and frentic as it should, the visuals nostalgically sharp and controls every bit are as responsive as the original – which is more than we can say for some of the java clones out there. More importantly, the game mechanic is timeless, especially when it’s recreated flawlessly as it is here. In the unlikely event you’ve not encountered the game before, the premise is essentially as follows. You’re an edamesque yellow ball with a mouth who for some reason known only to himself is consumed by hunger for small white pills and must negotiate a maze in order to eat every last one. As is often the case for cheesy pill-poppers though you’re endeavours are hampered by equally ravenous multi-coloured ghosts who must be avoided at all costs, or at least until can gobble a special power pill and thus be temporarily able to bite back (ahh they don’t write game stories like they used to!).

Whatever you think of the premise the resulting frantic action provides one of the most annoyingly addictive gaming experiences every devised as you are condemned to repeating your progress against ever faster and more intelligent ghosts to ensure your name is proudly aloft on the hi score table.

If we had one criticism it would be that the difficulty level was turned a little too high from the off with gobbled ghosts respawning a tad rapidly for our liking (although maybe we’re just getting old?). Also, you’d better remember to turn off the sound if you’re playing in public as the high volume, high-tension ‘wacca wacca’ noises would have even Dom Jolly glaring about the carriage with rage. A few more maps wouldn’t have gone amiss either, or even the option to play as Ms Pac-Man for the ladies. However it would be churlish to over criticise here. Pac-Man is ideally suited to the mobile and deserves its standing as a gaming classic which true game fans must have on their mobile

Pac-Man

Still the best Ghosts and Gobblin game around
Score
Chris James
Chris James
A footy game fanatic and experienced editor of numerous computing and game titles, bossman Chris is up for anything – including running Steel Media (the madman).