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World Games |
Copyright/Publisher: Epyx, Programmed by: K-Byte; Matt Decker, Joe Simko, Chris
Desterling,
Doug Dragin, Bob Macdowell, Jay Braman, Jeff Webb, Brent Degraaf & Steve Mage,
Graphics by: Michael Kosaka, Jenny Martin, Suzie Greene, Courtney Granner,
Music by: Steve Mage, Genre: Multi Events, Release Year: 1986, Number Of Players: 1 to 8
Following on from the immensely successful Summer and Winter Games series is World Games,
a sports simulation that takes you around the world, embracing the traditions and customs
of eight different countries. The program allows up to eight people, representing any of
eighteen different countries, to compete against one another and go for gold.
World games has a comprehensive options screen which allows players to compete in either one,
some or all of the events. You can also practice an event to your heart's content.
If you compete in an event, or events, though, you are only given three attempts to
prove your worth. Each event is loaded individually.
The disk version has two extra features not present in the cassette version. Firstly, any
outstanding performances can be saved to disk for posterity (or ego tripping - whichever
you enjoy most). Secondly, there is an option to display a location description before
you compete in an event.
Here is a breakdown of each of the eight events ...
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WEIGHT LIFTING (Russia) |
In this battle of the steroids you step into the shoes of a well-endowed weightlifter.
There are two types of lifts "clean and jerk" and "Snatch", both controlled with forward
and backward movement of the joystick. In the "snatch" your strongman picks up the weight
when the joystick is pulled back-lifting is done by pushing, snatching by pulling,
and the final lift is a push. Sounds easy but timing is absolutely critical push or
pull too fast or take too long at any time and your lifter will drop the weight.
The "clean and jerk". uses a similar control method, only there are more forwards
and backwards movements and the timing is even more critical.
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SLALOM SKIING (France) |
This event is based on the traditional Nordic obstacle races, and has you skiing down a
demanding course spread over a cold and icy piste. To complete the course in then fastest
possible time, you have to skillfully mix timing, speed and control. Missing too many gates,
hitting the side fencing or colliding With a gate results in instant disqualification.
Your man automatically speeds down the vertically scrolling course and can be moved left
or right by pushing the joystick in the relevant direction. Pressing the fire button while
turning speeds up the movement, useful for negotiating the tighter parts of the course.
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LOG ROLLING (Canada) |
Balance and agility are the order of the day as two players attempt to dislodge each other from a large,
floating log by spinning it back and forth. By rhythmically moving the joystick left and right,
a player can speed up or slow down the rotation of the log. Pressing the fire button reverses
the direction of roll, thus momentarily unbalancing your opponent. High scores can only be
obtained by quickly removing your opponent from the log and maintaining your balance as you
do so.
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CLIFF DIVING (Mexico) |
Precise timing and nerves of steel are essential in this breath taking event.
A press of the fire button launches your diver into the air, where he proceeds to fall
until he hits the water below. The screen scrolls vertically as the diver falls, and you
must ensure that his back is arched to counteract the oncoming wind. As soon as the water
looms into view, straighten out to enter smoothly, then quickly turn to avoid hitting the
sea bed.
A dive can be made from one of six heights, but to score maximum points a dive must be
made from the very top of the cliff, 118 feet above the small, shallow expanse of water
which breaks your fall - or your neck should you err!
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CABER TOSS (Scotland) |
Up to the bonny hills of Scotland to compete in the famous highland games.
Timing and a hefty load-bearing capacity are the keys to this demanding test of strength
as you Strive to chuck a telephone pole sized caber as far as possible. Your kilted athlete
runs (staggers?) when the joystick is moved left and right, and throws the caber when the
fire button is pressed. The longer the fire button is depressed, the further forward the
caber pivots in his hands. Releasing the button causes him to actually throw the caber.
Should you throw too early or too late, then the caber will land quite dramatically on
either your head or toes.
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BULL RIDING (America) |
Bareback action at its most exciting and competitive. By keeping your wits about you and
moving the joystick in the correct direction, you have to try to stay on the back of a
belligerent bull for eight grueling seconds. There are five increasingly aggressive bulls
to test your bareback riding skills to the full. Or, if you are in practice mode, a
second player can control the bull and attempt to make you eat dirt.
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BARREL JUMPING (Germany) |
Since the advent of this sport over 300 years ago, there has been many a bruised posterior
to tell the tale of a jumper who failed to clear the last barrel. At the beginning of this
event your skater gives the thumbs up to tell you when he's ready. You can then set him
skating across the ice by moving the joystick left and right. A good rhythm is most important,
and so is a well-timed take-off. Pressing the fire button sends the brave skater sailing into
the air, and pulling back on the joystick braces him for landing. If you fail to complete
any one of these maneuvers correctly, then your skater could end up badly battered and
bruised.
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SUMO WRESTLING (Japan) |
A true battle of the bulge - wrestling the Oriental way. In this one or two player
head-to-head event, you have to simply (!) get the better of your opponent by either
toppling them to the ground or pushing them out of the ring. There are twelve moves open
to each player such as pushing, pulling, grabbing, slapping and tripping, along with a
spectacular over-the-head throw, better known as the Utchari. All moves are accessible via
the joystick. Points can only be gained by fast. successful moves and a quick result.
ie: the shorter the match, the higher your score.
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Paul Sumner |
How wrong I was when I thought that Epyx had exhausted their supply of sports.
World games contains all the activities you would never dream of seeing on a home computer.
As with all of the Games series I was immediately taken by the superb graphics and the
attention to detail used in the animation. World games consists of eight games that are
all very playable in their own right. Each event features some stunning spot effects and
superb compositions. The bag-pipes on the caber toss are as good as, if not better than the
real thing. All the events have a real sporty feel to them which makes them immediately
addictive. Being the office sportsman I can definitely say that without a shadow of a
doubt World games is the new sports simulation of the decade and a must for all armchair
enthusiasts.
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Gary Penn |
Epyx have truly excelled themselves end have produced their most impressive and playable
sports simulation yet. The attention to detail is meticulous and there are loads of neat
touches throughout the game. Such as the weightlifter breathing and rubbing his hands
around the bar between the weights; the skater who plunges through the ice and turns blue
with the cold when you inadvertently forget to prepare him for landing; the bull leering at
you after you've been thrown; the fatty sumo wrestler flat on his back, dazed and panting...
I could go on for ages describing the numerous humorous touches to the game.
Not only have Epyx produced an unbeatable game they've come up with some of the best graphics
and sound I've ever and heard. The backdrops are great and the sprites are beautifully drawn
and animated. The eight new pieces of music are brilliant, and the spot FX are outstanding.
World Games is a stunning package, and I have absolutely no reservations in recommending it
to anyone as this is the most enjoyable game I have ever had the pleasure of playing.
I don't think the tape version will be too much of a pain, since each event is playable in its
own right - more so than any other previous Epyx offering. The sumo wrestling and log
rolling events are my favorites, especially when playing head to head with another player.
With World Games to play for many months to come, I can certainly wait for Winter Games II!
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Julian Rignall |
What can I say? Epyx have again come up with a sports simulation that knocks the dentritis
out of any of the other sports simulation on the market - including their own!
Forget everything else. This is the definition of 'state of the art'. The graphics are nothing
short of miraculous, and the animation is totaly out of this world. There are so many brilliant
touches to this program seeing is the only way of believing. Hearing is the only way of
believing too! The bag pipe tune announcing the Caber tossing is unbelievable Forget the
Fairlight SID can do it too! The game is a pesky multi-loader but then it's worth waiting
every second for each event to load. Go and get it - it does a for Commodore what Trident
does for demolition.
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