Zzap


Willow
By Mindscape International Inc
Amiga 500

 
Published in Zzap #48

Willow

As Willow, hero of the game and the movie, you've got to make it through several sections to rescue a baby from the powers of a wicked queen.

First off, as Willow's accomplice, Ethna, you must negotiate a maze of dungeon rooms; lingering in any one place means capture by guards. Outside, as Willow himself, you attempt to cross through treacherous woodland, to reach the crossroads. Once there, you battle with the queen's henchmen and finally attempt to defeat the Queen Bavmorda.

Gordo

The first thing that strikes you about Willow is that it takes longer to load each section than it does to play.

Willow

When you do manage to get into the game, practically the only thing that influences whether you win or lose is luck. That might be OK for a bout of roulette or poker maybe, but in a computer game? No way. Avoid it.

Maff

Willow has to be one of the nominations for worst Amiga games of all time - it's already one of the worst film licences. Sheer luck counts over skill in most cases.

The first section, which should be designed to hold the player's interest, is a weak maze affair. There's no map, but it just takes one wrong move to get captured and that's the end of the game!

Willow

Graphics are equally disappointing (very basic animation) and the sound is a grating, one channel cacophony called 'music'. That, together with one of the most long-winded loaders ever devised, makes Willow a product to avoid at all costs.

Verdict

Presentation 33%
Joystick/mouse/keyboard. Incredibly slow loader.

Graphics 20%
Well below average: jerky animation and very gaudy colour scheme.

Willow

Sound 5%
An irritating one-channel tune drones on and on.

Hookability 15%
The loader is so slow you're tempted to switch off before it even starts.

Lastability 5%
You will when you die, ten seconds later.

Overall 7%
Staring at the wall might be more fun - and it doesn't take half as long as Willow does to load.