Zzap


Wizard Willy
By Cartoon Time
Commodore 64/128

 
Published in Zzap #63

Wizard Willy

Stop that giggling at the back, this is a serious game! Fifi the fairy is trapped in the evil Emperor's fortress, but thankfully she's got her Wizard Willy. This very popular magician (housewives' favourite) has got a big job ahead as he sets out to rescue her. He must penetrate the fortress by venturing through several horizontally scrolling levels filled with platforms, exploding traps, and nasties - killed by hurling small lightning bolts at them. If willy makes contact with nasties it has a detrimental effect on his health.

On each level, ten magic eyes must be collected before facing the end-of-level guardian: a fireball-spitting skull. A variety of special icons can also be picked up including a vanish spell (smart bomb) and extra lightning bolts, energy and lives.

Graphics aren't exactly magic with a tiny Willy. Size isn't everything though and the two-layer parallax effect adds something - I don't know what, but something.

Anyway, jumping around platforms collecting stuff isn't very innovative but the fast paced action is fun for a while if over a bit too quickly. Maybe Willy isn't such a Wizard after all.