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EVERYONE'S
A WALLY
Mikrogen,
£9.95 cass, joystick with keys or keys
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O Wonderful,
teasing follow up to Pyjamarama
O
Multi-character
control, great graphics, wicked puzzles
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When
Pyjamarama was released, it broke new ground
in arcade adventures with its brilliant use of objects
to set teasing puzzles. Everyone's a Wally takes
its predecessor a stage further in gameplay, and is
the first arcade adventure to feature multi-character
control.
The
game looks a feels like Pyjamarama -- the graphics
are excellent, with large, colourful, varied locations,
and five high-res well-animated characters. But being
able to control these characters adds a new dimension.
Each of the characters has their own particular skills
(see panel), and if left uncontrolled, a will
of their own.
The
game is set in a town of about 40 locations (each a
different screen), and some 40 or so objects lying around,
for example a parcel, an empty bottle, and a monkey
wrench. Working out what to do with these is the aim
of the game.
Wally
and his wife Wilma begin the
game by the broken fountain
Different
types of nasties occupy some of the locations and move
around screen in predictable patterns. For example there
are a pair of postage stamps floating around in the
post office.
Most
of the objects have a useful function, while some are
red herrings (in fact one actually is a red herring).
To pick up an object, you simply walk over it or jump
through it. Only two objects can be carried at one time,
and will be displayed at the top of the screen.
These
objects must be used to complete various jobs, such
as stamping a parcel to be taken to the docks, building
a wall, and mending a fountain. This is where the problems
start -- certain tasks can only be carried out by certain
characters. These are usually dependant upon their trade
and, just to help you out, there just might be one or
two clues scattered about this page.
Wally,
a renowned boozer, heads
straight for the pub
Whenever
someone finishes a job they get paid a certain amount
depending on the complexity of it, and it goes towards
the gang's pay. When a certain amount is reached, then
tea breaks are awarded.
There
are five main jobs to be done, but each can only be
finished by previously completing simpler tasks. When
you do actually finish a major job, you can get a letter
towards the combination of a bank safe. The letters
must eventually be taken back to the bank and used in
the correct order to open the safe. The gang can now
have their well-earned wages, and you can get the glory
of completing the adventure.
You
start the game in the town square with control over
Wally. If you wish to control another character, you
must first occupy the same location as them. Pressing
the corresponding number key will then transfer control
to the required character. If the relevant character
isn't present, then selecting their number will just
give their current position.
The
five characters have individual endurance factors, in
the form of three lives. Contact with anything nasty
will decrease their endurance until a life is lost.
When all three lives are gone, then the game is over.
But if one character is close to death, you can always
switch to another and continue the game.
Fortunately,
there is food lying around which can be eaten to boost
endurance. Unfortunately, each character, excluding
Wally, is fussy about what they eat, and some foods
are better for them than others.
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