From: tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com (tim clinkenpeel)
Subject: [SNES:Clinkenreview> Bart's Nightmare
Reply-To: tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com
Organization: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 20:06:13 GMT

 _ 
(_ l i n k e n r e v i e w
------------------------------------------------- reviews follow this format:
gameplay is summarized in a short paragraph.  next, highlights and faults are
compiled in the various pertinent areas.  in conclusion, an overall rating is
given on a scale of 1 to 10--see the rating guide at the bottom of the review
for further details.  i do not rate individual areas and average them, as the
good does not always count against the bad and vice versa.  -----------------
old reviews  are  kept  on  file  and  may  be  requested by sending mail  to
tpehrson@javelin.sim.es.com  with  the text 'review request: <string>' in the
subject.   all  reviews  with  titles  matching  <string> (wildcard)  will be
returned, or use "all" to receive all reviews.   my reviews are  my  opinion,
written  with  no  intention  to  neither  appease  nor  offend any person or
corporation.  ---------------------------------------------------------------

Bart's Nightmare

I found the theme of Bart's Nightmare to be appealing and original--Bart has
fallen asleep whilst doing homework (gee... hard to relate) and his report
pages have been distributed throughout his dream reality.  You must collect as
many of the lost pages as possible to earn a decent grade on your assignment
and win the respect of your family and peers.  it is not possible to select a
'too hell with this senseless drudgery' and just wander aimlessly about the
dreamscape.  the game starts you at an alter-suburbia where you must trod until
you find a piece of paper blowing down the street, which seems to happen
purely at random (gripe).  after collecting the sheet, you will have the
choice between two doorways, each leading you into a different subscenario you
will have to conquer in order to truly receive a report page (another gripe,
albeit minor: having to pick up a page twice to earn it once.  why not use
something else to take you to the twin portals?  someone lacked creativity.)
scenarios include, but are not limited to: bartman, itchy & scratchy,
bartzilla and indiana bart.

game type:  various, mostly shooter/platform
number of players:  1
continues:  zero.  zilch.  nada.

control varies throughout the game, but is overall poor.  bad choice of
'button mapping' and sometimes just plain bad.  the bartzilla sequence control
is senselessly grotty.  after some play and aggravating monotony you will be
able to master the controls, although in some sequences the slightest single
brush from a baddy will send you to your demise -- you don't get much of a
chance to adapt to new buttons and 'joypad' responses.

the graphics are mediocre overall.  the snes capabilities are certainly not
harnessed.  i did enjoy the colors and shapes of the 'biology' level, the rest
fails to merit mention, although it is sufficient ("cartoony").

the sound?  the music from the 'base level' will drill into your head quickly
and likely result is gastrointensinal discomfort, especially since you will
spend most of the game time here.  a toggle would have been nice, or at least
a decrease in the music:effect volume ratio.  i've noticed this problem is
very common.  either they don't beta test these games, or they employ the deaf
for such.  sound effects are decent, but not outstanding.

the funfactor and longevity of the game are hard to measure.  whereas there is
sufficient diversity into the sub-games, the monotony of the base level and
having to always start from scratch is a minus.  some scenes, such as itchy &
scratchy, are little more than memorization: in your first attempt at this
level you will probably die pretty quickly, but in subsequent tries you will
likely pickup simple patterns to follow for easy victory.  rather mundane
gameplay in this case, eh?  bart's is probably not a good candidate for a
'guest entertainer' as controls are difficult and some concepts of the game
are confusing.  i felt i was not far from completing the game and yet i did
not spend significant time playing it (read: a buy, quick solve and resell or
dust collector).  DEFINITELY rent this game before you buy.

as stated, i did not witness the endgame.  i managed to collect four pages,
(out of a possible 8, if i recall correctly) which earned a measly D+.  i
rented the game for 2 nights and logged around 3 hours total of play.

OVERALL RATING:  6.75  good concept, but could use some 'fine tuning'.  

about par for 'sculptured software', which is a local company.  i've been
around the company and know people that work there.  my overall opinion of
sculptured is they are an enchilada short of a combo platter.

+--rating-scale----------------+
| <2  complete trash           |
| <4  not worth the bother     |
| <6  possible cure for ennui  |
| 6-8 merits rental            |
| >8  worthy of purchase       |
+------------------------------+

----listing-of-reviews-to-date-----------------------------------
adventureisland.rev	bartsnightmare.rev
contra3.rev		krustysfunhouse.rev
smartball.rev

----upcomming-reviews--------------------------------------------
the addam's family
legend of zelda ]I[ : a link to the past
rampart
-- 
	       there is no religion when a man has  good curry
				       -
      tim clinkenpeel: aberrant analytical skeptical agnostic idealist.
		     -- i exclusively represent myself --