From: ski@msbcs.enet.dec.com (John Szczypinski)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: [GENESIS]  Slime World
Keywords: GENESIS
Date: 12 Oct 92 21:06:56 GMT
Reply-To: ski@msbcs.enet.dec.com (John Szczypinski)
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation, Boxborough, MA



    (Todd's Adventures in) Slime World

    Just rented this game last night.  When I first turned it on and saw
    the preview I simply went "Oh no, this looks like a dog."  But it only
    took about 5 minutes of play to get me hooked.

    From a distance Slime World looks similar to Dig Dug, but the similarities
    end there.  This is a maze game (huge sub-terranian mazes) with a long
    list of monsters and obstacles to overcome.  Many sections involve
    problem solving, not just blasting away and running through; you may
    see the path to the exit, but you might have to exercise you cerebellum
    to figure out how to get there.

    This looks like one to rent before buying.  The graphics are small, but
    not tiny, and the pace of the action is slow (relative to other
    video games).  Controlling the little Todd can be rather tricky
    depending on what you're trying to do, but it seems to be purposely
    designed this way--after all he is crawling around in goowey, oozing
    slime while wearing a head-to-toe space suit--it's only natural to
    have diminished dexterity in a situation like that.

    On the plus side the game is quite fun and cute (yeah, I know, some
    people hate cute games).  As Todd makes his way through Slime World
    bits of slime stick to him, the more slime on him the less dexterous
    he becomes, if his slime coating reaches critical mass he dies...and
    quite humorously.  If you put Todd in a pool of water he will wash
    the slime off...you gotta see this!

    The game has a wonderful password function -- a simple 6-letter
    password that can be obtained at any time simply by pressing START.
    Also nice, the silly music can be turned off.  I know I've heard this
    music before, but I can't seem to place it -- Anybody know?  The game
    has no time limit (except in one adventure, see below) and when you die
    you are positioned at the last check-point you past, you do not have to
    start from the beginning.

    This game has both 1-player and 2-player modes -- in 2-player mode there
    is a choice of 2-player *cooperative* or 2-player *competitive*.  In either
    mode there are 6 "Adventures" or game objectives to choose from and each
    adventure has its own world map.  I'll list them all here because I just
    love to type:

    	1-PLAYER ADVENTURES

    	#1: Easy
    	This is a straight forward, get to the end of the large maze adventure.
    	The monsters are very easy, and there are lots of power-ups.
    	There are many hidden and secret rooms as well.

    	#2: Logic
    	A logical challenge:  The water gun does not work, so Todd can't just
    	blaze his way through.  It is a series of puzzle-like situations that
    	must be solved.  This adventure has infinite continues -- you'll need
    	'em!   (I love this adventure)

    	#3: Exploration
    	Todd's ship was destroyed while in orbit around Slime World, and Todd
    	must find his way out of the maze to the safety of the rescue ship.

    	#4: Suspense
    	Slime World is about to melt, but Todd is forced to land for repairs.
    	The only that will stabilize the planet is to harvest mushrooms.  Each
    	mushroom found keeps Slime World stable for another minute.

    	#5: Action
    	Todd is in the worst part of Slime World.  Exit to the rescue ship.

    	#6: Arcade  (was there an arcade version of this???)
    	This is the toughest adventure.  Similar to the Action adventure but
    	there are no restarts.  It is a short maze, but tough nevertheless.


    	2-PLAYER ADVENTURES  (2-player games use a top-bottom split screen)

    	#1: Easy (cooperative)
    	Same a 1-player adventure, with both Todd and Rooney working together.

    	#2: Combat (competitive)
    	This level is complete carnage.  Both players start out with 5 lives
    	and the one left standing at the end wins.

    	#3: Exploration (cooperative)
    	Same a 1-player adventure, with both Todd and Rooney working together.

    	#4: Suspense (cooperative)
    	Both Todd and Rooney try to gather mushrooms to keep Slime World from
    	melting.

    	#5: Action (competitive)
    	Only one can win, so get to the exit quickly!

    	#6: Arcade (cooperative)
    	Get as far as you can with no restarts.

    Based on the six hours of play time I had last night I'd give Slime World
    a thumbs up.
Xref: sparky rec.games.video:20209 rec.games.video.arcade:8060