Time Gate
PCCD-ROM
Minimum requirements:
486DX/33MHz; 8MB
RAM; 25MB hard disk space; dual speed CD
ROM drive; DOS 5.0;
VGA.
£34.99
BACK To The Future it is not, but our hero Wil Tibbs does find himself travelling back in time to the 14th century. Unknown to himself, Tibbs is the reincarnation of the founder of the sacred order of the Knights Templar, and while studying law in Paris his girlfriend mysteriously goes missing.
Contemplating his next move at home, Tibbs is suddenly confronted by a warrior from the past, who tells him if he wants to see his girlfriend again he must go to the Museum of the History and Tradition of the Middle Ages. This is where the adventure begins.
The first thing to strike you about Time Gate is its resemblance - visually at least - to the Alone In The Dark series. There is no Edward Carnby here, but it doesn't take long to realise that this is to all intents and purposes Alone In The Dark IV (that is no bad thing in itself: the Alone trilogy are among the very best adventure games to adorn the PC).
Again the main character is faced with a plethora of puzzles to solve. These differ in complexity and most are intertwined in some respect. But unlike Alone In The Dark they have to be solved in a more linear fashion. This, rather than being a step forward, represents a step backwards. That said, some of them prove to be great tension builders and require precise timing as well as quick thinking. Consequently, successful completion will reward you with a great sense of achievement.
One of the flaws in the Alone series was in the combat scenes. Your success was more hit and miss than actual skill and, despite having more weapons and moves to choose from in Time Gale, fighting your adversaries is still down to a good deal of luck. Another sore point with Alone In The Dark was the uncertainty while searching areas for artefacts.
Because you had to be in exactly the right place you were never quite sure if you had missed an item or not. Unfortunately the same goes for, Time Gate.
It's only because these games are so good that one can criticise them for these minor faults. Also on the plus side is the fact that Time Gate has improved graphics and bigger areas to explore than its predecessors.
Graphics: 87%
Sound: 86%
Gameplay: 86%
Rayman
PC CD-ROM
Minimum requirements: 486DX/33MHz; 4MB RAM; Dual speed CD ROM drive; DOS 5.0; VGA. £22.99
RAYMAN is not your average sort of guy. In, fact he has no legs, no arms and no neck! But he does have some of those other vital parts that make up a body, such as a head, feet and hands. However, the animators who created this lively character have done such a good job that, at first glance, you wouldn't realise that his limbs are missing.
Rayman is basically one of your old school platform games but with a touch of finesse. At first Rayman is fairly restricted in that he has no form of attack/defence. But as you progress through the game he can receive both temporary and permanent powers.
The first of the lasting powers, for example, is the fist, which he can throw at varying distances in the direction of a vast array of adversaries.
It's not often that a platformer of this calibre makes it onto PC CD ROM. But Rayman, throughout its 60 levels, is bursting with colour, imagination and ambient sound. It also plays extremely well to boot and is one of the few games that the whole family will enjoy, no matter what the age.
Graphics: 90%
Sound: 89%
Gameplay: 90%