Does this game need an
introduction? I think most of you would expect me to talk about the past and
what the original Pitfall was like. But that’s old news. There’s a good chance
that you’ve played it at least once even if you weren’t born when it was
originally released.
That brings us to the
newest Pitfall game – The Lost Expedition. There’s a story behind the game, but
does it really matter? Pitfall Harry is back and is ready to explore the jungle
once more.
As you may or may not
have expected, The Lost Expedition is a fairly linear game. While there is some
backtracking involved, the story of the game usually pushes you toward the goal,
which is almost always to move forward. With that in mind, you can probably
assume the obvious: this is very much a 3D version of the classic Pitfall.
There’s more of
everything, and it’s all on a much grander scale. You’ll battle crocodiles and
flame-retardant enemies. You’ll grab vines and swing over deadly plants that
want to make Harry their dinner. You’ll also use explosives and various tools
that will aid you in your expedition. In a nutshell, playing this game is like
playing any great classic that has been revived for the third dimension. The
experience takes you back in time but is fresh enough to keep you interested.
With a somewhat linear
level design, you can look forward to some fast, run-and-jump, Crash
Bandicoot-style gameplay. The controls, game goals and other aspects are
entirely different from Crash, but the thrill of always moving forward is very
Crash-esque.
The game begins with a
battle that takes place 24 hours after the game begins. Once the battle ends,
the game jumps back in time, showing you why Pitfall Harry is there in the first
place.
Anxious for action, I
skipped the intro and headed into the game. While I wouldn’t say the levels are
exotic, they are quite cool, especially in the way that the platforms are laid
out. You’ll have to become a master of the control scheme (which is easy to
learn) and their subtle nuances (not-so-easy to learn) before you’ll be able to
fully master this game.
One of the welcome
additions to the series is Pitfall Harry’s new moves. He can double jump, punch
and lunge forward, perform simple attack combos, and roll into a Sonic-sized
ball for easy navigation. There are times in which you’ll have to cross a path
with large barriers. Only a tiny hole remains open, and the only way for
Pitfall Harry to a go through it is by scrunching his body into the tightest
ball possible. This is easy on the player’s behalf – just press the R1 button.
You can also perform a sweep kick attack while rolling around.
All of these control
aspects are great. The odd thing is the camera system. You can’t change the
camera angle with the right analog stick! The developers decided to use the
right analog stick for picking up objects. Why I’m not sure – this doesn’t add
anything to the experience. In fact, it makes it a little more frustrating at
times. That would be acceptable if you could use the stick to maneuver the
camera as well. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, especially if the only next-gen
game you’ve ever played is Mario 64. That game used buttons to change the
camera just like Pitfall does. But now that I’ve played a zillion next-gen
games I’ve grown accustomed to the analog stick standard. It’s not a huge
issue, but it does make the game a little confusing at first.
The Lost Expedition looks
good visually with its goofy cartoon style. As you can see from any of the
in-game shots, it doesn’t use any cel-shading techniques. Still, it reminds me
of a 3D cartoon; Pitfall Harry’s design is really silly. It’s exaggerated to
the point that it’s almost annoying, and I suppose in any other game it would
be. But when you look at the rest of the game’s visuals and take everything
else into account, his style works pretty well.
As far as the technical
side of the graphics go, I never noticed any slowdown, clipping, or anything
else that would damage the gameplay. It’s smooth sailing (or in this case,
exploring) from start to finish.
I was a little surprised
by the game’s sound. It’s subtle, and doesn’t always include loud music, which
suits the atmosphere of the game.
While this game is not
for everyone, anyone who likes Pitfall, Crash, or action games of this kind
should definitely give Pitfall: The Lost Expedition a shot. Don’t expect a
Sonic or Ratchet & Clank-style quest; while you may have seen the game promoted
alongside those titles, it is very different from the typical action/adventure.
If you can envision what the original Pitfall would be like in 3D you’ll have a
pretty good idea of what The Lost Expedition is like. It’s not the longest game
in the world, but there are quite a few levels, two bonus games (the original
Pitfall and its sequel), and some hidden secrets, so don’t expect the experience
to be over too quickly.
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Gameplay: 8
Before I wrote
this part of the review I just had to go and play the first level one more
time. Shigeru Miyamoto (creator Mario) has said in numerous interviews that the
first level in a game is what he calls a "throw away level." I totally
disagree. Not only is the first level in Pitfall: The Lost Expedition one of my
favorite, but the same goes for the first level in most of Miyamoto’s games.
Of
course, Pitfall has a lot of great levels. I especially liked the ones that
involved a lot of jumping and vine-swinging. Swinging from platform to platform
seems so dangerous at first – and thanks to the less-than-perfect camera, it’s
not easy either. But once you get a feel for the camera and compensate for its
flaws, the game opens up and feels so free. It’s fun to just rush through each
level. That’s the kind of game this is. It’s less about careful exploration
and more about having a good time right here, right now.
Graphics: 8
Fully-rendered
backgrounds with a cartoon touch. The Lost Expedition’s exaggerated visuals are
consistently good throughout the game.
Sound: 8
Surprisingly
decent. Not that I expected the music to suck, but you don’t always hear music
in this game. And yet, even when you don’t, the sound is still good. It’s not
too loud or obnoxious. It’s subtle. Outside of a war game involving major
gunfights, subtlety is usually a sound designer’s best bet.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
A moderately easy
quest geared at a less experienced audience. Fun for the hardcore players, but
they’ll beat it much faster.
Concept: 8
Pitfall in the
third dimension. Lots of new additions, including some taken from today’s
premiere action and platform games.
Overall: 8
Gamers should be
thankful for all of the competition Pitfall: The Lost Expedition has. Without
it, the game might not retail for $39.99. Certainly that price is more
attractive, but if you knew the game sucked would a lower price really matter?
This game doesn’t suck
though. In fact, it mostly rocks. It’s not perfect and it’s not for everyone.
Some gamers will want more action. Some gamers will want more of a challenge.
But if you understand and appreciate the kind of game this is, you’ll really
enjoy it.
