‘They say when a giant demon jaguar is about
to end your existence, your life flashes before your eyes …. Actually, nobody
says that, but then few have ever seen a giant demon jaguar …’

Well, that circle is about to expand, thanks
to Activision and Edge of Reality who bring the three-dimensional
arcade-adventure title Pitfall: The Lost Expedition to the Xbox.

Pitfall: The Lost Expedition follows a journey
that begins at one juncture in time, then quickly moves backwards to the events
leading up to the place in time. Pitfall Harry is the star of the game and the
one that players will control.

Harry is on a plane with a group of eclectic
scientists (including a female scientist who spurns all of Harry’s attempts to
be suave) when a storm forces the plane down. Most of the scientists are able to
parachute out, but there is not enough chutes left for Harry and one other.

Much to Harry’s surprise, he finds himself
alive and on the floor of the jungle. His first task is simple – get to the
remains of the plane and look for another survivor. To do that, he will have to
avoid toothed-gaping holes in the ground, monkeys, crocodiles, piranha, chasms
and scorpions. All in a day’s work.

There will be vines to swing across the great
fall-away areas, fountains to rejuvenate the life bar, and trophies to collect
and shamans to spend the trophies at. The shaman offers the opportunity to
upgrade health or get some power-ups, such as Smash Strike or Super Sling. You
can even get Break Dance if you so desire. And yes, it has applications in the
context of the game.

The early levels act as a tutorial to the
overall game. Players are guided through the control elements as situations
occur to test various capabilities of the players. If there is a drawback to all
this, it lays in that the game does not vary much. There are places to replenish
health and you can explore the levels for idols, which can be converted into
power-ups along the way.

The control elements are simple to use. Where
the game really excels, though, is graphically. This is a lush world, with fluid
animation elements. The camera is lockable behind Harry, but can be rotated to
survey the world and look for that lever or path through that may be hidden
behind foliage or rock.

The pacing of this game is rather frenetic.
Something is always there to move Harry along, where it is coconut-throwing
natives, or traps.

Pitfall: The Lost Expedition has the nuances
of a pulp fiction novel meets Indiana Jones with a little slapstick tossed in
for good measure. The jokes are not ‘fall on the floor’ funny, but may elicit a
smile or two. This is a game that is somewhat linear, but nonetheless enjoyable.

Veteran adventure gamers may find this a
little too simple, while newcomers will find an easy access to the genre.

Gameplay: 7

This game does have load times and is rather
linear in design.

Graphics: 8.8

Lush and colorful with 360-degree panoramic
views, the graphics are far and away the most wonderful element of this game.

Sound: 8

This game sports a solid audio track that does
a fine job of supporting the graphical elements.

Difficulty: Easy

The puzzles in this game are just too easy.

Concept: 7.5

The developers have done a nice job of taking
the side-scrolling adventure title and realizing it in a rich 3D environment.
The controls are easy to get a handle on, but the game is rather predictable.

Overall: 7.1

Strong graphical elements power this title
along. It is amusing and entertaining. That said, veterans of the side-scrolling
arcade-like adventure titles might find it a touch predictable.