Platform games have always been a popular genre. They ruled the release schedules when 16-bit was king. Although publishers have strayed from this game format in recent time, I believe that many will return as 32-bit and 64-bit gaming engines allow for innovations in the style, perspective and versatility of the gameplay. A platformer that is done right is a joy to play, from the control to the sights to see. Willy Wombat does not necessarily bring anything new to the table but what it does is give us a fun game with some nice 32-bit tricks. It also gives us a rotosoping landscape which is a glimpse of what may lie ahead.
Our caped Wombat stands over a keyhole...

		Willy's weapon is a crescent boomerang that he flings at his many enemies. Willy can also power up so that he tosses out two converging boomerangs that take out twice as many opponents.
Willy strolls towards a gaggle of skulls and spirits				Wombat whirls a mean boomerang

		As mentioned before, the cool effect in Willy Wombat is that the entire landscape can be rotated around you. For example, in the picture to the left, Willy stands at the center of a platform that is surrounded by other platforms. You may rotate the screen so that any one of the platforms stands in front of you so that you can hop onto it. There are mazes in the many levels of Wombat as well so the rotating field is a useful tool for spinning the maze so you can see where you're going and what your surroundings are. This effect works well thanks to the smoothness and ease of the motion. The rotation effect may also be used to your advantage when you unleash your boomerangs of death.
Wombat amidst a lake of lava

Willy's other talent is short distance gliding. Like a real wombat, he can take flight and glide for a short distance until he loses wind. This helps him avoid obstacles and to glide over otherwise unpassable terrain. In some cases, gliding is essential in continuing the level so gamers will have to time the gliding duration during perilous spots. Willy Wombat is playable, fun and has an interesting main character. Consider him a sort of anti-hero with a devious and sinister side. The picture below should help relay his sinister side pretty clearly. He's a rascal. Recommended for platformer fans ~ if you enjoy games with arcade-style platform play mechanics, this one's for you.
		Gliding frees Willy from the burdens of walking

		Willy walks with the moon on his back as a somber city sleeps. Look a little closer at the bauble he's tossing into the night air. Its an eye, blue in color, with associated detritus trailing it as it falls back to Willy's outstretched glove. Nice guy.
		This document is © National Console Support 1997