The Pagemaster (video game)

The Pagemaster
Developer(s) Probe Software Ltd. (Genesis, SNES, Game Boy)
Mammoth Micro Productions (Windows)
Publisher(s) Fox Interactive (Genesis, SNES, Game Boy)
Turner Interactive (Windows)
Platform(s) Genesis/Mega Drive, SNES, Windows 3.x, Game Boy
Release 1994
Genre(s) Action
Mode(s) Single-player

The Pagemaster is a video game released in conjunction with the 1994 film The Pagemaster. A character can be guided through a selection of literature genre-themed levels, ranging from horror to adventure and fantasy worlds. Magic can be used, and stomping enemies to death by jumping on their heads is permitted. Enemies include bats, flying books, giant hands, ghosts, pirates, and more. The PC version of the game is completely different; it is an interactive adventure game that has a plot unrelated to that of the movie.

Reception

GamePro gave the SNES version a mixed review. They criticized the poor controls and repetitiveness, commenting that "Almost all of Pagemaster is redundant platform jumping against the same enemies who appear over and over again." However, they praised the graphics for their colorful and effective recreations of the settings for famous novels and concluded the game "isn't bad, it just isn't as fun as it could've been."[1] The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly also considered it a just above average game. They praised the movie-like graphics and audio, but criticized the controls, saying the character tends to slide around, and felt the game to be generally uninteresting. They gave it a 6.5 out of 10 average.[2] They held the Genesis version in lower regard, giving it a 6 out of 10 and commenting that "This game would be enjoyable, but the control just isn't there."[3] GamePro similarly commented that the Genesis version is good in most respects, but that the poor controls make it an overall mediocre game.[4]

Reviewing the Game Boy version, GamePro praised the diverse gameplay, detailed graphics, and atmospheric music, but remarked that the poor control ruins the entire experience. They particularly cited jumps requiring excessive precision and slippery control, remarking that "Richard slides from platforms so often you'll think his soles are oiled."[5]

References

  1. ↑ "ProReview: The Pagemaster". GamePro (65). IDG. December 1994. p. 140.
  2. ↑ "Review Crew: Pagemaster". Electronic Gaming Monthly (65). EGM Media, LLC. December 1994. p. 38.
  3. ↑ "Review Crew: The Pagemaster". Electronic Gaming Monthly (65). EGM Media, LLC. December 1994. p. 40.
  4. ↑ "ProReview: The Pagemaster". GamePro (66). IDG. January 1995. p. 50.
  5. ↑ "ProReview: The Pagemaster". GamePro (65). IDG. December 1994. p. 212.
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