Oscar (Desktop Dynamite)
Oscar (AGA), developed by Flair Software and published in 1993. This version was included in the Commodore Amiga 1200 Desktop Dynamite Pack.
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Player's Review
"LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Tinseltown has a new Megastar. With more collectables, levels, enemies and warps than you can imagine, OSCAR is the ultimate platformer challenge. Step into the spotlight as OSCAR changes disguises to become the latest hero of the star studded Silver Screen. Loads of Levels & Secret Surprises. Mind Blowing Graphics Super Sonix & SFX. Wadds of Warps. Swing, Swim, Jump and Fly with THE COOLEST GUY IN HOLLYWOOD!
"OSCAR is the best game of its type by far" -JOYSTICK MEGASTAR
"OSCAR is going to be the new Mario/Sonic and that's why we're bundling it on the Amiga CD32 Worldwide and the A1200 in Europe" -COMMODORE
"It's the closest game to 100% yet. Go out and buy it - you won't be disappointed" -DDLF"
One of the best or the worst games on Amiga depending on how much you like colourful platformers. Whist it reason for existing was to show off the then new AGA chipset with all the colours and console like effects that you can now have on Amiga, mixing it in with some loads of collectables and baddies that blend in with the background and some platforming that doesnt really flow, you end up with a nice looking but very frustrating game to play. My eyesight may have actually been damaged playing this game as you try to focus on specific items whilst not running into enemies. I'm not a fan of platform games in general but this one really looks messy having to run around all over the place looking for that hidden Oscar. Some levels have warps which only seem to end the level without needing to collect the Oscar quota.
The object of the game is to run around collecting a specified number of Oscars before going to the clapper board to end the level. Along the way are many collectables that give score bonuses or abilities for a short time including a yoyo that can be used to hit enemies or swing to platforms. In most levels there are more Oscars than needed leaving you able to explore a bit before leaving the level. Bonus letters an be collected to allow you to play a bonus stage which are timed. If you spell Bogus then you need to pickup specific items before leaving the stage to earn the score bonus. Once an area has been completed (comprising of three levels) you go back to the level select screen. You can also go through bonus doors which take you to an even shorter bonus stage. The loading time is longer than the actual stage and the score bonus makes little difference. it's almost a pointless area.
One thing that stands out is that the gameplay is much the same as Trolls a game previously released by Flair Software. Even the red elephant from Trolls used for checkpoints is included. Somewhere along the lines this may have been 'Trolls II' before a change of direction and making a new character that can rival Mario or Sonic and even Bubsy! It is interesting to note the the SNES game features only four areas (12 levels) and Oscar isn't dressed to match the level theme. The game does play a little better though as the movement doesnt feel as bugged or broken as the Amiga game. The DSiware game is an odd one applying Oscar on top of the original levels from Trolls!.
Overall a nice looking game, cant fault the artists involved but the gameplay really lets it down. If you allow your self to run you are likely to run into an enemy. Some platforms are not as simple to reach as they should be. you can get stuck in the ground for a few moments on landing. There are times you can spawn on top of enemies instantly loosing health. The level maps are a mess and don't flow very well and the underwater effect is strange and can be quite jarring as it reflects when you are above it and reveals a new area when you are in the water. The AGA game is a lot of long loading sections which I could not chop out without making the music sound wrong. many of the shorter loading sections have been cut though but doesnt make much a difference to the overall length of the recording.
As a Packin game it does showcase what your new A1200 was capable of but on the other hand if you take it in with Dennis, the other pack in game, then you might wonder if you made the right choice especially if it was just for games.
00:00:00 Title Music / Credits
00:02:53 SciFi Scene 1
00:06:31 SciFi Scene 2
00:12:08 Bogus Stage
00:13:55 SciFi Stage 3
00:19:14 Bonus Stage
00:21:03 Bonus Stage
00:22:16 Horror Scene 1
00:27:00 Horror Scene 2
00:30:48 Bonus Stage
00:31:53 Horror Scene 3
00:35:55 Bonus Stage
00:37:08 Cartoon Scene 1
00:40:15 Cartoon Scene 2
00:45:03 Bonus Stage
00:46:37 Cartoon Stage 3
00:50:19 Bonus Stage
00:51:23 Western Scene 1
00:55:33 Bogus Stage
00:57:13 Western Scene 2
01:00:10 Western Scene 3
01:05:12 Bonus Stage
01:06:51 Bonus Stage
01:08:18 War Scene 1
01:12:47 War Scene 2
01:16:54 War Scene 3
01:21:17 Bonus Stage
01:22:56 Bonus Stage
01:24:37 Gameshow Scene 1
01:27:41 Gameshow Scene 2
01:30:32 Gameshow Scene 3
01:35:18 Bonus Stage
01:37:40 Bonus Stage
01:38:40 Prehistoric Scene 1
01:43:40 Bonus Stage
01:45:29 Prehistoric Scene 2
01:51:04 Bonus stage
01:52:41 Prehistoric Scene 3
01:57:55 Bonus Stage
01:58:33 Exit / Ending
"OSCAR is the best game of its type by far" -JOYSTICK MEGASTAR
"OSCAR is going to be the new Mario/Sonic and that's why we're bundling it on the Amiga CD32 Worldwide and the A1200 in Europe" -COMMODORE
"It's the closest game to 100% yet. Go out and buy it - you won't be disappointed" -DDLF"
One of the best or the worst games on Amiga depending on how much you like colourful platformers. Whist it reason for existing was to show off the then new AGA chipset with all the colours and console like effects that you can now have on Amiga, mixing it in with some loads of collectables and baddies that blend in with the background and some platforming that doesnt really flow, you end up with a nice looking but very frustrating game to play. My eyesight may have actually been damaged playing this game as you try to focus on specific items whilst not running into enemies. I'm not a fan of platform games in general but this one really looks messy having to run around all over the place looking for that hidden Oscar. Some levels have warps which only seem to end the level without needing to collect the Oscar quota.
The object of the game is to run around collecting a specified number of Oscars before going to the clapper board to end the level. Along the way are many collectables that give score bonuses or abilities for a short time including a yoyo that can be used to hit enemies or swing to platforms. In most levels there are more Oscars than needed leaving you able to explore a bit before leaving the level. Bonus letters an be collected to allow you to play a bonus stage which are timed. If you spell Bogus then you need to pickup specific items before leaving the stage to earn the score bonus. Once an area has been completed (comprising of three levels) you go back to the level select screen. You can also go through bonus doors which take you to an even shorter bonus stage. The loading time is longer than the actual stage and the score bonus makes little difference. it's almost a pointless area.
One thing that stands out is that the gameplay is much the same as Trolls a game previously released by Flair Software. Even the red elephant from Trolls used for checkpoints is included. Somewhere along the lines this may have been 'Trolls II' before a change of direction and making a new character that can rival Mario or Sonic and even Bubsy! It is interesting to note the the SNES game features only four areas (12 levels) and Oscar isn't dressed to match the level theme. The game does play a little better though as the movement doesnt feel as bugged or broken as the Amiga game. The DSiware game is an odd one applying Oscar on top of the original levels from Trolls!.
Overall a nice looking game, cant fault the artists involved but the gameplay really lets it down. If you allow your self to run you are likely to run into an enemy. Some platforms are not as simple to reach as they should be. you can get stuck in the ground for a few moments on landing. There are times you can spawn on top of enemies instantly loosing health. The level maps are a mess and don't flow very well and the underwater effect is strange and can be quite jarring as it reflects when you are above it and reveals a new area when you are in the water. The AGA game is a lot of long loading sections which I could not chop out without making the music sound wrong. many of the shorter loading sections have been cut though but doesnt make much a difference to the overall length of the recording.
As a Packin game it does showcase what your new A1200 was capable of but on the other hand if you take it in with Dennis, the other pack in game, then you might wonder if you made the right choice especially if it was just for games.
00:00:00 Title Music / Credits
00:02:53 SciFi Scene 1
00:06:31 SciFi Scene 2
00:12:08 Bogus Stage
00:13:55 SciFi Stage 3
00:19:14 Bonus Stage
00:21:03 Bonus Stage
00:22:16 Horror Scene 1
00:27:00 Horror Scene 2
00:30:48 Bonus Stage
00:31:53 Horror Scene 3
00:35:55 Bonus Stage
00:37:08 Cartoon Scene 1
00:40:15 Cartoon Scene 2
00:45:03 Bonus Stage
00:46:37 Cartoon Stage 3
00:50:19 Bonus Stage
00:51:23 Western Scene 1
00:55:33 Bogus Stage
00:57:13 Western Scene 2
01:00:10 Western Scene 3
01:05:12 Bonus Stage
01:06:51 Bonus Stage
01:08:18 War Scene 1
01:12:47 War Scene 2
01:16:54 War Scene 3
01:21:17 Bonus Stage
01:22:56 Bonus Stage
01:24:37 Gameshow Scene 1
01:27:41 Gameshow Scene 2
01:30:32 Gameshow Scene 3
01:35:18 Bonus Stage
01:37:40 Bonus Stage
01:38:40 Prehistoric Scene 1
01:43:40 Bonus Stage
01:45:29 Prehistoric Scene 2
01:51:04 Bonus stage
01:52:41 Prehistoric Scene 3
01:57:55 Bonus Stage
01:58:33 Exit / Ending
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