Oscar
Oscar, developed and published by by Flair Software in 1993. The game was released singularly at retail as well as bundled with every CD32 pack in a dual compilation with Diggers. (How does this even make sense)
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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 Swing, Swim, Jump and Fly with THE COOLEST GUY IN HOLLYWOOD! Wadds of Warps"
Oscar was a launch title for the CD32 bundled on the same cd with Diggers by Millennium and appears in future packs as well. So how did it make sense to release both games singularly at retail. There are a few versions of the bundle version available and it looks to me the very first release had an issue where Oscar was missing its audio tracks and was fixed in later releases. Oscar was released on the A500 and A1200 with AGA enhancements. The CD32 game adds additional audio tracks as well as two extra worlds including Commodore themed stages. I should add that the additional cd audio seems to have been lazily applied as it starts playing over the countdown music before each stage.
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 Oscars. 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.
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.
As a Packin game it does give you a glimpse of what the console is capable of but you are left hoping for more. The additional levels are interesting and perhaps should have been at the start of the game as they are a little easier to navigate and learn some needed techniques to traverse the levels. Kids TV looks to be based on Toyland from the original Trolls game. If it any time you see me bust a wall open but not go through then it likely leads to a warp ending the level.
00:00:00 Title Music / Credits
00:02:37 SciFi Scene 1
00:05:38 SciFi Scene 2
00:10:34 SciFi Scene 3
00:14:47 Bonus Stage
00:15:48 Horror Scene 1
00:20:18 Horror Scene 2
00:24:51 Horror Scene 3
00:28:13 Bonus Stage
00:29:05 Cartoon Scene 1
00:32:03 Cartoon Scene 2
00:36:12 Cartoon Stage 3
00:39:55 Bonus Stage
00:40:42 Western Scene 1
00:44:10 Western Scene 2
00:47:24 Western Scene 3
00:53:16 Bonus Stage
00:54:14 War Scene 1
00:58:44 War Scene 2
01:04:46 War Scene 3
01:09:00 Bonus Stage
01:09:47 Gameshow Scene 1
01:12:28 Gameshow Scene 2
01:15:32 Gameshow Scene 3
01:20:44 Bonus Stage
01:21:23 Prehistoric Scene 1
01:23:33 Prehistoric Scene 2
01:27:00 Prehistoric Scene 3
01:32:48 Bonus Stage
01:33:43 CBM Scene 1
01:38:12 CBM Scene 2
01:42:30 CBM Scene 3
01:46:45 Bonus Stage
01:47:34 Kids TV Scene 1
01:51:03 Kids TV Scene 2
01:55:07 Kids TV Scene 3
01:59:18 Bonus Stage
01:59:50 Exit / Ending
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 Swing, Swim, Jump and Fly with THE COOLEST GUY IN HOLLYWOOD! Wadds of Warps"
Oscar was a launch title for the CD32 bundled on the same cd with Diggers by Millennium and appears in future packs as well. So how did it make sense to release both games singularly at retail. There are a few versions of the bundle version available and it looks to me the very first release had an issue where Oscar was missing its audio tracks and was fixed in later releases. Oscar was released on the A500 and A1200 with AGA enhancements. The CD32 game adds additional audio tracks as well as two extra worlds including Commodore themed stages. I should add that the additional cd audio seems to have been lazily applied as it starts playing over the countdown music before each stage.
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 Oscars. 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.
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.
As a Packin game it does give you a glimpse of what the console is capable of but you are left hoping for more. The additional levels are interesting and perhaps should have been at the start of the game as they are a little easier to navigate and learn some needed techniques to traverse the levels. Kids TV looks to be based on Toyland from the original Trolls game. If it any time you see me bust a wall open but not go through then it likely leads to a warp ending the level.
00:00:00 Title Music / Credits
00:02:37 SciFi Scene 1
00:05:38 SciFi Scene 2
00:10:34 SciFi Scene 3
00:14:47 Bonus Stage
00:15:48 Horror Scene 1
00:20:18 Horror Scene 2
00:24:51 Horror Scene 3
00:28:13 Bonus Stage
00:29:05 Cartoon Scene 1
00:32:03 Cartoon Scene 2
00:36:12 Cartoon Stage 3
00:39:55 Bonus Stage
00:40:42 Western Scene 1
00:44:10 Western Scene 2
00:47:24 Western Scene 3
00:53:16 Bonus Stage
00:54:14 War Scene 1
00:58:44 War Scene 2
01:04:46 War Scene 3
01:09:00 Bonus Stage
01:09:47 Gameshow Scene 1
01:12:28 Gameshow Scene 2
01:15:32 Gameshow Scene 3
01:20:44 Bonus Stage
01:21:23 Prehistoric Scene 1
01:23:33 Prehistoric Scene 2
01:27:00 Prehistoric Scene 3
01:32:48 Bonus Stage
01:33:43 CBM Scene 1
01:38:12 CBM Scene 2
01:42:30 CBM Scene 3
01:46:45 Bonus Stage
01:47:34 Kids TV Scene 1
01:51:03 Kids TV Scene 2
01:55:07 Kids TV Scene 3
01:59:18 Bonus Stage
01:59:50 Exit / Ending
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