|
|
Game Information
|
Preview
|
Review |
Screenshots
|
Forum |
»Atomic Betty
"Atomic Betty? More like "Atomic Better""
Atomic Betty? Should have been called Atomic Better...because this game is just all-around better than its counterpart, the Berenstain Bears. While Bears was an exercise in what NOT to do when making a game, it seems this game got all the pampering and it shows. This game, while not perfect, is actually kind of a joy to play while Bears is an utter chore. Both games are of the same style, sidescrolling puzzle solving with a team of people with different skills, however Atomic Betty has all the class.
I'm guessing Atomic Betty is based on a television show of some sort, although i've never seen or heard of it (the style kinda reminds me of Ren and Stimpy in a girlish way for some reason, but its really not like that in-game). You play the role of Betty, schoolgirl by day, defender of the universe by night...Or whenever she's called upon by her communicator. The story seems typical of these sort of common "double-life" cartoons, nevertheless it has its entertaining moments. The game's levels take place in both of Betty's lives, on earth in her schoolgirl atmosphere and in her defender of the cosmos one. A semi-entertaining story? Already this game is leaps and bounds better than Berenstain...But there is more, oh so much more!
The actual gameplay is better than that of its lower-budget counterpart, with the levels designed in such a way that you aren't given the answers for all the challenges (yes I know Berenstain was a children's game). However the game still isn't super difficult puzzle wise, so why did they bother making a second game that plays the same way to begin with? Most of the puzzles have to do with activating switches to trigger elevators to be able to complete all the checkpoints of your objective, be it gather homework or infiltrate computer systems. If that is all the game was then it would be rather boring, however this is not the case. Each "checkpoint" has a mini-game that you must complete in order to pass, and while the mini-games themself are not overly complex, they do add a nice change of pace to the puzzle solving. As if that wasn't enough there are also space shooter levels much in the same style of Iridion 3D...Minus the impossibility. Oh, and there are also a few boss battles too boot! Man, Berenstain, eat your heart out.
This game has massive personality! When not in use, a character will just sit around and do something to entertain themselves (and you). Whether it be listening to an iPod and dancing around or playing with their yoyo, it is these extra touches that bring life to a game.The levels are also designed much more cleaner graphically than the ones in Bears. While these level graphics aren't the most detailed on earth they are still clean and rather good, instead of hap-hazardously spread about like the levels in Bears. It is amazing how a few aesthetic touches can help a game's presentation.There are still-shots of scenes from the show (I guess) to tell the story during cutscenes, and there is even a short video clip of Betty transforming when she...Uh, transforms.
Ok, so gameplay is pretty good, the graphics are clean...How about the sound? Well, its a mixed bag as usual, but with not as sharp a contrast. To tell you the truth I was fairly shocked when I turned the game on and was treated to the theme song of the show (I guess) being sang on a loop for the title screen. That set me up with high expectations. The music is pretty good, yet still has that unintrusive "oh, you're solving a puzzle, I wont bother you then" tone. There are also voice clips every now and then to further immerse you into Betty's world. One thing I was NOT pleased with was the fact that when Betty punches or kicks something, it makes no noise at all...This will not do.When you punch or kick or combo something you expect to hear crunches and clangs, but here you will hear nothing. You just push buttons and hope you are hitting the enemy, because you sure won't be getting any sounds to reassure you. Other than that gripe the sound for the game is overall good.
So, while I cannot ever recommend Berenstain Bears for any age group, I CAN recommend Betty. This game isn't super hard and it isn't full of blood and gore and sex, so I can't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to give this to a child. If your child needs the constant hand holding that the Bears game gives them then they probably aren't old enough to be responsible for taking care of a GBA/DS, so take that away from them ASAP!This game uses the dreaded password save, so it loses a few points for that. On the other hand, the passwords only consist of 4 pictures that you have to remember and not 24 different letters/numbers/symbols or what have you...So it isn't TERRIBLE. Password saves are just cumbersome to begin with, i'd rather do without them.The final verdict is, "Ignore Bears...Buy Betty!"
Article by: mrtama
Posted on: Dec. 9th, 2005 |
|
|
|
Review Recap |
| Gameplay |
| Find switches to activate doors/elevators to finish objectives. Would have been a bit boring if it wasn't for the mini-games and shooter levels. |
 |
|
|
Graphics |
| Pretty good. Represents the cartoon world of Atomic Betty well. Animations of characters are lively and amusing. |
 |
|
|
Sound |
| Ranges from good to cool! The intro theme song really does kind of wow you for a GBA game. I would have liked battle-collision noises for the punches, but oh well. |
 |
|
|
Replay Value |
| Not too sure you would play this again after beating it. I mean there is only so many times you can go through these maze-like levels. If you did play again it would probably be for the shooter levels or mini games. |
 |
|
|
Comments |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
