All right you Wolves fans, it’s here…Creepy Castle. It’s an expanded version of a game you’re already addicted to. And take note, users of Classics, Power Books, and other compact Macs—this game is in black and white.
The old Wolves in the Woods game, written by Bill Appleton in 1990, is now one scenario in a four-part game. Finished in October 1991 are additional scenarios called the Graveyard, the Castle, and the Dungeon. Reactor Software has taken this complete program and added an entertaining users’ manual, complete with horror movie trivia used as passwords to enter the game.
Creepy Castle challenges the player to lead the hero, Melvin “T-Bone” Powers, in his attempts to earn powers in each of three scenarios. In the woods he attains the Werewolf power of jumping. In the Graveyard, he earns the power of throwing. In the Castle, with many vampires, bats, and trap doors, T-Bone manages to collect a key to the dungeon and a crucifix to defeat the last vampire in the tower. All of these lead T-Bone to the final arena, the dungeon, where the object is to defeat the evil doctor and rescue the helpless (?) victim.
Keyboard controls and action audio are features of Creepy Castle. On an extended keyboard the cursor keys move T-Bone in various directions. Four alpha-numeric keys may be used on a standard keyboard to accomplish the same thing. Four other keys, which can be custom configured, cause the hero to throw, punch, kick, or perform the needed action (i.e. climbing a ladder). Arcade-type audio includes creepy crypt music as well as action sounds right out of the old Batman series—oof, ouch, ugh, pow. Then there are the human and animal sounds, complete with dogs barking, wolves howling, and beasts growling.
Two young persons (ages 15 & 20) tested the game over a two-month period. They determined that the game is habit forming for action game and arcade lovers ages 8 to 20 (and for those who feel that young). The game itself plays easily, but the defeat of the evil doctor is almost impossible. The testers sent a plea for help to Reactor, Inc. Rich Saenz responded immediately with a nice letter and a very helpful hint.
Using Mr. Saenz’s hint, the testers were finally able to defeat the doctor and free the victim. There was a small disappointment, however, when the winning screen said, “Congratulations, you have now defeated the evil doctor at the Beginner’s Level.” They are continuing their quest to lead T-Bones through the intermediate, advanced, and expert levels.
This is a fun one for the younger set, and the product support from Reactor is super.
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