Harry Potter goes old school
Fans of classic platformers like Manic Miner, Jetpack and Pitfall would be well advised to check out this little-known gem from 1994. It features a surprisingly deep and detailed storyline, which tells the tale of an apprentice magician named Hocus, who must prove his worth by completing a series of tasks set by the Council of Wizards. These tasks require the player to collect the magic crystals that will allow Hocus to unleash his true potential, while also winning the hand of his sweetheart. Along the way, Hocus encounters all number of enemies out to defeat him, including walking mushrooms, giant lizards and even Eskimos. While not especially original or imaginative, this is actually a solid platformer, which benefits from tight controls, eye-catching graphics, and even some excellent music and neat sound effects. A variety of potions and power-ups are available and added interest is provided by the boss encounters. Although individual levels are quite short, there are enough to provide a good challenge, and each has its own distinct visual flair with cool character design and some striking graphical effects. Overall, this is a sound platformer that stands up as a good example of the genre and is to be recommended.
