AT LAST A "DOOM" GAME FOR KIDS!
A Review of Hurl
by Susan Davis
With all of the outcry against violence in computer games, Millennium Media Group has entered the arena with a game that's sure to please parents while still entertaining their kids. Millennium's new game H.U.R.L. has been billed as a first person game for "Baby Doomers," and it does play remarkably like Doom (tm) but without the violence.
You play the game from the first person perspective, never seeing your
character.
You move through the streets of the Slob Zone using either the
keyboard arrows or your mouse, with several other keys like the Control and
Alt keys providing additional functions. Your mission is simple: survive
through the different levels until you catch Bob the Slob and clean up the
Slob Zone. Bob and his buddies have cluttered up the environment with all
kinds of trash, and they'll try to keep you from your objective by tossing
dirt at you. If you become too dirty, you'll have to start the level all
over again.
Of course, you've got some help from two directions. The first is raincoats, umbrellas, and wipe-ups that help you clean yourself off when you get dirty. Also, you have access to coin-operated showers, and the occasional free sink, toilet, or fire hydrant to wash up at. Use the space bar to operate these devices, as well as for opening doors and activating the vending machines. The vending machines are your second source of help. As you clean up the Zone, you'll get both points and money for picking up trash. And that money will come in handy at the vending machines. You can purchase offensive help like water balloons, soap, and deodorant to throw at Bob's critters. If you are attacked by the ducks, twisters, or other dirt-throwing creatures, you can throw your weapons at them to stop them. Once they surrender, they'll just stand there and wave their arms while you go about your business.
The graphics and animation in H.U.R.L. are both cute and high-quality. The
images are crisp and inviting, but simple enough for younger children to
appreciate. Of course, even I enjoyed watching the Ricochet Pigs bouncing
off the walls when hit with a water balloon. While the plot and the graphics
are suited best for children ages 5 to 9, parents will enjoy helping their
kids play this game. Everything is organized around images, so kids don't
have to worry about vocabulary levels or complex procedures to follow. The
gameplay is smooth and crisp, and the sound effects are very realistic. When
that dirt hits you, the sound is instantly recognizable. And the flushing
toilet sounds just like the one down the hall.
The instructions are somewhat sketchy, so parents should expect to spend a little time at the beginning helping kids to understand the basic gameplay. Once you have played through a level or so with them, kids will have picked up the rudiments, and then you can turn them loose to explore. And once the kids get going, like in Doom, you'll have a hard time pulling them away. The difference is that instead of exposing children to violence and mayhem, H.U.R.L. teaches them the value of cleanliness, both personally and for the environment. The best part of it all is that the message is integrated carefully into the game and conveyed subtly.
If your kids are not used to a keyboard-based game, H.U.R.L. might take some adjustment, but it's worth the effort. The hardware requirements are a little steep for a children's game, but if you do have the equipment to run H.U.R.L., it is well worth the price. If you've been considering an upgrade to your computer, this just might be the game to motivate you to go for it. And with H.U.R.L. you have a chance to give your kids an entertaining and educational game that reinforces some positive values while providing the fast-paced gameplay that kids really like.
Gamer's Zone Scorecard
| Product: |
Hurl |
| Company: |
Millennium Media Group
|
| Cost: |
$26.95 |
System Requirements:
IBM PC/Compatible, 486/25 minimum, 486/33 recommended;
DOS 5.0 or higher, CD-ROM drive, VGA graphics
4MB RAM minimum, 8MB recommended
550K free base memory, Sound Card and Mouse optional.
Breakdown:
Fun Factor 5
Graphics 4
Sound 4
Interface 5
Replayability 5
Overall Score:
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