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Screens & Info Updated: 9/3/2003 We've put some time into Microsoft's mascot-driven platformer Voodoo Vince, and while no Sonic, Mario, Jak or Ratchet, it's not a bad little game. The game has not scored much press recently, so most gamers will probably totally miss the game when it hits store shelves later this month.
Your creator, Madam Charmaine, has been snatched by a gang of thugs looking to get their hands on some powerful voodoo magic, and it's up to you (a voodoo doll by the name of Vince), to rescue her and save the world. Typical goofy platformer plot, but one with a few fun and humorous twists so far. Voodoo Vince is a nice looking game, with well animated cartoon-like characters and enemies, and fairly detailed New Orleans-themed environments. VV runs at a solid 30fps framerate, and has sort of a Blinx look to it, though with more style. Visually, it doesn't really hold a candle to the amazingly huge and detailed Jak II or Ratchet and Clank, but it is pretty enough. The camera is pretty stable so far. Being a voodoo doll, the world looks quite a bit larger than it would to a human, so normal everyday obstacles become a bigger deal for Vince. Enemies such as evil gingerbread men, zombies and killer crawfish pursue Vince relentlessly, but he has a few moves to protect himself. As far as basic moves are concerned, Vince, like most other 3D platformer characters, can perform a triple-punch attack combo, a spin move, a double jump, a butt-stomp, etc. By collecting magical beads (no flashing of body parts required), he can perform a few different voodoo magical attacks which can easily wipe out a room of enemies; And by finding special voodoo items, Vince can also learn new abilities. Being a voodoo doll, Vince has one big advantage most other game heroes do not. By hurting himself in specific ways (pins, jumping in a blender, getting hit with a falling safe, lightning), Vince can dish out the damage to his enemies and solve puzzles. Vince is a funny little character, who doesn't really try to be extreme or full of attitude. The jokes are so far, thankfully, not too grating on the ears. The humorous voice-over work and authentic sounding N'orleans soundtrack is well done and adds to the atmosphere of the game. Check back towards the end of this month for a Review of Voodoo Vince. It may get lost in the shuffle of the rest of the big releases this Fall, but Xbox owners looking for some platforming fun, may want to keep an eye on it.
Microsoft Game Studios announced a rather interesting and wacky, brand new Xbox platformer today. Voodoo Vince stars a living voodoo doll who must explore the depths of the Louisiana Bayou, which is full to the brim of crazy and weird characters and environments. Intsead of trying not to take damage, Vince actually must attempt to harm himself in any way possible. Vince can poke himself with pins, bonk himself in the head with a mallet, or seek out a blazing fire to inflict pain on monsters and villains -- all without Vince even batting an eye. Levels include the French Quarter, crawfish-laden swamps, a funky jazz alley and a network of boggy sewers, and more. The bayou is inhabited by plenty of outrageous characters, such as GingerDead Men who are less than sugar-coated, to a pair of intoxicated gas pumps that offer up a fiery challenge. Voodoo Vince will give the player the ability to pilot toy airplanes, saddle up on a bucking wild rat, enjoy a high speed ride on a bayou fan boat and navigate a submariner shrimp. We'll be back with an update in the near future.
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