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Prehistorik Man is a video game. It�s also a platformer. It�s also a donation, from
our good friend James from Texas. And it�s also...a perfect example, of how a game with
awesome ideas can be ruined by bad execution.
We�re talking Einstein ideas.
Caveman execution.
Alright, so maybe it doesn�t have Einstein ideas, but...Prehistorik Man is actually an
interesting game. This thing was originally released as Prehistorik 2, a sequel to the
1991 platformer Prehistorik. Those games never made it to the major consoles, so when Prehistorik
2 was ported to the Super NES, it came with a new name.
Same problems, though.
So you play as Sam, a would-be heroic caveman if not for...his, you know, being a caveman.
I mean, he�s not the brightest bulb in the prehistoric pack, and in fact, he only seems
to accept the quest�in which he has to find food for his entire village�because he�s
promised the old man�s daughter, as a reward.
Oh, Sam. You...neanderthal, you.
Of course, despite his low brow and small brain, Sam�s actually ahead of the game.
That�s because Prehistorik Man isn�t exactly your typical 2D platformer. In fact, it almost
plays like a 3D game, at times. See, you�re not always just running to the endpoint. The
game often involves specific objectives. For example, find all three stones hidden in the
level, and bring them back to open a path.
I mean, the gameplay is obviously in 2D, but with the searching and the vehicles and the
open feel of the levels, this game does a lot more than just side scroll.
Another nice touch is that...the game just looks great. I mean, this thing came out in
1995, so that�s a pretty late release for the Super NES. And obviously, it looks the
part. It�s colorful, the sprites are great, there are huge bosses...Prehistorik Man looks
like a game you could fall in love with. Some of its ideas give you the same impression.
So, uh...what goes wrong?
Well, the biggest thing is...what almost always holds back a platform game. And that�s the
actual platforming. I mean, think back to the best Super NES platformers. Mario or Mega
Man or whatever...the movement�s always sharp and precise. The physics just feel right.
I guess cavemen didn�t understand physics.
Of course, the core gameplay is a bit repetitive, but honestly...it would be fine if the game
just played better. The objectives, the concept of collecting as much food as you can...that
stuff goes a long way. But it�s kind of hard to enjoy it when even the simplest platforming
is so problematic. There�s not much that bugs me more than a platformer with floaty
gameplay and bad hit detection.
I mean, Donkey Kong could grab a vine.
Why can�t Prehistorik Man?
Sigh. Great ideas, caveman execution.