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Hold your breath, because you're going to need to when you read this review.
Superfrog is probably one of the best-known 2D Platformers for the Amiga, and definitely one of Team17's best efforts pre-Worms. However, as well-known as it may be, the opinions along gamers regarding Superfrog are widespread, from some (myself included) who regard it as one of the greatest 2D Platformers ever, to others who see it as 'just another platformer', or 'a Sonic clone for the Amiga'.
But whatever you may think about Superfrog, you cannot argue with fact - most gamers absolutely love it.
Superfrog's plot is a rather skewed fairy tale (described in the manual as 'almost a fairy tale', in fact), in which the Witch kidnaps the Princess and turns the Prince into a Frog. Sound familiar? Okay, but then the Frog drinks some Lucozade and turns into a Superhero? Not so familiar, in fact, but that is all of a story we need to start playing Superfrog. Drink Lucozade, rescue Princess. What a story!
The first think you'll notice about playing Superfrog is that it is, graphically, stunning. Feel how you will about Superfrog, but you cannot deny that Superfrog has some of the best graphics on the Amiga, especially considering its time. From the introductory sequence by the legendary Eric Schwartz to the final battle with the Witch, the whole thing has a very cartoony feel to it, and all the animations are super-smooth. All the characters are extremely cute (yes, even the baddies), and the developers obviously considered things others would not even dream of, the eyes on the trees being an example (they serve no purpose, they're just... there.)
The levels are pretty simple as platform games' design goes, all you need to do is keep Superfrog alive throughout the various pitfalls of the areas while drinking Lucozade to keep your power up and collecting enough Coins to open the exit. That's very simplistic, I have to admit, but it is Superfrog's lack of complexity that help it to keep moving along quite nicely. The levels aren't all linear, either; every one of them has at least one secret area to discover and many hidden goodies to pick up. The more points you get declare how many tries you get at the end-of-level gambling machine bonus - yet another unnecessary feature that is there for the sake of completion - or get kids addicted to gambling. Well, maybe not that.
Sure, the first few levels are relatively easy, but as you progress through the Worlds of the game (theoretically getting closer and closer to the Witch's lair every time), the difficulty gradient gets steeper and steeper. From the Forest, Superfrog visits the Castle, the Circus, Ancient Egypt, the Ice Caverns, and the Interstellar Base. Each of these locations is rich in variety and new challenges to explore, from the "ACME Big Sucking Things" in World 3 to the shifting platforms in World 4 to the hidden level, Project-F, in which Superfrog dons a spacesuit and blasts his way through extremely cute aliens!
Every area also introduces its own unique characters, from the elusive Bobcat in World 1 to World 2's hulking Colin the Troll... every character in the game is a memorable face. You will remember this game forever.
Superfrog is amazing to look at, but to play through it is wondrous. Superfrog's movement is smooth and completely flawless to a tee. His acrobatic, froglike jumps are just perfect for the character, he runs at a perfect speed, and can even collect power-ups like the Frog Wings, which help him to fly, albeit for a limited amount of time - once you've mastered the Wings, though, you will feel like a real pro.
Easily the best move, however, is Superfrog's firing move, whereby he hurls his sidekick, Spud (easily everyone's favourite character), at his enemies. Sure, Spud has very little effect on most of the Magic Kingdom's denizens, but it's just the move, accompanied with Superfrog's ribbit, that makes the move. That, and the fact that if you run away after hurling Spud, he runs after Superfrog until he catches up.
From the first moment you jump a spike-filled pit until the last time you throw Spud at the ugly old Witch, every gaming cell in your body will scream for more. You just can't stop playing this. That is a fact.
However, Superfrog's crowning glory has to be its music, lovingly composed by Allister Brimble - and it's the best stuff Brimble has ever made. You can't deny that. There are nine different musical scores (Superfrog, Woods, Castle, Circus, Egypt, Caverns, Project-F, Space, Gambling), and they are all fantastic - every one suiting the situation it's placed into. The scores that particularly stand out are the Egyptian one, which starts with something akin to wooden flutes, and progresses with impressive percussive effects, and the Ice Caverns' music, which just sounds... well... icey. Even Project-F's music is memorable, as a cheeky tip of the hat to the music of Project-X, Team17's Space Flight game of the same era.
I have heard many Video Game scores, and some really good ones at that, but none as sublime as Superfrog's - find a better video game score, and I'll eat my Superfrog plush toy.
To sum up (finally!), Superfrog is a fantastic 2D Platformer, with addictive gameplay, stunning graphics, and truly amazing music. Not one to be missed, truly. If you haven't played this, you need to do so. True, there are some amazing platformers out there, there's Super Mario Bros., Sonic, there's even Giana Sisters. But in terms of Amiga gaming, Superfrog is up there with the best, and in my opinion, the finest, 2D Platformer, ever created. Forget Worms, this is the Team17 game you should play, if you want to know what quality gaming is.
Here's my Superfrog fan-site. Don't worry, you can breathe out now. I've finished.
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Great graphics for its time, Superfrog scrolls extremely smoothly, the characters are wondrously designed by Rico Holmes, and the animated backgrounds are inspired. Extra points for Eric W. Schwartz' silly introductory animation, too.
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I have never, ever, ever heard any better musical scores for any game ever created. Even Zelda doesn't come close. And the sound effects aren't bad, either.
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Extremely playable, very addictive, difficult to the right degree, and enough variety to keep you playing for a very long time. Extremely high in fun factor, too - which is what a game should be all about - they're games. That means fun, right? Right. It's fun.
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| This is one quality platformer. An absolute joy from start to finish, and an essential game for any Amiga fan's library. If you haven't played it, do so now. You will love it. I promise. |
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