Back To The Future : Part 3

Copyright : Image Works | Reviewed by : Patrick Furlong

Imageworks gained the licence for this at the same time as BTTF2 - both films were being shot back-to-back. This time, Marty (Michael J Fox) goes back to 1885 where Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) got sent by accident at the end of the last film. When recovering the Delorean, Marty and the 1955 Doc find the 1985?s Doc?s grave giving a date of death only days after he wrote a letter. Therefore, Marty decides to go back to 1885 in order to bring the Doc home. So the game is set entirly in the old west and like the BTTF2 game, there are a few different game styles. Level 1 sees you as Doc. While investigating a way to get the Delorean upto 88mph to get back to 1985, he and Marty see Clara Clayton on her way to the edge of a ravine and Doc gets on his horse and chases her. Level 2 sees Marty at the Hill Valley fesival trying out his shooting skills on an early version of an arcade game using a real gun with live ammo. Level 3 sees Buford Tannen and his gang come to the festival to cause trouble and shoot Doc. Marty gets his hand on frisbe trays and uses them to deal with them so they can be arrested. Level 4 sees you ?borrowing? a train to push the Delorean to 88mph to get home. However, there are train guards to avoid, obstacles and logs which will speed it all up. I can tell you here that this is an improvement on both games based on the first two films.

Graphics

MODE 0 is used throughout. The characters are slightly blocky but it all plays well. On either end of each level is digitized pictures from the film and they are slightly reconisable. These are also MODE 0 and are blocky, but they are good though. The speed is very good. In all, better graphics than BTTF2.

Sound

A nice but short title track. There are in-game tunes, but I didn?t like these much. No sound effects though.

Gameplay

Easy to get into, but everything upto the end of level 1 is a crippiling multi-load on tape. Levels 2 - 4 are loaded seperatly though, but that?s alright. Level 1 is divided into 5/6 sub levels, every other level being an overhead view - each bit is loaded in seperatly and if you lose on a sub level, you have to reload the beginning of the level. Level 2 is an Operation Wolf type of level and it plays well. Level 3 is like the first Batman game although in MODE 0 and you have to pick up dishes and get the right diagonal angle to throw it to deal with the crooks. Level 4 is like a platform game with loading and dish throwing. This is the trickest level of the whole game and can take a long time before you complete it. Every time you fall off the train, you use the hoverboard to get back on. This game is very good and shows what can be done with a licence if done properly.