Bells: The

Copyright : Blaby Computer Games | Reviewed by : Ritchardo

Quasimodo and Esmerelda were very much in love until an evil archbishop decided that Esmerelda was much too beautiful for the ugly hunch-back. So he took Esmerelda and imprisoned her in his highest tower so that she could not see poor Hunchy. Now Quasimodo has set out to rescue Esmerelda. Can Hunchy overcome so many hazards? Only you can decide his fate!

From the above blurb it should be obvious to most readers that ‘The BellsÂ' is yet another in a long line of Hunchback clones. The mid-80s trend for Hunchback clones is particularly baffling when you consider that the original just wasnÂ't even that goodÂ…

Still, for what itÂ's worth ‘The BellsÂ' is an almost lock stock and barrel copy of the original at least in terms of the scenario. It does differ in two very important aspects: the difficulty level and the presentation.

‘The BellsÂ' doesnÂ't look like much on first impression despite the good use of colours. And in this case, the first impression is an accurate one. Quasimodo looks like heÂ's wearing a rucksack rather than having human deformities and appears to have the same body dimensions as his beloved and supposedly beautiful EsmereldaÂ… In itÂ's slight (very slight) defence, the game does at least acknowledge QuasiÂ's handicap in his movements thanks to the sluggish, two frame animation of the main character as he shuffles his way across screen, avoiding the dis-proportionately sized hazards. The gaps down which your character will regularly plummet appear absolutely tiny, this is further reinforced when you reach screen five and your first encounter with the gigantic guards who stand in them and clearly dwarf your own character. This leaves an absolutely tiny area for you to jump over safely and an almost negligible margin for error.

This brings us rather neatly on to the second factor that separates ‘The BellsÂ' from ‘HunchbackÂ' and other clones such as ‘PunchyÂ'. The difficulty level is absurdly high. From even the first screen, it becomes apparent that split second timing and pixel perfect positioning are a necessity. On a well programmed game this is not a detriment and offers a sustainable challenge, however, on a game as turgid and sloppily coded as ‘The BellsÂ' itÂ's a nightmare. Far too often youÂ'll find your character replaced with the word Aaaargh! as you are hit by an object/person or plunge to your doom (or more accurately the letters Aaaarrgh plunge to their doom, you donÂ't actually get to see Hunchy fallÂ…). Just to add insult to injury, there is a time limit on each screen. Failure to make it to the other side in time will see Quasimodo struck with lightning; this makes an already difficult task just that little bit harder in a game that really doesnÂ't need it!

On the positive sideÂ… actually, no. There is no positive side. ItÂ's all rotten. The rubbish bell sound effects when you reach the end of the screen, the noise to indicate youÂ've diedÂ… none of it is any good.

A rip-off of a game as old as the hills, ‘The BellsÂ' adds nothing new to the mix and is pointless waste of time and effort. Avoid.