Summary
- Release Year: 1992
- Genres: Platform, Shooter
- Platforms: Amiga
- Publishers: Core Design
Doodlebug: A Bug’s Life
Released in 1992, Doodlebug is a Pac-Man-style maze game with a unique twist: turnstiles. As the doodlebug, you must eat all the daisies in the maze while avoiding the other insects that will eat you. You can also collect hearts and letters, and if you collect all the right letters, you’ll get lots of bonus points or even be taken to a special bonus screen.
The maze is made up of lots of turnstiles, which you can use to block the paths of any insects that might be chasing you. This adds a strategic element to the game, as you must carefully plan your movements to avoid being cornered.
The graphics and sound in Doodlebug are both pretty mediocre, but the gameplay is surprisingly addictive. The game is challenging, but it’s also fair, and there’s a real sense of satisfaction to be gained from completing each level.
Gameplay
Doodlebug is played from a top-down perspective. The player controls the doodlebug, a small, round creature, through a maze filled with daisies and other insects. The goal of the game is to eat all the daisies in the maze while avoiding the other insects.
The doodlebug can move in any direction, and it can also use the turnstiles to block the paths of other insects. The other insects are constantly moving around the maze, and they will try to eat the doodlebug if they come into contact with it.
The doodlebug can also collect hearts and letters. Collecting hearts will give the doodlebug extra lives, and collecting letters will spell out words. If the doodlebug collects all the letters in a word, it will get a bonus.
Levels
Doodlebug has a total of 100 levels. The first few levels are relatively easy, but the difficulty increases as the game progresses. The later levels are very challenging, and they will require the player to use all of their skills to complete them.
Enemies
There are a variety of different insects that the doodlebug must avoid in the maze. These insects include:
- Spiders: Spiders are the most common enemy in the game. They are relatively slow, but they can jump over turnstiles.
- Scorpions: Scorpions are faster than spiders, and they can also shoot projectiles.
- Centipedes: Centipedes are the fastest enemies in the game. They can also move through walls.
- Ants: Ants are small and agile, and they can swarm the doodlebug if they get too close.
Power-Ups
There are a variety of power-ups that the doodlebug can collect in the maze. These power-ups include:
- Hearts: Hearts give the doodlebug extra lives.
- Speed: Speed power-ups make the doodlebug move faster.
- Invincibility: Invincibility power-ups make the doodlebug invincible for a short period of time.
- Bonus points: Bonus point power-ups give the doodlebug extra points.
Bonus Screens
There are two bonus screens in Doodlebug. The first bonus screen is a maze filled with daisies and hearts. The second bonus screen is a shooting gallery where the doodlebug can shoot insects for points.
Conclusion
Doodlebug is a challenging but addictive Pac-Man-style game with a unique twist. The game’s simple graphics and sound are more than made up for by its addictive gameplay. If you’re a fan of Pac-Man or other maze games, then you’ll definitely want to check out Doodlebug.
Tips for Playing Doodlebug
Here are a few tips for playing Doodlebug:
- Use the turnstiles to your advantage. You can use the turnstiles to block the paths of other insects, or you can use them to create safe zones for yourself.
- Collect hearts and letters. Collecting hearts will give you extra lives, and collecting letters will spell out words that will give you bonuses.
- Be careful of the insects. The insects in Doodlebug are constantly moving around the maze, and they will try to eat you if they come into contact with you.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to play Doodlebug, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different strategies.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
