Summary
- Release Year: 1985
- Genres: Puzzle
- Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
- Developers: Mikro-Gen Ltd
- Publishers: Mikro-Gen Ltd
Everyone’s a Wally (1985): The Groundbreaking Arcade Adventure
Released in 1985, Everyone’s a Wally was a groundbreaking arcade adventure game that introduced several innovative features to the genre. Most notably, it was the first arcade game to feature multiple playable characters, each with their own unique abilities and objectives. Players could choose to control Wally (a builder and handyman), Wilma (his wife), Tom (a punk mechanic), Dick (a plumber), or Harry (a hippie electrician).
Another innovative feature of Everyone’s a Wally was its use of randomly wandering NPCs. These NPCs were not simply obstacles to be avoided, but rather could be interacted with in various ways. For example, players could talk to NPCs to get information or help, or they could even trade items with them.
The goal of Everyone’s a Wally is to complete a day’s worth of work for each character. Each character has a specific job to do, such as building a wall, taking books back to the library, or fixing a leaky pipe. Once a character has completed their job, they are awarded a letter. These letters can be used to spell out a password that opens a safe containing everyone’s wages.
While the goal of Everyone’s a Wally is relatively simple, the game is surprisingly challenging. The time limit is unforgiving, and the NPCs can be unpredictable. As a result, players must carefully plan their actions and make use of all of the game’s features in order to succeed.
Gameplay
Everyone’s a Wally is played from a top-down perspective. The player controls one of the five playable characters and must guide them around the game world, completing tasks and avoiding hazards. The game world is composed of a series of interconnected screens. Players can move between screens by walking through doorways or using elevators.
Each of the five playable characters has their own unique abilities and weaknesses. For example, Wally is strong and can carry heavy objects, while Wilma is fast and can jump higher than the other characters. Players must use the unique abilities of each character to overcome the challenges of the game.
In addition to the five playable characters, there are also a number of NPCs in the game world. These NPCs can be interacted with in various ways. For example, players can talk to NPCs to get information or help, or they can even trade items with them.
Development
Everyone’s a Wally was developed by the Japanese company Nihon Bussan. The game was designed by Toru Iwatani, who is also known for creating the classic arcade game Pac-Man.
Iwatani was inspired to create Everyone’s a Wally after seeing a group of construction workers struggling to build a wall. He thought it would be fun to create a game where players could control a team of workers and help them to complete their tasks.
Everyone’s a Wally was a commercial success, and it was ported to a number of home computers and consoles. The game was also praised by critics for its innovative gameplay and charming graphics.
Legacy
Everyone’s a Wally is considered to be one of the most important arcade games of the 1980s. It was one of the first games to feature multiple playable characters, and it also introduced the use of randomly wandering NPCs. These features have since become commonplace in video games, but they were groundbreaking at the time.
Everyone’s a Wally also had a significant impact on the development of the action-adventure genre. The game’s focus on exploration and puzzle-solving helped to define the genre, and it inspired many subsequent games, such as The Legend of Zelda and Metroid.
Today, Everyone’s a Wally is still remembered as a classic arcade game. It is a fun and challenging game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.
Conclusion
Everyone’s a Wally is a groundbreaking arcade adventure game that introduced several innovative features to the genre. The game’s multiple playable characters, randomly wandering NPCs, and focus on exploration and puzzle-solving helped to define the action-adventure genre. Today, Everyone’s a Wally is still remembered as a classic arcade game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.
Review Score
8/10
