Summary
- Platforms: BBC Microcomputer System
Neanderthal Man: A Stone Age Odyssey
Released in 1991, Neanderthal Man is a side-scrolling platformer that takes you back to the Stone Age. You play as Tak, a caveman who must hunt for food, build fires, and battle dinosaurs in order to survive.
The game is set in a lush and dangerous world, with beautiful pixel art graphics and a catchy soundtrack. Tak can run, jump, climb, and swim, and he can use a variety of weapons and tools to defend himself.
Neanderthal Man was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered one of the best platformers of its era. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and catchy soundtrack.
Gameplay
Neanderthal Man is a side-scrolling platformer with a focus on exploration and survival. Tak must travel through a variety of environments, including forests, caves, and swamps, in order to find food and shelter. He must also battle a variety of enemies, including dinosaurs, saber-toothed tigers, and cave bears.
Tak can use a variety of weapons and tools to defend himself, including spears, clubs, and axes. He can also build fires to cook food and keep warm, and he can craft new items from the resources he finds in the environment.
Neanderthal Man features a variety of puzzles and challenges that Tak must overcome in order to progress. He must find hidden paths, solve puzzles, and defeat powerful bosses.
Setting
Neanderthal Man is set in a lush and dangerous world, inspired by the Stone Age. The game features a variety of environments, including forests, caves, swamps, and mountains. Each environment is filled with its own unique challenges and dangers.
The game’s world is also home to a variety of animals, both friendly and hostile. Tak must learn to coexist with these animals in order to survive.
Characters
Tak is the protagonist of Neanderthal Man. He is a skilled hunter and warrior, and he is determined to survive in the harsh Stone Age world.
Tak is joined on his journey by a variety of other characters, including his mate, Ayla, and his shaman, Ugg. These characters provide Tak with support and guidance as he faces the challenges of the Stone Age.
Development
Neanderthal Man was developed by Software Creations and published by Psygnosis. The game was originally released for the Amiga and Atari ST, and it was later ported to a variety of other platforms, including the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, and PC.
The game’s development team was led by Mike Montgomery, who had previously worked on the classic platformer game Rick Dangerous. Montgomery wanted to create a game that was both fun and educational, and he believed that the Stone Age setting would provide a unique and interesting backdrop for a platformer.
Reception
Neanderthal Man was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and catchy soundtrack. It was also praised for its educational value, as it taught players about the Stone Age and the life of Neanderthal man.
Neanderthal Man was one of the best-selling games of 1991, and it is still considered one of the best platformers of its era. The game has been praised by critics and players alike for its fun and challenging gameplay, its beautiful graphics, and its catchy soundtrack.
Legacy
Neanderthal Man has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The game’s innovative gameplay and beautiful graphics helped to set a new standard for platformers. The game also helped to popularize the Stone Age setting in video games.
Neanderthal Man has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it is still available for purchase on digital storefronts. The game has also been included in a number of retro game compilations.
Neanderthal Man is a classic platformer that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and catchy soundtrack make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
7.5/10
