Around the World in 80 Days for Game Boy Advance attempts to capture the excitement and adventure of the classic Jules Verne novel, but falls short in several key areas. As a seasoned retro gaming enthusiast, I appreciate the nostalgic feel of this game, but it is important to offer a balanced critique of its shortcomings.
One of the first things that struck me about this game is the lack of publisher information. It is always helpful to know who stands behind a game and what their track record is, but unfortunately, this information seems to be absent. However, I am familiar with the developer, Saffire, who has had mixed success in the past.
The premise of the game, based on the famous bet to travel around the world in 80 days, offers great potential for an exciting and varied gameplay experience. And while there are moments that capture the spirit of the adventure, the execution leaves much to be desired. The controls feel clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to navigate through the various challenges and obstacles.
The graphics, while not particularly impressive, do evoke a nostalgic charm reminiscent of classic games from the past. The pixelated sprites and simple backgrounds harken back to a time when game visuals were not as advanced, but were effective in their own right. For retro gaming enthusiasts, this may be a point of appreciation.
One area that truly disappointed me was the lack of depth in the gameplay. Around the World in 80 Days is a repetitive and monotonous experience, with little variety in the tasks and challenges presented to the player. The game quickly becomes a tiresome slog, lacking the excitement and sense of progression that should accompany an adventure of this nature.
In terms of audio, the game is serviceable but unremarkable. The music and sound effects are forgettable, failing to add any significant atmosphere to the gameplay. However, this is a common characteristic of many vintage games, so it may appeal to those seeking an authentic retro experience.
Overall, I must give Around the World in 80 Days for Game Boy Advance a rating of 3.5/10. While it does capture some elements of nostalgia and offers a charming visual style, the clunky controls, repetitive gameplay, and lack of depth ultimately hinder its potential. For die-hard retro gaming enthusiasts or fans of the original novel, it may hold some appeal, but for most players, it fails to deliver a captivating and enjoyable experience.