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Lion King review

Game: Lion King
Platform: SNES
Genre: Action (Platformer)
Developer: Westwood Studios
AKA: The Lion King (EU), The Lion King (JP)

Reader review by ratking

May 09, 2003

Lion King is a movie that was a boy office smash hit. Developed by Disney, adults and childrens sat on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what would happen next. So sure enough, Disney was not stupid and they developed a videogame based on the movie. However, unlike many videogames based of movies, this one is actually really good. The gameplay is as expected, but you will hang off ledges, avoid a stampede, and make your way to Scar. All which will lead to one wonderful experience.

STORY (5/5): I can't really make this category to crucial, because the games storyline is identical to that of the movie. It's the same storyline, and given in small segments at the end of a level. Nothing that thrilling, but it was present at it gives a little stronger feel to the game.

GRAPHICS (13/15): Lion King looks exactly as you'd imagine. Bright and colorful, with background straight from the movie. Whether it be the jungle in the very first level, or pride rock in the final battle verse Scar it looks fairly accurate from the movie. Simba, young and old, looks not as real as the movie, but this is only a 32 bit videogame and it does its job well. I was impressed by this backgrounds, and it times it's like you are part of the actual movie developing.

SOUND (8/10): You would expect Disney to put all of their best efforts into creating a great musical experience. Lion King is no exceptoin, where music directly from the movie is inserted into the already strong sound effects in the Lion King. Simba will hang from ledges, as you hear the hyena laughes, and you here the smish as you jump on the iguanas. There is also a button to roar, although its purpose is unknown.

GAMEPLAY (46/55): Lion King is like most videogames based on television or the big screen. Using the main character Simba, you will jump through a collection of ten or so levels trying to reach the end and the final battle from the movie. At the beggining of the game you are young Simba. You jump into trees and the jungles, jumping on flies and other little bugs. After a bit you will reach the next level, which is based on the same skills but in a new area, and new villains await (like the elephant graveyard). The game is just not that simple though. You will be forced to run away from Hyenas and avoid a rapid stampede. Finally you will grow up, and will be adult Simba who has his claws at his advantage. This gives a whole new feeling, caues now instead of being a hyperactive child, you are a powerful adult. It is time to face the infrequent boss battle in Lion King, which is entertaining and requires a bit of skill. The whole game is familiar each level, and yet different. The feel is unique, and yet the same to many other games. It is definitely enjoyable.

REPLAYABILITY (7/10): When I was younger I played this game constantly. Whenever I went to my cousins, I would grab their SNES immediately and pop it in. I loved being able to run and jump around with Simba as you worked your way through the forest, avoiding a stampede of antelope and what not. The game is fun each time you play it, althought for older gamers it may get old running through the same early levels over and over.

DIFFICULTY (5/5): This game will annoy the younger gamers at first, because it is difficult but soon enough they will pick it up and then it is just addictive fun. You will be able to work your way through each level, although each time you may have to try a few times to get the new idea down and figure out your overall goal. For the older gamers it may only take a day or so to work your way throughout the entire game, but at times the game will be even difficult to them, albeit beatable.

OVERALL (84/100): As a child I loved the movie, The Lion King, and I also lost the game. Not many videogames based on movies/television were entertaining at the time, and Lion King was one of the strongest in that sense. The game is original and entertaining, and a young child will never be able to put it down until he defeats Scar, and maybe even not then. Trust me, this is one game you will enjoy playing and is worth the purchase for any child.

Rating: 8.4/10

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