Voodoo Vince

Voodoo magic for the Xbox, or more of a pin-cushion? The verdict.

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For a first effort on the console front, I think it is widely accepted that the Xbox is generally speaking a pretty good effort from Microsoft. The software line-up is getting there, too, even if the Playstation 2 is still streets ahead. What the Xbox lacks however is a killer platformer, a representative of this stalwart genre that will prove a hit with all and sundry, becoming synonymous with a successful platform a la Mario. Certainly, Microsoft have been trying to succeed in this front, offering us the interesting but imperfect Blinx last year, and also Sega's Toejam and Earl more recently. Neither succeeded, and whether you attribute this to the failings of their developer or the tastes of most Xbox purchasers is open to debate - but what isn't is Microsoft's determination to succeed in this genre. Voodoo Vince is this new hope for Christmas, and I must say I was more than a little impressed by this quirky and somewhat-original platformer from developer Beep Industries.

What's the same then? Well, the games level design and general objectives conform to the most traditional of platformer ethics - presenting the player with a bizarre and colourful world, filled with objects to collect and obstacles to overcome, whilst all the while beating-up a variety of dumb and (occasionally) not-so-dumb foes in which all levels are festooned. What's different? Well, for a start there's the obscure but amusing plot which will at least captivate you to begin with, as will the inspired settings. Then there's the visually stunning graphics and Disney-worthy animation. Finally, there's the lead-character Vince himself; and his somewhat unusual manner of dispatching his enemies.

In case you hadn't realised already, Vince is a Voodoo Doll. Do you see where I'm heading?

Vince can of course fight the games range of imaginative and somewhat disturbing baddies in a traditional kicking-spinning-punching fashion, but can also dispatch them en masse, or more simply, using a range of collectible voodoo powers. These powers enable Vince to perform all manner of hilarious abuses on his person, abuses which in true voodoo style will also be dealt out to his enemies. This is a lot of fun, and lies at the heart of progress through the game, as the variety of sterner obstacles and end-of-chapter bosses can only be dealt with using something a little meatier than Vince's soft and fragile frame.

One favourite moment of mine came fairly early-on in the game (the conclusion of the first or second chapter I believe), in which Vince is ushered into a New Orleans' (the inspiration for much of games style) natural history museum - to be presented with a Jurassic Park-esque T-Rex skeleton which promptly springs to life (that voodoo magic, again), and begins chasing our wise-cracking hero around a hellish vision of the museum's interior. Naturally, Vince must avoid the gnashing teeth and swinging tail of this beast at all costs, whilst attempting to pull a number of levers which will eventually enable Vince to electrocute himself and destroy the dinosaur. A classic and highly satisfying conclusion, albeit one that may necessitate a degree of trial-and-error before being achievable.