Pac-In-Time | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Atreid Concept [lower-alpha 1] |
Publisher(s) | |
Composer(s) | Frédéric Motte |
Series | Pac-Man |
Platform(s) | Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Game Boy, MS-DOS, Mac OS |
Release | SNES, Game Boy
|
Genre(s) | Platform |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Pac-In-Time [lower-alpha 2] is a platform game developed by Atreid Concept featuring the arcade character Pac-Man. It was released in 1995 for MS-DOS, Macintosh, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Game Boy.
This game was an offshoot from the normal variety of Pac-Man games, in that it does not confine Pac-Man to a maze-like board. Rather, the player controls Pac-Man through various side-scrolling levels, obtaining many different items along the way; the plot does take elements from the earlier Pac-Man games, such as the objective to collect a certain number of pellets before exiting a level. The game allows the player to access completed levels via passwords that are given every five levels.
The game is a rebranded version of a 1993 game, Fury of the Furries , also developed by Kalisto. The PC, Macintosh and Game Boy versions are almost identical to the original, while the Super NES game, despite using the same basic gameplay mechanics, is an entirely new game using a different game engine and aesthetic.
In Pac-In-Time, players control Pac-Man in his mission to return to the present day after his nemesis, the Ghost Witch, cast a spell that transported him to his youth in 1975, five years before his debut appearance. [1] The game spans the course of five different worlds with 10 levels each. [1] Levels are designed around solving puzzles and backtracking to previous sections, taking place in environments such as mountains, villages, and castles. [1] The objective of each level is to collect all of the pellets, or "Pac-Dots", found throughout to open up an exit door. [1] Each level contains around 30 Pac-Dots each, with a counter displayed at the bottom-left of the screen that indicates how many remain. [1] Enemies and obstacles are found throughout that will cause Pac-Man to lose a portion of his life-bar when touched. [1] The Ghosts also appear and will give chase to Pac-Man; he can defeat them by eating a Power Pellet, which will cause them to turn blue and edible. [1] [2]
Pac-Man can collect four different items to aid him in his quest, each having different effects when used. [1] These items can be found by jumping through colored hoops in levels; Pac-Man can hold all four of them at once, but can only use one at a time. [1] Jumping through the hoop a second time will remove the item from the player's inventory. [1] These items are the rope, which can latch onto ceilings and can allow Pac-Man to swing himself to higher places, and can also be used to push objects; the fireball, which allows Pac-Man to spit deadly fireballs at enemies; the hammer, which allows Pac-Man to smash objects; and the swim shoes, which grant Pac-Man the ability to swim underwater. [1] Pac-Man can also replenish his health by eating fruit found throughout levels, and can also find items such as 1-ups in treasure chests, which can be opened by finding a key. [1] In the final level, Pac-Man will face off against the Ghost Witch, and defeating her will allow him to be sent back to the present. [1]
Pac-In-Time was designed by Atreid Concept, a French video game studio headed by business entrepreneur Nicolas Gaume. Assisting production was Namco Hometek, the North American console game division of Japanese company Namco. [3] Namco Hometek also served as the publisher for the game. Pac-In-Time is a reskin and rebranding of Atreid's older game Fury of the Furries , a puzzle platformer originally released for Amiga, Macintosh and MS-DOS in 1994. [4] Namco licensed the game's engine from Mindscape, the parent company of Atreid Concept. [4] Namco, who had attempted to get a foothold into the European game market on multiple occasions, decided to make the game a Pac-Man platformer due to the character's worldwide appeal. [5]
Pac-In-Time was developed for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Game Boy, Mac OS, and MS-DOS. While the Game Boy and computer versions are simply Fury of the Furries with a Pac-Man skin, the SNES version is an entirely new game with altered levels and themes, while still keeping the same mechanics and concepts intact. The Japanese Super Famicom version was changed to be harder than its international counterparts, adding instant-death traps and generally making levels more difficult and challenging. [5] Pac-In-Time is billed as a follow-up to Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures , which was released earlier in 1994. [6]
Pac-In-Time was first released on January 3, 1995 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy. [7] The Macintosh and MS-DOS versions were published a month later. The magazine Sega Visions announced a Sega Genesis version of the game slated for an October 1995 release, however this version was never published. [8] A Game Gear version was also cancelled, designed by Gil Espeche; [4] this version has since been dumped online by the video game preservation group SMS Power in 2005. [4]
An emulated version of the Japanese Super Famicom version is included in the compilation title Pac-Man Museum+ . Though the game is emulated, the game is modified to alter the graphics of Pac-Man's family in the introductory and epilogue cutscenes, with Ms. Pac-Man, Baby Pac-Man and Jr. Pac-Man being replaced with the Pac-Mom, Pac-Sis and Pac-Boy characters created for the collection. While not officially stated why the changes were made, news outlets have assumed the changes to be tied with Ms. Pac-Man's ongoing legal dispute with AtGames. [9]
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Electronic Gaming Monthly | 7.75/10 [3] |
Famitsu | 24/40 [7] |
GamePro | 4.5/5 [10] |
Next Generation | [11] |
Total! Germany | 3/6 [12] |
VideoGames | 8/10 [13] |
Pac-In-Time was met with a generally favorable reception from publications, and is seen as a unique and innovative title in the Pac-Man series. GamePro magazine commented that it helps represent the character's legacy, and that it was an interesting take on the franchise. [10] The Super Famicom version sold 21,265 copies in its first week on the market. [14]
The game's visuals and presentation were praised by several. Electronic Gaming Monthly liked Pac-Man's cute design and for the game itself having a distinctly-cute style, while also praising the graphics themselves for being bright and colorful, which GamePro agreed with. [10] Reviewing the Game Boy version, Famitsu and Total! Germany said that the graphics had a very cartoony look, but were average for the system. [7] [12] Critics also praised the game's controls and items; [3] [11] GamePro in particular said that together they "breathed new life into a classic character." [10] GamePro and VideoGames both enjoyed the rope item for being fun to use. [10] [13] Electronic Gaming Monthly liked the music but said it became repetitive after a while. [3]
The gameplay was well-received, particularly for its usage of puzzle-solving. GamePro described it as a "fun, fast-paced adventure". [10] Electronic Gaming Monthly said that it "has the makings of a great game" through its pick-up-and-play approach and for the game being generally fun to play. [3] Next Generation and VideoGames agreed, both of whom enjoyed the level design for its usage of puzzle-solving. [11] [13] Famitsu liked the gameplay for being entertaining and the stages for being wide-open and fun to explore, although said that the puzzle-solving can become repetitive after a while. [7] By contrast, Next Generation felt that the level design became repetitive and lack in variety between them, which they stated was the game's only weakness. [11] Most critics felt that the game became too difficult later on, [11] [7] [10] with Electronic Gaming Monthly in particular disliking the learning curve for being overly-high. [3] Total! Germany praised the Game Boy version for its creativity and design, but claimed that its difficulty would put off younger players and only recommended the game towards more dedicated platform fans. [12] Video Games magazine said that Pac-In-Time was a significant step-up in quality compared to the series' previous platform outings, writing: "Pac-Man fans will dig the characters and the familiar theme music at the opening of each stage, but Pac-In-Time really has little to do with the maze game that launched a thousand maze games. However, unlike Pac-Land - a previous attempt to blend the Pac-Man universe with a platform-game scenario - this one is a pleasantly addictive romp that knows just how to tease players into coming back for more." [13]
Pac-Man, originally called Puck Man in Japan, is a 1980 maze video game developed and released by Namco for arcades. In North America, the game was released by Midway Manufacturing as part of its licensing agreement with Namco America. The player controls Pac-Man, who must eat all the dots inside an enclosed maze while avoiding four colored ghosts. Eating large flashing dots called "Power Pellets" causes the ghosts to temporarily turn blue, allowing Pac-Man to eat them for bonus points.
Ms. Pac-Man is a 1982 maze arcade video game developed by General Computer Corporation and published by Midway. It is a spin-off sequel to Pac-Man (1980) and the first entry in the series to not be made by Namco. Controlling the title character, Pac-Man's wife, the player is tasked with eating all of the pellets in an enclosed maze while avoiding four colored ghosts. Eating the larger "power pellets" lets the player eat the ghosts, who turn blue and flee.
Rampart is a 1990 video game released by Atari Games and Midway Games that combines the shoot 'em up, strategy, and puzzle genres. It debuted as an arcade game with trackball controls, and was ported to home systems. It had a limited US release in October 1990, and a wide release in early 1991. It was distributed in Japan by Namco.
Galaga is a 1981 fixed shooter arcade video game developed and published by Namco. In North America, it was released by Midway Manufacturing. It is the sequel to Galaxian (1979), Namco's first major video game hit in arcades. Controlling a starship, the player is tasked with destroying the Galaga forces in each stage while avoiding enemies and projectiles. Some enemies can capture a player's ship via a tractor beam, which can be rescued to transform the player into a "dual fighter" with additional firepower.
Dig Dug is a maze arcade video game released by Namco in 1982. It was distributed in North America by Atari, Inc. The player digs underground tunnels to attack enemies in each level, by either inflating them to bursting or crushing them underneath rocks.
In video game parlance, a multicart is a cartridge that contains more than one game. Typically, the separate games are available individually for purchase or were previously available individually. For this reason, collections, anthologies, and compilations are considered multicarts. The desirability of the multicart to consumers is that it provides better value, greater convenience, and more portability than the separate games would provide. The advantage to developers is that it allows two or more smaller games to be sold together for the price of one larger game, and provides an opportunity to repackage and sell older games one more time, often with little or no changes.
Pac-Land is a 1984 side-scrolling arcade platform game developed and released by Namco. It was distributed in North America by Bally Midway, and in Europe by Atari Games. Controlling Pac-Man, the player must make it to the end of each stage to return a lost fairy back to its home in Fairyland. Pac-Man will need to avoid obstacles, such as falling logs and water-spewing fire hydrants, alongside his enemies, the Ghost Gang. Eating large flashing Power Pellets will cause the ghosts to turn blue, allowing Pac-Man to eat them for points.
Super Pac-Man is a 1982 maze chase arcade game developed and published by Namco. It was distributed in North America by Midway, and is Namco's take on a sequel to the original Pac-Man; Midway had previously released Ms. Pac-Man, which Namco had little involvement with. Toru Iwatani returns as designer.
Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures, known in Japan as Hello! Pac-Man, is a 1994 side-scrolling point-and-click adventure game in the Pac-Man series developed and published by Namco. Instead of being a maze game like the majority of its predecessors, Pac-Man 2 incorporates light point-and-click adventure game elements. The game borrows its structure and certain elements from Pac-Land, and also appears to contain certain elements from the animated series, such as Pac-Man's family and a main villain commanding the ghosts.
Pac-Attack, also known as Pac-Panic, is a 1993 falling-tile puzzle video game developed and published by Namco for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis. Versions for the Game Boy, Game Gear and Philips CD-i were also released. The player is tasked with clearing out blocks and ghosts without them stacking to the top of the playfield — blocks can be cleared by matching them in horizontal rows, while ghosts can be cleared by placing down a Pac-Man piece that can eat them. It is the first game in the Pac-Man series to be released exclusively for home platforms.
The Tower of Druaga is a 1984 arcade action role-playing maze game developed and published in Japan by Namco. Controlling the golden-armored knight Gilgamesh, the player is tasked with scaling 60 floors of the titular tower in an effort to rescue the maiden Ki from Druaga, a demon with eight arms and four legs, who plans to use an artifact known as the Blue Crystal Rod to enslave all of mankind. It ran on the Namco Super Pac-Man arcade hardware, modified with a horizontal-scrolling video system used in Mappy.
Namco Museum is a series of video game compilations developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for home video game consoles. The first title in the series, Namco Museum Vol. 1, was released for the PlayStation in 1995. Entries in the series have been released for multiple platforms, including the Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS and Xbox 360. the latest being Namco Museum Archives Vol. 2, released in 2020.
Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness is a maze chase video game developed and published by Namco for the PlayStation in 2000. It was later released for the Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance. A remake of Ms. Pac-Man (1982), players control the titular character in her quest to stop a witch named Mesmerelda from stealing the Gems of Virtue. The game was well-received upon release, with critics applauding its simplicity and faithfulness to the arcade original. A sequel was in development around 2006, but was cancelled for unknown reasons.
Libble Rabble is a 1983 puzzle arcade video game developed and published in Japan by Namco. The player is tasked with using two colored arrows, Libble and Rabble, to wrap them around pegs and surround small creatures known as Mushlins to "harvest" them under a time limit. The player can also uncover treasure chests that will have the player searching the stage for items in order to access a special bonus stage. It ran on the Namco Libble Rabble hardware, one of the only games to do so.
Cosmo Gang the Video is a 1992 fixed shooter arcade game developed and published by Namco. A home conversion for the Super Famicom was released the same year. Controlling the Hyper Beat starship, the player is tasked with ridding the galaxy of the Cosmo Gang, a race of aliens that cause mischief across Earth. Gameplay involves shooting enemies and avoiding projectiles. Power-up items can be collected to grant the player additional abilities. It ran on the Namco System 2 arcade board.
Fury of the Furries is a puzzle-platform game developed by Atreid Concept and published by Mindscape for Amiga, Amiga CD32, Macintosh, and DOS. It was later relicensed by Namco as Pac-In-Time, replacing the characters to fit the Pac-Man franchise. It is part of the Skweek franchise.
Pac-Man Museum is a 2014 compilation title developed by Mine Loader Software and published by Bandai Namco Games under the Namco label. It is a compilation of 9 Pac-Man games, with additional features such as achievements and online leaderboards.
Cosmo Gang the Puzzle is a 1992 falling block puzzle arcade video game developed and published by Namco worldwide. The third game in its Cosmo Gang series, succeeding that year's Cosmo Gang the Video, players stack groups of blocks and aliens known as Jammers in a vertical-oriented well. The objective is to clear as many objects on the screen before they reach the top of the screen. Blocks are cleared by aligning them into complete horizontal rows, while Jammers are cleared by defeating them with blue-colored spheres.
Pac-Man Museum+ is a 2022 compilation video game developed by Now Production and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Being a sequel to the 2014 compilation title Pac-Man Museum, Pac-Man Museum+ includes 14 games from the Pac-Man series, with additional features such as missions and online leaderboards.