The World of CD-i Chronicles #26

Do you like puzzle and enigma games? Yes? So Labyrinth of Crete™  is your game! This is a very good game with great great graphics and sound! A “Must Have” in your collection!

SOME HISTORY:
Released in 1997 by the famous FunHouse and published by Philips Media, this title was directed by the award-winning game-designer Cliff Johnson. It has also been release on the USA but only for PC/CDROM.

SOME FACTS:
FunHouse was a division of Philips Media, they released many titles, in my opinion, all with very good quality, such as Merlin’s Apprentice, Surf City and Cartoon Carnival.

THE GAME:
The game starts with an animation right from the Philips Media logo, typical from FunHouse.

The animation keeps going until the main menu screen.

Pressing “play”, you will choose your character between 12 icons, this part is for the a new game, saved game or solved game.

You will then choose the difficulty level for the following 5 kind of puzzles:
Words, Shapes, Action, Memory and Logic.
Difficulties levels are:
Beginner (green), Advanced blue), Expert (red).

After you have set the difficulty, another animation will begin to introduce you into the story and you will start the game from the room of the Moon, with access to the Temples of the Gods.
From the left to the right you will see:
Poseidon, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes and Hades.
The Minotaur at the leftmost side is the exit.

There is also the room of the Sun, this time it will gives you access to the Temples of the Goddesses.
They are from the left to the right:
Athena, Aphrodite, Artemis, Demeter and Eos.
To reach this room, you first need to solve all the Temples from the room of the Moon.

Each temple will lead to different puzzles games.
Patchwork Challenge:

Block Challenge:

Maze Challenge:

Tracer Challenge:

After clearing 4 levels of each God, an animation will show you the zodiac symbol that you have unlocked.

You will return to the room of the Moon and will see the closed door of the Temple you completed.

Do the same with all the Gods and Goddesses to finally get all the zodiac symbols.

After that you will get access to the Minotaur’s Lair Challenge and reach the exit!

This game have more challenges to put your brain in dust and I must recommend you to get it to your collection!

Other information:
– 1 player only.
– Digital Video Cartridge required.
– Gamepad recommended.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Working – No Issues

Good Points:
– Very good animations.
– 47 puzzles to solve.
– Very good quality.

Bad Points:
– No 2 players.

EVALUATION:
Graphics 10/10
Music 9/10
Gameplay 9/10
TOTAL 9/10

Find all the Chronicles at www.theworldofcdi.com
Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt
Facebook: Support Group

Written by omegalfa, © 04/09/2020

Chronicle #31 – Marlboro – Follow Your Dreams

Here is something we really don’t use to see a lot, Marlboro – Follow Your Dreams.
This is a free promotional disc from Philip Morris, the owner of Marlboro brand.
The objective was to promote the Marlboro Adventure Team that used in the 90’s to make sports adventures events all around the world. Motorbike, jeep and rafting was the main sports all combined into an unique competition where the American cowboy lifestyle was also very improved. During 10 days teams from all around the world raced to be the best.

This promotional disc is a German release from Philip Morris GmbH back in 1993, one year after the official 1st Marlboro event.

This is a CD-i Ready disc, that means it will work in a CD-i player and an Audio CD player (music only).
Here are the music just for you! Keep listening the music while reading the review. 😉
Remember, you can download the MP3 music by clicking on the right mouse’s button and choosing “Save as…”.

Regarding the CD-i part, the most important for us, there is a little game on it, and this is what I am going to talk about!

Marlboro – Follow Your Dreams – The Game Review

The disc start directly to this view, no intro and also no music.
Only a motor noise in background. At first time I thought it was a disc problem but I am using the original sent by mail by Blurb69 just to make this review. We don’t play with reviews, we take them very seriously! 😉

Remember, this is a German title, I will try my best!

At the top left you can see a table with 4×4 squares and a timer indicating 2 minutes. Next to it there is a little video screen where parts of the Marlboro movie is continuously playing. The last item is a window is all in German, indicating different thing along the gameplay.
You only can move the cursor (red cross) through the bottom picture. On this image there is 3 still pictures, a jeep, a motorbike and a river rafting boat. If you move to the upper frame the cursor will return automatically to the 1st jeep.

Press button 1 in any part of the screen and the game will start.

This map is now appearing, this is when you understand the reason of the 4×4 table on the top of the screen.
They are in the gameplay indicated as A1 to A4 (bottom left to bottom right), B1 to B4, C1 to C4 and D1 to D4 in the upper row. This table will indicates you where you are in the map while playing.

You start at A1, look at the Red dots, they are check points. 4 in total.
The Finish line is at D4, this Red dot is a little bigger.

 

 

 

You can finish the game going directly to the finish line, the game will not recognize that you didn’t pass through the check points, but at the end your points will be lower. Points are calculated by the distance run and the check points. Each check point gives you 500 extra points.

You only have 2 minutes to reach the Finish line and all the check points.
Your vehicle starts as a jeep but in the screen it is just a little Rec cross.
This is a top view, still picture where only the cross moves.
You don’t need to press any button to accelerate or break. Just move the cursor to the side you want to go.

 

 

 

 

 

Some difficulties have been added to the cursor movements.
1st as you are running on sand, while moving your vehicle, you will feel you are almost sliding on ice, the car take some time to turn and stop, you will need to control the directional pad to go exactly were you want to go.
Also, rocks will stop you and different kind of floor will slowdown your speed.

 

 

 

 

 

As explained earlier, you will use different vehicle depending on where you are running.
You can see here some examples:

There is also the possibility to be transported by helicopter if your car fall in deep water.
In this case a VHF radio appears on the screen. Just touch it and you will go directly from this place to the “H” of helicopter landing site.

All along the game, no music, only this annoying motor noise that change of intensity depending on the your speed.

 

 

After you reach the Finish point, the game is over and you will know your points.
Incredibly, after that, you will play again in the exactly same map. No mater if you reach all the check points… always the same Marlboro Adventure!

 

 

Overall, this is good idea for a company that do not use to enter into this kind of things.
– The game miss music, the motor noise is really annoying right from the beginning, especially because there is absolutely nothing else in background…
– A gamepad is definitely needed and for this kind of vehicle control, a roller controller isn’t a bad idea.
– To bad you can’t play different maps, and having a little vehicle instead of a Red cross cursor would also be better.
– The concept is good for a 1993 title and for a free title!

Other information:
– 1 player.
– Digital Video Cartridge not required.
– Gamepad recommended.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Not tested yet.

Good Points:
– Great music.
– Full Motion Action Replays.

Bad Points:
– No visualization of vehicles.
– Hard vehicle control.
– Annoying motor sound.

EVALUATION:
Graphics 5/10
Music 5/10
Gameplay 4/10
TOTAL 4,6/10

Find all the Chronicles at www.theworldofcdi.com
Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt
Facebook: Support Group

Written by omegalfa, © 23/10/2020

The World of CD-i Chronicles #27

Have you ever wanted to be inside a labyrinth trying to find your way out? Lost for hours? It is now possible with this CD-i version!
And if you could play it in family or with friends… drinking a beer…?

SOME HISTORY:
Published by and produced by AVM AG/HQ GmbH in 1994, this labyrinth with the walls always in movement is an idea of Ravensburger, the king of board games.
No problem if you can’t remember the board game, you will know how to play it after reading this review.

SOME FACTS:
Ravensburger did convert another board game for CD-i, Scotland Yard. There is no doubt the CD-i is the perfect platform to convert a board game into a digital and interactive game!

THE GAME:
This game is a pure labyrinth game style.
It starts with the new Philips Media animation and the Interactive Entertainment Found.

A 3D video present the game showing an old manor… accompanied by a sinister music and noises from the forest… a good way to put you in the ambiance of what is coming for you…

As I am reviewing the European version, once the video finished, you will have to choose the language between:
German, Dutch, English and French.

Once chosen, an animation will brings you to Main Menu, the place that you can choose the number of players, between 1 to 4 (alternatively).

In the options, you can choose the number of magic objects that will have to find. They can be 7, 13 or 21.
You also can play with or without the 3D labyrinth (we will talk about this later).

After setting the options and the number of players, you are going the the basement of the manor… the underground labyrinth…

WITHOUT 3D LABYRINTH GAMEPLAY:
I choose 4 players and 21 magical objects. The 1st game a am playing is without 3D labyrinth, this way it is easy to understand the way you play the game.
4 player represented by 4 icons that are:
Red star, Green cross, Yellow heart and Blue triangle.

Each player have to reach a Magical Object (treasure) numbered 1, 2 and 3 to win points (the brown boxes). Treasure 1 is the one with less points and treasure 3 the one with more points. But the points aren’t linear as the quicker you reach them, more points you will get.

But before you can reach them, you need to add a wall piece into the labyrinth. Doing this you will change the line you are going to insert it. You can rotate the new piece to be more appropriate to your next move. Once you have added it, you can move your player.
Even if more than 1 treasure is on your way, your turn pass after taking the first, so be clever and think well before taking it… choose the one with more points!

By moving the walls, you are also destroying or helping your opponent next move!
Be sure you are fast, the clock will limit you and if you are not fast enough, your turn will pass…

If you play the game alone (1 player) the game rules are the same, but you are the only one playing (the opponents are just present but not playing).

After getting all the Magical Objects, the player with more points are the winner and you will write your name one the Guestbook of the mansion.

WITH 3D LABYRINTH GAMEPLAY:
Now playing the 3D labyrinth gives more interactivity to the game.
It starts the same way, you need to add a piece before playing, but after that, you will walk in the labyrinth.

You will always start facing North, just like the board game. Use the arrows to go forward, turn left or right.
You will meet entities and you will have to choose if they are friends or phantoms… to decide who it is, just click the left or the right icon.
If you are wrong and give a hand-check to a phantom, you will lose your points… if you get the right answer, you will follow your way.

If you find a treasure, you also will decide if it is a real one or a magical one… if you are right and decide that it is a magical one, then you can double or triplicate your points! If it is not a magical one but decided it is… you will lose the treasure.

After you finish the game, an animation with the player will appear in a party in the mansion.

To conclude, this is a very good game to play with friends or even alone. I do prefer playing without the 3D labyrinth, it is faster. The 3D labyrinth is a little bit confusion to find your way, even if you can always check your position on the boar.

When exiting the game, you will see the pictures of the people who worked on the game.

I recommend you to play this game, it deserve it and with friends you will get a fun time!

Other information:
– 4 players (alternatively).
– No Digital Video Cartridge required.
– Gamepad recommended.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Not working

Good Points:
– 4 players.
– Fun moment with friends.
– The ambiance with the sound…

Bad Points:
– 3D labyrinth a little bit confusiong.

EVALUATION:
Graphics 8/10
Music 8/10
Gameplay 8/10
TOTAL 8/10

Find all the Chronicles at www.theworldofcdi.com
Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt
Facebook: Support Group

Written by omegalfa, © 11/09/2020

The World of CD-i Chronicles #29
Mind Quest Review

There is many unpublished or unreleased CD-i titles. I am going to review another one for you and this time I choose Mind Quest.
This one never passed Testing Phase 1. Unlike my last unpublished title What’s it Worth?, this one isn’t available for free download.

SOME HISTORY: 
This game never passed the Testing Phase 1 and the latest known disc is version 1.02 from 24th January 1994. But we assume the official date as 1993 because in the credits of the title, it is 1993.
Catalogue number 811 023(England) was already given to this title, but unfortunately, for some reason, it didn’t reach the release status.

SOME FACTS:
Created by Fit Vision, George Scott was the producer of this amazing title! The team is almost the same as the one who created Great British Golf and Nature Under Threat. We still do not know why it as been cancelled, but in the USA CD-i Magazine issue 2, it was reviewed and announced for very soon at that time.

THE GAME:
This game can be compared to a puzzle book that you was able to find back in the 90’s, but all compiled into a CD-i game!
You are entering into a flying pyramid somewhere between time and space. This pyramid is made by 15 other smalls pyramids and each pyramid have many mind puzzles to solve…

In the middle of the pyramid is the Main Room, and this is where you start.

By clicking in the bottom left icon you will reach the help menu.
And you can always return to the Main Room by clicking on the Paper Plane.

Once again on the Main Room, if you click on the upper right icon, you will access the Game’s Options, there you can set the difficulty level (from 1 to 3) for each kind of puzzles: Visual puzzles, Mathematics puzzles and Words puzzles.

You are also able to reset the crossed words puzzles and sliding pictures (I will talk about them later).

On the floor you can see white arrows. Using the cursor you will be able to turn around and make a 360º turn. Each time you click on a arrow it will turn 1/6 of the room, so you will be able to see 6 sides.

You can see doors at each side and 2 painting around each door.
If you click on a painting you will play a picture game or a crossword game.
The picture one is a sliding cube. The objective is to complete the picture.
The crosswords is completely different from what you use to play on your newspaper… Placing the cursor on the line you want to solve, you will find a wrote tip… or listen to a sound tip… or watching an animated tip…
What a brilliant idea!

If you click on a door, you will get access to 3 kind of rooms with mathematical, Visual and Words puzzles.
3 kind of rooms known as the Museum Room, the Islamic Room and the Classical Room.

During the game you will be assisted by 3 characters:
Mona – Visual puzzles.
Trip – Mathematics puzzles
Will – Words puzzles

Accessing a door, you will see one of those pictures…

Each little triangle you are seeing are puzzles to solve.
If you see a set of 8 puzzles, then you have to solve 2 of them to go to the next level.
If you only see 4, you just need to solve 1.
You can leave a puzzle at anytime and come back later to try again the previous, but… After a while, 2 of them will randomly removed from the set…
Each puzzle have a remaining countdown clock…

See some of the available puzzles:

Your progress and time you spend in solving them will always be under watch of Trip.

Of course, at the end you can add your name on the High Scores page.

Finally, when exiting the game, you will see the credits of the game.

In conclusion, this game, if published, would be one of the best and most complete puzzle game of the 90’s. a very advanced mind blowing game! Just look the way they made the crosswords game… way ahead others… I must congratulate the guys behind this amazing title!
But at the same time, I must confess the navigation and understanding of the game is a little bit confusing the first time you play it.

Alan_CDiZone, our titles information responsible also tried this game and talked with me about his experience:

The last time I played it, just a few weeks ago, I did my best ever reaching level 10. It is so hard because it’s also against the clock. So by the time I reached this level, I was pretty much out of time!

It’s packed full of little mini games, you can do sliding picture puzzles and crosswords, and also changed the level of difficulty (1 – 3). If you do really well on the main game, you get some good feedback from the 3 characters ”an absolutely splendorous performance”).

A great game for the puzzle fan in particular.

Other information:
– 1 player.
– No Digital Video Cartridge required.
– Gamepad recommended.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Not tested

Good Points:
– Perfect for puzzles lovers.
– Many many many puzzles.
– A lot of audio and good music…

Bad Points:
– A little bit confusing at first…
– Not published…

EVALUATION:
Graphics 8/10
Music 7/10
Gameplay 10/10
TOTAL 8/10

Find all the Chronicles at www.theworldofcdi.com
Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt
Facebook: Support Group

Written by omegalfa, © 02/10/2020

The World of CD-i Chronicles #30
NFL – Instant Replay

I am going to review a game not well-known by many of you, especially if you are from Europe called NFL – Instant Replay.
I want to thank you Seventy7 (our website member) for sending me a copy of this title.
NFL means National Football League, but you might know in other-seas, football is in fact American Football… our football, in Europe, is Soccer in USA… Are you still with me…?
I am not a big fan of NFL, to be true, I only knew what was a Touchdown… but after playing this game, believe me, I know much better this fighting game… I mean… this sport game…! 😉

SOME HISTORY:
Produced by CapDisc and published by Philips Media of America (PIMA) in 1995, this game is licensed by NFL, one of the most famous sports in the USA. CapDisc is also responsible for games like Mad Dog McCree™ and many other games available on CD-i.

SOME FACTS:
This NFL title isn’t the only one available on CD-i, you also can find NFL – Hall of Fame Football, NFL – Football Trivia Challenge 93/94, NFL – Football Trivia Challenge 94/95 and also a special box called NFL – The Ultimate Football Collection – Triple Pack.

THE GAME:
I have tried many titles along my CD-i life, but I never played any of the NFL ones, for the main reason I am not a fan of this sport.
I have to say I am absolutely astonished by this one, especially for the kind of gameplay.
We are talking about a game that you are the referee and have to decide what is the call of more than 300 actions.

After a cool little video intro, you will see this game logo.

Right after that, a referee will talk in a Full Motion Video (FMV) to you explaining the reason of being a referee and the difficulties of having the right answer for the right action in a few seconds…

The main menu is the cloakroom, this following image made me remember Mad Dog McCree™ main menu style with moving icons when clicking on it.

This game is a 2 player game, Head-to-Head, that means you can play alone or simultaneously with a friend.
Choose the jersey with number 1 for one player only, or the number 2 for Head-to-Head mode game.
The other options are the First Help box to listen the rules and the shower to exit the game.
To start a new game, choose the number of players and then click on the left door.

The game is now starting, I will first try the 1 player mode and show you the 2 players later on.
The referee gives you some more information about what you have to do.

You have to decide the right call of 16 actions. Each action represent 1 week, so the game will finish on week 16.

So, 1st question… a video starts on Full Motion with a duration of a few seconds, it is an action replay and after that you will see 4 possible answers.
To answer, look at the arrows near each possibilities. Keep pressing the directional pad of your choice and then press button 1 or 2 (the game only use 1 button).
You have 20 seconds to answer, if you don’t give an answer, no points.

After answered, listen the referee (Pat Summerall) giving the right answer and explaining why, if you still have some doubt, just click on rulling to read a short explanation from the NFL Rule Book. You also can watch again the action play by clicking on video.

On 2 player mode, the game is rolling the same but with one exception…

Both players have 20 seconds to answer, but instead of the answer being highlighted like on 1 player mode, now no answers will be known, this way both players can answer secretly. Only when the referee give the right answer, you will know who choose what.

At the end of the 16 weeks (questions) you will get this following screen. You have to give a minimum of 65% of good answers to be able to go to the next referee level.

I will never go further because I definitely don’t know the NFL rules… But if you finish with the minimum of 65%, then you will be called to be the referee of other leagues and if you are really good on this, then, be the referee of the Super Bowl match!

When you know the right answer, the referee placed on the left top, near your points will be animated, and depending of the right or wrong answer, he will do this:

A right answer will gives you points, the same points as the seconds still remaining, so a fast good answer can gives you from 1 to 20 points, depending of your speed.
At the end of the 16 questions, ONLY the minimum of 65% matter, not the points.

When exiting the game, you will see the game’s credits.

CONCLUSION:
I am really amazed by this game, especially by the way they design it, the way it works. I am still not a NFL fan, but I now know more rules of it.
My God, if CapDisc had done the same game but for soccer… the game had been a best-seller in Europe!

This game is not a Must Have, but you definitely have to play it because it deserves!

Other information:
– 2 players (Head-to-Head).
– Digital Video Cartridge required.
– Gamepad recommended.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Not tested yet.

Good Points:
– 2 players.
– Fantastic for NFL lovers!
– Full Motion Action Replays.

Bad Points:
– Some old videos actions from the 80’s are in pretty bad quality.
– If you aren’t familiar with the NFL, you will be lost.

EVALUATION:
Graphics 9/10
Music 8/10
Gameplay 10/10
TOTAL 9/10

Find all the Chronicles at www.theworldofcdi.com
Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt
Facebook: Support Group

Written by omegalfa, © 16/10/2020

Name: CD-Online Internet Browser disc 01
Year: 1996
Catalogue #: 8100332

“Welcome to RAM Raid: The best game on the internet, only available to CD-Online subscribers.
Your mission is to defeat others subscribers and became the best CD-Online RAM Raider and win the right to challenge RAM, the main computer.
Fight against RAM’s mercenaries, and defeat your fellow subscribers, RAM Raid is a heart-stopping jorney through “hyper-reality”.

Not bad right!!??
This message is shown after you inserted “CD-Online disc 01” and selected “the game”. Created back in 1996 by P.R.L. (Philips Research Laboratories) team and playable online via CD-Online server (not available anymore), this was the 1st ever world wide multiplayer online game.

After the creation of this game, Philips decided to create an offline version according to popularity of 1st person shooters known as DOOM like, and sell it as a regular CD-i game.
That’s when in 1997 Atlantis – The Last Resort born.
Atlantis use the same interface of RAM Raid and the same game’s engine, with absolutly new levels as new enemies. About the music, always the dance music, but a little bit polished.
Anyway, we need to say that the sensation betwen play alone against the computer is very differente than play a multiplayer game against opponents from other countries!

The Game is available on “CD-Online Internet Browser disc 01”
This is a CD-i disc with clickable links, they will let you browser to the internet.
2 modes are available: offline and online.

Offline:
This  version is a trainning mode to prepare the player before the internet connection.
2 levels are available: “Practice Arena” & “More Practice”.

Online:
This is the game we are talking about!
9 levels playing in a multiplayer mode, connected to internet.
We all know this is no more possible anymore, since CD-Online was shutdown back in 1999. Connecting to the server, data files was loaded (needed to play online) like maps, enemies and other.

As inside the CD-Online disc, RAM Raid was an european realised only, the American internet on TV known as web-i never got this game.

UPDATE:
Some questions about in which CD-Online disc RAM Raid is available came out.
As the article explain, this game were developed back in 1996, one year before Atlantis – The Last Resort.
The CD case + the disc shown at the top of the article is CD-Online Internet Browser disc 01. This is where the game appeared for the very first time. But the game is also available in more CD-online discs.

Using IsoBuster you can easily define if RAM Raid is inside a CD-Online disc.
We show you 2 screenshots from two different CD-Online Internet Browser disc 01, each one a different language.

CD-Online Internet Browser disc 01
– The European version with catalogue number “8101069 v2” is under English/French/Dutch languages.
V2 means that a earlier version is also available with the same catalogue number, but without v2.

CD-Online Internet Browser disc 01 – 96/10
– The Dutch version with catalogue number “8140153” is under Dutch/French (that is why the screenshot says Belgium.

We have in our possession since many years an absolute rarity title called Arte Rupestre no Vale do Côa.
This is a Portuguese commissioned and published by IPPAR (Instituto Português do Património Arquitectónico e Arqueológico) in 1995, a governmental institute and CITI (Centro de Investigação para Tecnologias Interactivas) was the selected company to make it to show in an interactive way Rock Art found in the Foz Côa Valley that you can discover here: Foz Coa Valley UNESCO World Heritage.

SOME HISTORY:
The Rock Arts of the Côa Valley (North of Portugal) have been discovered in 1995 when the Portuguese government was building a dam.
Everything stopped and engineers had to make some changes to avoid the discover to be submerged. Today it is possible to visit the site and the museum.

The IPPAR (Portuguese Institute of Architectural Heritage) asked CITI to make a presentation of the prints and paintings collection… and here we are to show you the result!

Nowadays new Rock Arts are still being discovered. The last important one has been discovered in April 2020 with a drawing with 3,50 meters, the biggest of the world until today.

SOME FACTS:

Take a look at this close CD picture, for some reason the year of release and the local of printing aren’t completed. This is a very interesting fact as the title is in fact a complete one and not any kind of Beta Testing, but all those information are available on the back cover. Keep reading this article at A Digital Video title article’s part to get more information about this point.

THE TITLE:
We are talking about a title that will show you in Full Motion Video (FMV), numerous findings made by the archaeologists in 1995.

The title starts with a FMV introduction with 4 minutes long explaining what is the title about and where is this place located.

After the intro you will reach the main menu. You will be able view more videos of the Rock Arts discovered in specific locations.
You can select different Valley zones:

1. Vale de José Esteves
2. Canada do Inferno
3. Orgal
4. Vale Figueira
5. Piscos
6. Quinta da Barca / Penascosa
7. Faia

By clicking on “Descoberta e Investigação” you can watch a video about the discover and investigation of the Valley site. It includes a live archaeologist finds during the video shot where you can see the happiness of the man jumping.

In all videos you can get access to the navigation menu bar placed at the bottom.

1. Back to Main Menu
2. Pause
3. Play
4. Slow Motion

Finally, choose “Saída” to leave the title and watch the credits.

 

A Digital Video title?
This is a Digital Video title, so it needs a Digital Video Cartridge (DVC) but there is absolutely no information about that on the disc or anywhere else on the covers. If you try the title without one inserted, you will get a black screen without sound nor any message telling you about the missing DVC like those who appears on other titles that needs it.
The black screen will stay until you decide to press a button on your remote.
After that, you will reach the main menu, but once again, if you click on any option, you will once again reach a black screen, without sound, but still, the Play, Pause and Slow Motion will appear (without any effect).

So, with no indication about the need of the DVC for this title, and if you don’t own a DVC, getting a black screen, you will think the disc may have an issue…

That is why, even if no videos appears by playing without a DVC, but still having access to the main menu with the arrow moving and being able to select an option, we will not consider this title as aa DVC optional but a DVC needed one. Maybe it is why there is not final release year nor country printing on the CD…

Other information:
– Not compatible with a Video-CD or DVD player.
– Digital Video Cartridge required. Can be played without one but no content will be shown unless the main menu.
– Remote can be used.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Not tested

Storage % used:
This title use no memory at all.

Good Points:
– A lot of Full Motion Videos!
– You will learn everything about this place.
– Very good audio quality.

Bad Points:
– Only in Portuguese.
– No pictures of the Rock Artes.

EVALUATION:
Graphics 9/10
Music 9/10
Creativity 5/10
TOTAL 7,6/10

Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt
Facebook: Support Group

Written by omegalfa, © 11/02/2021

Felix the Cat – Review

SOME HISTORY:
Felix the Cat is a famous cartoon character created in 1919 by Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer.
At that time the films was still silent but as he got a voice as soon as it became possible but at that time, Felix the Cat popularity was falling.
Joe Oriolo bring the character to life in 1953 with some modifications (with no teeth, longer legs, a much smaller body and a larger rounder head with no whiskers).
Don Oriolo (Joe Oriolo’s son) later assumed the creative control of Felix until 2014.
Today Felix the Cat rights belongs to DreamWorks Animation.
The development of this CD-i prototype I am going to review was at that time under the supervision of Don Oriolo himself… let’s go!

SOME FACTS:
Created by EMG Publishing, this game actually never got released to CD-i but Philips Media did gave the catalogue number 8100250 to the title, so it was meant to be released in 1995, but for some reason, he didn’t make it. Only the PC-CDROM got published by Philips Media in the same year, still a CD-i prototype version exists but was very well kept!
The Adaptation for CD-i was in charge by Gary McGroarty and the CD-i programmer was David Armstrong.
The complete game’s name is Felix the Cat’s Giant Electronic Comic Book.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
An Extra Special Thanks to Steep Haywire, without his charity and good graces the world would never be able to play this unreleased CD-i title! Not only did he share it with us, but he jumped through all of the hoops to try to get the best dump possible.
Also a Very Special Thanks to Seventy7 and his Preserve CD-i website for sharing every time with us titles in first hand.

THE GAME:
I am testing prototype v1.1, fully working.
We are talking about a kid’s game for ages between 4 to 8. It is a 1 player only and no Digital Video Cartridge (DVC) is needed.
I gave the roller controller to my daughter (who else better than a kid to tell how the game is?) and she got a lot of fun, even if she don’t understand English.

The game starts with an horizontal scrolling animation that shows you a beautiful landscape and takes you to Felix the cat. He is waiting for you under a tree, reading a book… the same book as you are going to play!

You will hen see the front page of this Giant Electronic Comic Book with a female voice explaining what to expect from it. Once explained, the book will open and you will reach the contents pages.
What surprised me is the number of activities available… 20, yes twenty!

On the contents you can see two lines on each color, that means 1 activity for each pages.
They are:

1. A message from Don Oriolo
2. The Magic Paintbrush
3. Making Faces
4. New Kit
5. Love this Planet
6. Did you see?
7. Mix-Ups!
8. Felix Movies
9. Join the Dots
10. Dewey Do-It
11. Nature Boys
12. Magic Squares
13. Lemonade Story
14. Lemonade Song
15. Fan Fare
16. A penny for your Thoughts
17. A Fish Story
18. A Fish Song
19. Draw Felix
20. Trans-Dimensional Trouble
21. Farewell

    

    

    
    

    

    

    
    

    

    

    
    

    

    

    
    

    

    

    
    

    

    
    

You can choose anyone of your choice and then turn the pages to the left or to the right, just like a real book.
At any time you can reach the contents page by clicking on the white book (top left of the right pages). Also, click on Felix head (top right of the left pages) to get help.

Let’s see all of them one by one, starting from the 1st activity.

1. A message from Don Oriolo (video)

Don Oriolo, as I said before, was at that time the owner of Felix the Cat. He will talk in a windowed screen (inside a TV) for a few seconds about who he is and what to expect from this title.

2. The Magic Paint Brush (animation)

You will watch an animation in full screen about Felix getting a mysterious magic brush from an old man. This brush will draw anything just like a professional artist, but… someone will bake it…

3. Making Faces (activity)

You can create different Felix faces expressions, choosing between pre-drawn heads, eyes and mouths.

4. New Kit on the Block (comic animation)

You will watch a comics story, using still pictures and listening to the voices reading the characters texts.
You can stop it at anytime and click on any bubble to listen it as many times as you want.

5. Love this Planet (animation)

Choose between the 4 available animals (a rabbit, a fox, a duck and a fish) and watch the still pictures animation commented by Felix. It will talks about pollution and recycling.

6. Did you See? (comic animation)

You will watch a comics story, using still pictures and listening to the voices reading the characters texts.
You can stop it at anytime and click on any bubble to listen it as many times as you want.

7. Mix-Ups (activity)

You can change the upper, middle and downer Felix’s clothes. Listen to him as he will tell you what he want to do, then, you have to choose the correct clothes for it.

8. Felix Movies (videos)

Watch 2 white and black old Felix movies in a windowed screen.
The available movies are “Astronomeous” and “April Maze”.

9. Join the Dots (activity)

This one will make your kids really happy!
Just join the numbered dots and see the final result! The image will get animated.

10. Dowey Do-It (activity)

You will learn how to do things using recycling stuff, step-by-step with commented still images.

11. Nature Boys (comic animation)

You will see a comic animation, but this time you can choose between listen to it, or play a role on it and do the characters talks (except Felix).

12. Magic Squares (activity)

Slide the squares to get a complete image.

13. Lemonade Extravaganza (activity)

Paint the next still animation pictures and then, watch it with your very own painting.

14. Lemonade Song (karaoke)

Based on the Lemonade Extravaganza animation, you can listen to the music, remove the voices, remove the drums, choose the specific character voice you want to remove, always with the music lyrics at the bottom.

15. Fan Fare (information)

If you want to send a letter to Felix Fan base, here you will get all the information.
Mail box and internet website.

16. A Penny for your Thoughts (animation)

You will watch an animation in full screen about Felix finding money falling from a rainbow… he will get 3 wishes… see what will happen…

17. A Fish Story (activity)

Just like on Lemonade Extravaganza, paint the next still animation pictures and then, watch it with your very own painting.

18. A Fish Song (karaoke)

Based on the A Fish Story animation, you can listen to the music, remove the voices, remove the drums, choose the specific character voice you want to remove, always with the music lyrics at the bottom.

19. How to Draw Felix (activity)

Don Oriolo voice will explain how to draw Felix body.

20.Trans-Dimensional Trouble (comic animation)

You will see a comic animation, but this time you can choose between listen to it, or play a role on it and do the characters talks (except Felix).

21. Farewall!

Leave the title and watch the credits.

CONCLUSION:
You will find some pretty interesting, some of them unseen on other kid’s titles.
A shame this never got released, your children would really enjoy it, just like my daughter. She especially loved Join the Dots and Mix-Ups.
Felix the Cat’s universe is there, pretty good animations with the original character voices.
A good way to show how an electronic book should be.
Congratulations!

Look at the PC CD-ROM covers, the final CD-i ones would also like the same but with “Compact Disc Interactive” on the red bottom line.

Other information:
– 1 player.
– No Digital Video Cartridge required.
– Roller Controller recommended.
– No memory used in the CD-i player storage.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Not tested.

Good Points:
– Good intro.
– Good music all along the game.

Bad Points:
– No full screen video (no DVC).
– Never published.

EVALUATION:
Graphics 8/10
Music 7/10
Gameplay 7/10
TOTAL 7,3/10

Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt

Written by omegalfa, © 23/07/2021

The World of CD-i Chronicle #17

I remember when I was walking around on some games shops, Secret Mission was on of those I always wanted to get. The cover made me dream of adventure and spy action, and in fact this is what the player will feel!
The front cover isn’t exactly what you will get, you just need to look at the back of the cover to find the differences.

SOME HISTORY:
Secret Mission as been produced by Microïdes in 1995 (French version) and 1996 (English version), the French company that almost made a 4 games on CD-i but finishes to release only 1 for CD-i. I am talking about Evidence, Ford Boyard – Le Défi and Ford Boyard – La Legende.

THE GAME:
You are Jeff, a spy that is attacked at your arrival in Opalia in the 1952. Suffering of amnesia you will avoid a Coups d’Etat, you will have to define if you work for the US government, Russian government, or both. Use the objects you will find, listen to the people who will interact with you (and who will influence your decisions). Decide the questions you want to ask and the answers you want to give.
This game will brings you a lot of action and the evolution of the history will surprise you positively!

The main view is as 3/4, or if you prefer, an oblique view. You will be able to interact with people and objects using the tools that appears on the up right side of the screen by pressing button 2.
Speak to someone, Look at something, Open doors or objects, Take something, Give something, Combine something, Use something and Save/Load a game.
Press button 1 to confirm your choice.
Button 1+2 isn’t used in this game.

Move around all places and find something to add on your inventory that may be helpful later.

Many video animations will be shown when your character is traveling form a place to another, this is due for 2 reasons. The 1st is for the beauty and polish the game. The 2nd reason is to fill a loading time from the disc with a short video sequence instead of getting a black screen for several seconds.

The game is beautifully designed, great scenarios full of colors. The music isn’t annoying at all, it merge you into the place and make you feel you are really there. The sound effects are also really great. Listen to the birds flying other you want you are outside, cars passing by, etc…

You will also have to solve some puzzles to get new clues, open safes, boxes and doors…

You will also play as a top view some and side view sometimes.
Swim on an underwater temple, find your way on a labyrinth, walk in the jungle…

This is a 1 player only and no need to use a Digital Video Cartridge (DVC).
This is a Must Have in your collection! A great game to play and replay many times!

Remember, your choices will influence the history, and your final choice will decide the whole game!

Other information:
– 1 player only.
– No Digital Video Cartridge required.
– Gamepad recommended.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Not tested yet…

Good Points:
– The graphics are great.
– A pleasant music along the game.
– Easy inventory system menu.
– Great history & scenarios.

Bad Points:
– Some difficulties to move the character to make his way.

EVALUATION:
Graphics 9/10
Music 8/10
Gameplay 8/10
TOTAL 8,3/10

Find all the Chronicles at www.theworldofcdi.com
Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt
Facebook: Support Group

Written by omegalfa, © 29/05/2020

The World of CD-i Chronicle #19

This is probably the most famous game in the world, created back in June 6th of 1984 by the Russian engineer Alexey Pajitnov, so 36 years celebrated last week… I am talking about Tetris. Who never played this game?

SOME HISTORY:
Released in 1991 by Philips POV Entertainment Group for the European version, and in 1992 for the US market, Philips couldn’t let the CD-i without a Tetris version. Using the advantage of the CD support, we are definitely talking about the most beautiful and relaxing Tetris you will ever play in your life!

THE GAME:
Do I really need to explain what is and how to play it? Yes? Really? Come one… where are you come from? Portugal?
Let’s go!

Blocks will drop from the top of the screen, you will use them to form lines in the bottom. Turn them to choose the right position and avoid reaching the top of the screen. If it does… game over!

On CD-i it starts with an options menu screen.
You are able to start right away using the default settings that are Level 0 and Height 0 with the next piece shown.
The Levels will increase the speed of the dropping blocks, and the Height will start the game with some random blocks on the screen until the height you choose.
You can start from Levels 0 to 9 and use the Height from 0 to 13. You also can define if you want to see the next block you will use.
Choose Same to play again your last configuration without choosing it again.

So let’s see why I say this is the most beautiful and relaxing Tetris version…
You are playing Tetris on an unique scenario. Dive in the nature, and not just pictures, no… motion video landscapes will follow you in this journey, changing after each level (each 10 lines).

That’s it? of course not!
Our hero Jim Andron has been contacted to create the astonishing music you will listen while playing.
We at The World of CD-i are in touch with him and other companies to release a Tetris Soundtrack album.
This combination of the landscape environment and the music while playing Tetris on CD-i is an experience for sure that will stay with you in your mind forever!

Philips should have called this game “tetris zen”!
Many people who never played Tetris but saw some videos of this game surrender to how exceptional this one is!
Even the ones who always criticize the CD-i ask if this is really CD-i game…

Use button 1 to rotate the blocks and button 2 to drop it right to the bottom.
To pause the game just hold up arrow for 2 seconds and then press button 1 to continue.

10 levels in total, with 10 exclusive soundtracks from Jim Andron, a pure pleasure for the eyes and the hears!

After you lose the game (Yes, you will lose even if playing a zen game…) you will be able to write your name in the High Scores page!

You have to play it once in you life!

Like a friend of mine says:
“Tetris on CD-i was my first ever experience of this series… and after that… all the other Tetris was absolutely disappointing!”

Other information:
– 1 player only.
– No Digital Video Cartridge required.
– You can use the remote or a gamepad to play this game.

CD-i Emulator Compatibility:
Not tested…

Good Points:
– Amazing landscape environment.
– Fantastic soundtrack.
– Zen playing for hours…
– Tetris on his best version!

Bad Points:
– No inverse rotation.
– 1 player only, a 2 player Head-to-Head would be great.

EVALUATION:
Graphics 10/10
Music 10/10
Gameplay 9/10
TOTAL 9,6/10

Find all the Chronicles at www.theworldofcdi.com
Contact: omegalfa@theworldofcdi.com
Twitter: @omegalfapt
Facebook: Support Group

Written by omegalfa, © 12/06/2020