Hugo (video game)

Hugo
Cover of a 1996 PC CD-ROM game
Developer(s)	Silverrock Productions
Publisher(s)	ITE Media
Producer(s)	Ivan Sølvason
Artist(s)	Niels Krogh Mortensen Lars Krogh Mortensen
Composer(s)	Jens-Christian Huus
Platform(s)	Amiga, Apple Macintosh, C64, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, PC
Release date(s)	1991–2000
Genre(s)	Action game
Mode(s)	Single player
Media/distribution	Floppy disks, CD-ROM

Hugo (PSX)
Developer(s)	ITE Media
Publisher(s)	ITE Media
Platform(s)	PlayStation
Release date(s)	EU 1998
Media/distribution	CD-ROM

Hugo 2 (PSX)
Developer(s)	ITE Media
Publisher(s)	ITE Media
Platform(s)	PlayStation
Release date(s)	EU May 2000

The original set of Hugo games for children first appeared for the purpose of interactive television in 1990. Soon after, it was converted for the Commodore Amiga and personal computer platforms as Hugo and Hugo 2. Since then, there have been various console ports and versions.

History

Computer games

The first Hugo computer game was Skærmtrolden Hugo, released in 1991 for the Amiga and Commodore 64. The game featured only one scenario, the "Labyrinth" (also known as "Goldmine"). It was created by SilverRock Productions (later ITE Media) as their first game since Super OsWALD in 1989.

The first "real" games were the 1992 Amiga games Hugo - På Nye Eventyr (the "Train and Mountain" levels) and its sequel Hugo - På Nye Eventyr Del 2 (the "Forest and Plane" levels). These two were later rereleased as a 1994 compilation titled simply Hugo and then ported to the PC in 1995-1996.

The other PC releases included Hugo 2 (1996), Hugo 3, Hugo 4, Hugo 5 (1997), and Hugo 6; gradually providing new minigames based on the expanding television show. These were later visually upgraded in the compilations Hugo Gold (1998), Hugo Platin (1999), and Hugo XL (1999); as well as the first four titles in the Hugo Classic Collection compilation series in 2000.

Console games

The Game Boy versions of Hugo and Hugo 2, both released by Laguna in 1995–1996 (or 1994–1997), are actually very different than the computer games, despite sharing the same title. In the first of these, Hugolina gets kidnapped by the Horned King, ruler of the castle Arbarus, after agreeing to his invitation; and Hugo has to free her and defeat the King. In the second, the goal is not to rescue the troll's family, but rather to help Hugo himself escape, as Scylla keeps him prisoner in her own magic castle. Due to limitations of the system, both games are simple side-scrolling platform games. In 1998, Hugo 2 was ported by Laguna Video Games and Infogames for Game Boy Color as Hugo 2½, more faithful to the source material, although still featuring simplified graphics and gameplay.

The two Sony PlayStation games of 1998–2000 (again titled simply Hugo and Hugo 2) were based directly on the computer games, but featured improved graphics and sounds (including music tracks for each stage), as well as a rendered intro sequence in Hugo 2.

Gameplay

In most of the games, a scourge of the troll woods - the wicked witch Scylla (named differently in some countries, such as "Hexana" in Germany and "Afskylia" in the original Danish version), caught and locked up Hugo, the troll's wife Hugoline, and the three children Rit, Rat, and Rut; because she needs them for her magic beauty treatment. Hugo must rescue them and bring peace to the woods, but because of evil Scylla there are many various obstacles in his path. Through the games, Hugo (voiced in German by Michael Habeck, Oliver Grimm and Oliver Baier) and sometimes also Scylla (voiced in German by Karin Kernke) communicate with the player directly (using digitized speeches), thus breaking the fourth wall (and even knocking on or scratching the screen from the inside).

The player has to complete several minigames on the way to rescuing Hugolina and the kids, and then complete the end games. Most of the scenarios use 2.5D graphics and are played using limited controls due to their origins in the television show. Some of the total of about 20 minigames (number varying depending of the version of the game) include:

• "Ballooning": Hugo's balloon has a hole and he has to make an emergency landing at the bottom of a ravine.
• "Climbing Wall": In this game, the troll has to climb a mountain while being chased by rising lava, avoiding dead ends and picking up gold bags for points. This scenario was re-made for Hugo 2 (PSX).
• "Forest": Hugo wanders through a dark forest where the cunning witch has set up many traps awaiting the troll. The player must make it safely through the forest. This scenario was re-made for Hugo (PSX).
• "Handcar": Hugo has found an old track that directly leads to the skull-shaped cave of Scylla. The player must ensire the troll and his handcar reach their destination safely by cleverly changing tracks, dodging the oncoming steam trains and collecting gold bags. This scenario was re-made for Hugo 2 (PSX).
• "Ice Cavern" (or "Dolmen Cave"): Hugo has found a secret back-entrance to the witch's lair, and in order to get in Hugo must jump around, collecting treasures, on ice pillars that are constantly moving up and down. If he stays on the pillars too long, some of the witch's traps will trigger. This scenario was re-made for Hugo 2 (PSX).
• "Labyrinth": Hugo attempts to go through a labyrinth to the top of a mountain. Scylla floods it in an attempt to drown the troll, so the player has to find the right path fast while avoiding traps.
• "Mine Track": Takes place underground in the long shafts of a mine. Moving at high speed in a mining wagon, Hugo must find the exit to the mine. In the ceiling and corridors lie many obstacles which he must try to avoid; picking up gold on the way increases the score.This scenario was re-made for Hugo 2 (PSX).
• "Moor": Hugo must cross a dangerous moor to reach Scylla's lair. He must steer clear of the numerous hidden dangers that lie ahead of him, including treacherous mud holes, colonies of bats, and a test which he must solve, if and when he finally reaches the end of the game. This scenario was re-made for Hugo 2 (PSX).
• "Mountaineering": Hugo is running up a mountain, dodging rolling boulders while trying to collect gold bags. This scenario was re-made for Hugo (PSX) and Hugo XL.
• "Parachutist": In this scene, Hugo parachutes directly to the witch's secret hideout in the forest. The player must steer Hugo to avoid obstacles such as birds and storm clouds, while collecting bags of gold.
• "Pilot": The troll is flying a biplane through a thunderstorm summoned by the witch, avoiding the storm and mines while collecting gold. This scenario was re-made for Hugo (PSX) and Hugo XL.
• "Rafting": Hugo is rafting on tree trunks along a wild river and must avoid branches and other hazards. He also cannot stay still too long, so the player must move through the trunks quickly, while collecting gold bags along the way, if possible. This scenario was re-made for Hugo (PSX) and Hugo XL.
• "Sleigh Ride": Hugo is sledding down a hill, avoiding birds and snowmen while collecting bags of gold. This scenario was re-made twice, first for Hugo Platin and then for Hugo 2 (PSX).
• "Snowboarding": On the mountain, Hugo has found snow tracks that lead down to the witch's cave. Unfortunately, Scylla knows Hugo's plans and has started an avalanche. The track down the hill is a net of skiing tracks with dead ends, and fast and slow slopes. Hugo swings on his snowboard, avoiding rolling snowballs and steep chasms while collecting gold. This scenario was re-made twice, first for Hugo Platin and Hugo Classic 2, and then for Hugo 2 (PSX).
• "Stones": Hugo is pursued by huge stones while trying to avoid being trapped in dead ends. Scylla has placed obstacles along the way to make things tough for Hugo, including tree roots to trip him up, as well as lava pits and other such "delights".

If the player manages to complete the journey and reach the destination (all minigames successfully completed), they proceed to the final set of minigames, after which the game is finished with a happy ending and the player's score is doubled.

• "Rope": As Hugo finally stands in front of Scylla and the cage that contains his family, he has to decide between three ropes in an attempt to vanquish her. Depending on the success or failure of this, either Hugo or Scylla is magically bound to, and then ejected from, a catapult. If he selects the correct rope, Hugo wins the confrontation and frees his family.
• "Lightning Bolts": Hugo has to hop though a checkboard-style stage to collect a key and open the door, while avoiding lightning spells being hurled at him by Scylla in a final attempt to stop him.
• "Keys": Hugo must find the right scene to open the door leading to Scylla's treasure room.

Hugo (PSX) and Hugo Platin featured two new exclusive end games, "Apple Harvest" and "Magic Hands".

Krea Media remake

Hugo Retro Mania
Developer(s)	Progressive Media
Publisher(s)	Krea Media
Release date(s)	2011
Genre(s)	Action game
Mode(s)	Single player
Media/distribution	Download

In 2011, Krae Media remade Skærmtrolden Hugo as Hugo Retro Mania, featuring all-new graphics and gameplay system. Unlike the original, the game also includes Scylla (renamed as "Sculla") and her servant Don Croco (from the Hugo Jungle Island series), as well as the "Rope" end game from Hugo.

See also

• Other Hugo video games

External links

• Hugo at MobyGames
• Hugo at Giant Bomb
• Amiga Hugo games at HOL database
• (German) Classic Hugo games at Hugo-Troll.de