Jump to content

Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Citation bot (talk | contribs) at 07:12, 22 May 2021 (Add: isbn, date. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom | #UCB_Category 2223/3643). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Bubsy in: Fractured Furry Tales
Cover art in all regions by Ken Macklin
Developer(s)Imagitec Design
Publisher(s)
Producer(s)Faran Thomason
Designer(s)David Severn
Jody Cobb
Mark Hooley
Programmer(s)Andrew Seed
Karl West
Nigel Conroy
Artist(s)Colin Jackson
Shaun McClure
Rick Lodge
Steve Noake
Composer(s)Alastair Lindsay
Kevin Saville
SeriesBubsy
Platform(s)Atari Jaguar
Release
  • NA: 9 December 1994
  • EU: January 1995
  • JP: July 1995
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Bubsy in: Fractured Furry Tales[a] is a platform video game developed by Imagitec Design and published by Atari Corporation exclusively for the Atari Jaguar in North America on December 9, 1994, then in Europe on January 1995 and later in Japan by Messe Sansao on July of the same year.[1][2][3] It is the third entry in the Bubsy franchise, which is preceded by Bubsy in: Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind and Bubsy 2. The title itself is a word play in reference to Fractured Fairy Tales, a segment from the animated television series The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends.

When all of the fairy tales suddenly become corrupted, Bubsy is now tasked on venturing through Fairytaleland and fixing them in order to protect all of the children in the world from these altered stories. Originally planned and advertised to be a port of the first entry in the series as part of a deal with Accolade for the Jaguar, Bubsy in: Fractured Furry Tales later became its own original title during development, while retaining all the gameplay elements from the original game.[4][5][6]

Bubsy in: Fractured Furry Tales received mixed reception since its release. While some critics praised the game's graphics, music and difficulty, others panned the controls, camera, level design, voice acting and personality of the main character. Reviewers also criticized the game for its lack of use of the hardware and compared it to the previous 16-bit iterations. By April 1, 1995, the game had sold less than 9,000 copies, though it is unknown how many were sold in total during its lifetime.[7] The series continued with Bubsy 3D, which was released in 1996 for the PlayStation. Retrospective reviews for the title have been equally mixed in recent years.

Gameplay

Bubsy is about to turn the signal light post from green to red during the game's first level.

Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales is a side-scrolling platform game in which the players take control of Bubsy, the game's protagonist, across five worlds comprising three levels each that are themed after well-known fairy tales that have been corrupted such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, Ali Baba, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Hansel and Gretel to restore them back into their original state.[8][9][10][11] Although it plays very similarly to the previous two entries in the series, the game has more emphasis towards puzzle elements in order to progress through the levels themselves and it closely follows the design and mechanics from the original title. While it has a password feature that allows players to resume their last progress, the cartridge's internal EEPROM only saves high scores and other settings made by them. The game also has a two-player option which allows two players to play the game by alternating turns with either one or two controllers.

The player must maneuver Bubsy through the levels by jumping and gliding, while also collecting objects scattered across the levels that grant points, now called Bubsy Balls instead of the orbs and yarn balls from previous titles and when 500 are collected, an extra life is granted and more lives can be earned by collecting numbered t-shirts. Players start off with nine lives at the beginning of the game, which are lost if Bubsy comes into contact with an enemy or an enemy attack, falls into either a spiked pit, a body of water or from heights without gliding, gets crushed, or running out of time and once all lives are lost the game is over, though players can keep playing from the last level they died by finding a continue item.

Bubsy can only take one hit before losing a life, instead of three hits as in Bubsy 2. Another omission from the second game is the Nerf gun, which leaves Bubsy without any other means of facing against enemies and bosses besides jumping on them. Some of the enemies and bosses in the game are themed after their respective levels representing one of the five fairy tales and when killed, enemies do not respawn on the level, even after the player loses a life. Unlike the second game where players could choose stages, stage progression on Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales is instead linear.

Other returning elements from the first game are crates containing objects that either benefit or harm players, invincibility t-shirts that render Bubsy immune to enemy contact and attacks but not from environmental hazards, checkpoints that let players restart at the last location reached after dying, among others. New to the game are signal light posts placed at a fixed position on the level, which act as switches to deactivate spiked doors that block a section of the level if they are colored red and when colored green the doors open, allowing players to progress further through the stage. Also returning from both the first and second title are doors that warp Bubsy into another section of the level or a hidden room.

Plot

The fairy tales on the world have suddenly become altered after Mother Goose, who maintained peace and balance throughout them on Fairytaleland, was captured by both Hansel and Gretel, leading to the appearance of creatures that corrupted these stories. As a result, Bubsy sets out to stop the creatures and antagonists of the now-altered stories in order to protect the kids from their current state.[12] After Bubsy defeats both Hansel and Gretel as well as freeing Mother Goose from her captivity, all of the stories in Fairytaleland revert to normal and the creatures disappear afterwards, with Bubsy deciding on what is next for him.[13]

Development and release

In November 1993, Accolade signed an agreement with Atari Corporation to be a third-party developer for the Jaguar and licensed five titles from their catalog to Atari Corp. in order to be converted and release them to the system:[14][15][16][17] Barkley Shut Up and Jam!, Brett Hull Hockey, Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind, HardBall III and Jack Nicklaus' Power Challenge Golf (later renamed Jack Nicklaus Cyber Golf[18][19]). The original intended idea was to port the first Bubsy title to the Jaguar, with magazines advertising it as such.[4] According to producer Faran Thomason however, it was decided to create an original title in the series while using the source code from the first game as a base at one point during development.[5] Some of the enemies were created by artist Shaun McClure at Imagitec.[20] Mark Hooley was responsible for designing some of the levels in the game.[21] Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales was showcased in a playable state at SCES '94.[22][23][24][25][26] It was the only title out of the five games from the Atari-Accolade deal that was released for the system.[6]

Reception

Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales received largely mixed reviews. The scores given by Electronic Gaming Monthly's five editors averaged to a modest 6.4/10, but reviewer Mike Weigand (who gave it a 7) lauded the game, commenting that "Bubsy fans will love this version of the popular character, and this one will prove challenging to even the most hardened veterans of the series. The levels are huge, the graphics are very detailed and the sound is equally impressive".[29] GamePro commented that "Bubsy offers a muddled mix of good and bad ingredients", citing colorful graphics but jerky animation, good music but raspy sound effects, inconsistent control responsiveness, and fickle collision detection.[9] Next Generation said it has colorful and visually pleasing graphics but generic gameplay, and concluded: "Not a bad title, but platform fans will probably find Zool 2 a little more entertaining and a lot more innovative".[10]

In a retrospective review, IGN wrote that while the fairy tale theme worked, the game's attitude felt very forced, the extras and improvements from Bubsy 2 had been dropped, and that the game overall felt like "one giant step sideways".[40] Atari HQ was equally critical of the game, citing a frustrating combination of sloppy controls and high difficulty, and suggesting Jaguar owners buy the original Rayman instead, due to better graphics and sound.[28] Many reviews found the game to be too close to the previous installments of the games in the Bubsy series, which were not rated very well either.[41][42][43][44]

Additionally, several reviewers found the graphics to be impressive by Super NES standards, but not necessarily for a system that was advertised to be more advanced.[41][42][44] The Atari Times gave the game 70%, complimenting the graphics and music, though criticizing the animation and control.[45] Electric Escape was also positive of the game as they gave it 7 out of 10, and said that "enthusiasts of the first Bubsy adventure and of platformers in general will find this a decent title to add to their collection".[46] Oldies Rising scored it 15 out of 20, stating that while the game does not show the qualities of a 64-bit system, pleasure can still be found in it.[47]

The book Inside Electronic Game Design by Arnie Katz tells that 50,000 copies were sold the first 6 months of release, with only 60,000 being produced.[48]

Notes

  1. ^ Also known as simply Bubsy (Japanese: バブジー, Hepburn: Babujī) in Japan.

References

  1. ^ "ATARI RELEASES MORE JAGUAR GAME TITLES; FIVE NEW GAMES AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY GIVING". Nine Lives. December 9, 1994. Archived from the original on November 21, 2001. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  2. ^ "Games Watch: Jaguar - Bubsy". Games World. No. 5. Paragon Publishing. November 1994. p. 100.
  3. ^ DD (October 14, 2012). "JAGUER販売カタログ". astralunit.blog.fc2.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-04.
  4. ^ a b "Action Feature - Jaguar Previews - The Jaguar moves in". Atari ST User. No. 99. Europress. April 1994. pp. 64–69.
  5. ^ a b doctorclu (May 23, 2016). Interview with Faran Thomason about Bubsy on the Atari Jaguar. YouTube.
  6. ^ a b Wallett, Adrian (September 3, 2017). "Faran Thomason (Atari/Nintendo) – Interview". arcadeattack.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  7. ^ "Atari Jaguar Lifetime Sales". betaphasegames.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  8. ^ a b "Speedy Gonzatest - Jaguar - Bubsy In Fractured Fury Tales". Consoles + (in French). No. 41. M.E.R.7. March 1995. p. 146. Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  9. ^ a b c LaMancha, Manny (February 1995). "ProReview: Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales". GamePro. No. 67. IDG. p. 104. Archived from the original on 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  10. ^ a b c "Finals - Jaguar - Bubsy: Fractured Furry Tales". Next Generation. No. 3. Imagine Media. March 1995. pp. 90–91.
  11. ^ a b Loftus, Jim (March 1995). "Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales - Bubsy Shows Absolutely No Signs Of Being 64-Bit". VideoGames - The Ultimate Gaming Magazine. No. 74. L.F.P., Inc. p. 77.
  12. ^ Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales game manual (Atari Jaguar, US)
  13. ^ "Ending for Bubsy In: Fractured Furry Tales (Atari Jaguar)". vgmuseum.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  14. ^ "ATARI SIGNS 15 MORE NEW SOFTWARE COMPANIES; JAGUAR MOMENTUM ACCELERATES; TOTAL OF 35 AGREEMENTS SIGNED". Nine Lives. November 29, 1993. Archived from the original on December 7, 2004. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  15. ^ "Other Stuff". GameFan. Vol. 2, no. 1. Shinno Media. December 1993. p. 212.
  16. ^ "ProNews: Atari Announces Jaguar Licenses". GamePro. No. 55. IDG. February 1994. p. 186.
  17. ^ "News - Update - Sports Accolade". ST Format. No. 55. Future plc. February 1994. p. 86. Archived from the original on 2016-07-20. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  18. ^ "Atari Jaguar - Jack Nicklaus Cyber Golf". atarimania.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  19. ^ Monokoma (August 7, 2010). "Jack Nicklaus Cyber Golf [Jaguar CD – Cancelled]". unseen64.net. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  20. ^ McClure, Shaun; Wells, Hilary (April 17, 2017). Video Game Development - The Rock and Roll Years: A Life in Pixels. ISBN 978-1521085592.
  21. ^ Wallett, Adrian (October 4, 2019). "Mark Hooley (Atari/Imagitec) – Interview". arcadeattack.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
  22. ^ Gavet, Nicolas (September 1994). "Jaguar - Atari - Le Jaguar, La Preuve Par 64". Consoles + (in French). No. 35. M.E.R.7. pp. 86–87. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  23. ^ "1995 Video Game Preview Guide - All The Latest Games From The Summer CES - Jaguar". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 61. EGM Media, LLC. August 1994. p. 161.
  24. ^ "Summer CES Highlights - Jaguar". GameFan. Vol. 2, no. 9. Shinno Media. August 1994. p. 151.
  25. ^ "CES Chicago 94 - La Jaguar Sort Ses Griffes". Joypad (in French). No. 33. Yellow Media. August 1994. pp. 88–89.
  26. ^ "Dossier - CES - Jaguar: Living On The Edge". Player One (in French). No. 44. Média Système Édition. July 1994. p. 56.
  27. ^ Scholeri III, Joseph. "Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales - Overview". AllGame. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  28. ^ a b Iida, Keith. "AGH Jaguar Review: BUBSY". atarihq.com. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  29. ^ a b "Review Crew - Major Mike's Game Roundup - Bubsy - Atari/Jaguar". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 68. EGM Media, LLC. March 1995. p. 38.
  30. ^ "News - 3DO/Jaguar - Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales". Game Players. No. 69. Signal Research. March 1995. p. 21.
  31. ^ Perry, Dave; Wilton, Pete; Roberts, Nick; Price, Adrian (March 1995). "Reviews: Bubsy". Games World. No. 9. Paragon Publishing. p. 15.
  32. ^ Jaeckel, Daniel (March 1995). "Jaguar - Test Zum Spiel "Bubsy" - Luchs im Märchenland". Jaguar (in German). No. 2. Falke Verlag. pp. 6–7.
  33. ^ Bannert, Robert (March 1995). "Spiele-Tests - Jaguar - Bubsy Fractured Furry Tales". MAN!AC (in German). No. 17. Cybermedia. p. 72.
  34. ^ Weidner, Martin (February 1995). "Test Jaguar – Bubsy In: Fractured Furry Tales". Mega Fun (in German). No. 29. CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. p. 108. Archived from the original on 2018-08-21. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  35. ^ Souibgui, Sam (February 1995). "Vite Vu – Jaguar – Bubsy". Player One (in French). No. 50. Média Système Édition. p. 104. Archived from the original on 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2018-08-23.
  36. ^ Girlich, Stephan (March 1995). "Jaguar Reviews - Bubsy: Fractured Furry Tales". Play Time (in German). No. 45. CT Computec Verlag GmbH & Co. KG. p. 116. Archived from the original on 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  37. ^ F, R (March 1995). "Jaguar: Bubsy". ST-Computer (in German). No. 107. falkemedia. p. 95.
  38. ^ Abramson, Marc (March 1995). "Cahier Loisirs / Test - Jaguar: 3 Nouveaux Jeux - Bubsy". ST Magazine (in French). No. 92. Pressimage. pp. 58–59. Archived from the original on 2018-09-24. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  39. ^ Neumayer, Manfred (March 1995). "Atari Jaguar - Reviews - Bubsy: Fractured Furry Tales". Video Games (in German). No. 40. Future-Verlag. p. 83. Archived from the original on 2018-08-21. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  40. ^ "IGN Retro Feature". Archived from the original on 2010-08-02. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
  41. ^ a b "Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales Review". Flyingomelette.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-04. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  42. ^ a b "AGH Jaguar Review - Bubsy In: Fractured Furry Tales". Atarihq.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  43. ^ "What Hath Sonic Wrought?, Vol. 1 - IGN". Retro.ign.com. Archived from the original on 2010-08-02. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  44. ^ a b "Bubsy". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 2013-03-31. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
  45. ^ Christopher J. Bean (May 12, 2008). "Bubsy: Step aside Skylar, Bubsy is the new voice of town". The Atari Times. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved 2017-07-21.
  46. ^ Robert A. Jung. "Jaguar Reviews - Bubsy (in Fractured Furry Tales)". Electric Escape.net. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
  47. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2018-06-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  48. ^ Bubsy Jaguar. Inside electronic game design, By Arnie Katz. March 1995. ISBN 9781559586696. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bubsy_in_Fractured_Furry_Tales&oldid=1024456303"