An action adventure game in its purest sense.
Graphics: 7
Sounds: 7
Value: 8
Tilt: 8
Actual score: 7.8
Note: This review is based on Atari XL Adventurer's Edition.
Pitfall was certainly one of the dearly loved video game in 1982. Being voted as the number one game and producing many spin-offs like a Saturday morning cartoon show, there was no doubt that Pitfall II will be in production. So a year later Pitfall II was spawned. However this review is centered on the 1984 version of Pitfall II, Adventure’s Edition because it has extra materials and I’m an adventurer, that’s what I am.
You were called upon by the man himself David Crane to claim the ultimate prize, the Raj Diamond which is hidden within the caverns somewhere in the Andes, Peru. You and your team, Rhonda (your niece) and Quickclaw (the cat that looks like a monkey) located the tunnel entrance only to realise that your team seperated deep within the caverns. On top of this, you discovered that the stolen Fort Knox’s gold bars are also scattered among the caves so it’s time to play ‘Indy’ and get with the program – locate your team, collect the diamond and the gold bars and head for the surface.
The style of game play in Pitfall II is pretty similar to Pitfall. You control Pitfall Harry as you traverse your way throughout the caverns by jumping gaps and dodging enemies. You have no way of disposing your foes therefore excellent timing is required. Unlike Pitfall, the entire game is exploring through vast caves with plenty of jumping, swimming and a balloon ride! The entire feel of this game can be compared to Indiana Jones (less the bullwhip and the fedora hat).
However developer David Crane changed the concept of ‘lives’ and introduced a check-point system and ‘unlimited’ lives. This means that once Pitfall Harry touches a foe, he’ll be teleported back to the last checkpoint. This concept may not be a big deal now however back in 1983/4 it certainly was as this time you can actually finish the game! And speaking of which, the game actually has an ending unlike many of the platform games during the early eighties so you can say the game is a revolution.
As far as graphics is concerned, the game is exceptionally colourful and complete. Pitfall Harry’s movement is fluent (similar to the Olympians in Summer Games), the environments vibrant and there’s even the nice flow of the underground stream. However there seems to be some lazy programming for all of Pitfall Harry’s team, especially Quickclaw which remarkably looks like a monkey than a cat.
Definite strong points in Pitfall II are the musical tunes; very catchy and recognisable, there’s an upbeat tune when collecting gold bars/Harry’s team mates, a nice exploration tune when doing-the-rounds and that depressing ‘bombed out’ tune. Yet sadly enough was the lack of general sounds that could improve the game play (e.g. a splash sound when Pitfall Harry’s enters the water or the flapping of the bats). I guess you can’t win them all.
Pitfall II first cavern can be knocked over within 45 minutes on a decent run however cavern two can be a real challenge. Considering there are no quick save option, completing the entire Adventurer’s Edition in one sitting can be a daunting task. To date, I have completed this game only three times. In addition there’s only one level of difficulty therefore the first cavern wouldn’t pose a real challenge yet the second one can be described with one word - brutal.
To increase the challenge, David Crane (the creator of Pitfall I and II) created the ‘Activision Cliffhangers’ club. What this entitles that if you scored 99000 points at the end of the first cavern, take a snapshot of the television screen and post it in, you’ll receive a ‘Cliffhangers’ badge. Naturally I did take the challenge however to date I’m still waiting for my badge. However coming to mind, anyone can play that game and post it in stating it was you that achieved that score - boy times were different back then.
Even though Pitfall II wasn’t as a huge success comparing to Pitfall, personally I thought Pitfall II was far superior in every aspects. Pitfall for me was quite boring as it was restricted by time and in a sense never ends (just like a Duracell battery). Pitfall II on the other hand is more complete; it had a purpose as this created a sense of achievement than just a slugging fest as you will strive to see what the ending acknowledgment would be like. To sums things up, Pitfall II is an action adventure game in its purest sense.