Hocus Pocus

I loved this game as a little kid, and although it shows its age in some respects (simplistic gameplay, sorta lazy level design), its still fun to play and the music is good.

One of the best platformers till this day, the gameplay the animations the music the sound oh god such a good atmospheric game they don't make games like this no more. 10/10

I played this as shareware on DOS (much like Zacron's review, I also was very, very fond of Jill or the Jungle and Jazz Jackrabbit!). I am, generally, terrible at platformers, but this is one of the ones I could play, and enjoyed. That probably means it's more about problem-solving than split-second timing and perfect accuracy on jumps, since those are elements of platformers that tend to really mess me up! Yes, the graphics are dated--but they're still appealing. Yes, the storyline is basically non-existant (the synopsis in the game description confused me, since I really don't remember a plot)--it doesn't really need a plot. Almost certainly not a challenge for hard-core platforming gamers, but an absolutely charming, friendly, interesting game, if you aren't looking for it to be something it's not!

Hocus Pocus is like a strange shoot-em-up/platformer hybrid wherein you play an apprentice magician trying to prove himself by traversing various maze-like castles collecting treasure, keys, flipping switches and collecting the required orbs to finish the level. The game is colourful, challenging, has plenty of secrets and fun gameplay to keep you coming back in short bursts. Pace is good, levels aren't TOO busy or long - they're just right. It's maze-like key-hunting nature coupled with the way you shoot rapid bolts of lightning multi-directionally like a shoot-em-up, lends it a mysterious appeal. That leads to one of it's problems: Identity. it's Neither true platformer; it lacks weighty jumps, nor shooter. More like 'side-scrolling gauntlet' - not necessarily a bad thing tho'. Also, the game could be re-skinned with you as a space man with a laser gun. It feels very 'kit-built' like it could originally have been something else. Still contains Apogees' love of unavoidable spikes, too. Art style is uninspired, also. All that said, the rest is great. It's hard not to like, and simply has this unfathomable charm. It is fun, basically.

Ah, the memories! I remember playing this as a kid on my Pentium 1-powered desktop for hours on end and I only had the shareware version (I think it came on a floppy disk with an issue of computer-related magazine). I just loved the scenery (especially this one level where you could see a cobalt-blue sky with a full moon) and the laid-back gameplay (I don't recall it being difficult, but then I played it on 'easy'). It just popped into my head the other day and I couldn't recall its name, but a little bit of googling (actually, 2 minutes) pointed me in the right direction. I don't think I would buy it now though because I probably won't enjoy playing it, which would ruin those memories.