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Written: 12.5.06
Acquired: 9.1.06
Status: CIB
Price: $20

Publisher: EnixReleased: 9.29.95
Developer: DaftScarcity: 3


AKA Hamelin no Violin Tamaki, Violinist of Hamelin and Hamel the P-I-M-P





Based off the anime/manga, your task is to guide a young female (named Flute) safely to the
exit of each stage. You control the violinist -- Hamel. It's an action/adventure game with puzzle
elements, so it's definitely not your average run-of-the-mill platformer. The way you interact with
Flute is a riot, as you'll see...









Just like in
Nangoku Papuwa-kun,
push that block to create a make
shift bridge






                         Don't ask why, but Flute can
                         morph into one of 16 different
                         things!  Provided, of course,
                         you locate the proper icon first.
                         Certain sections require certain
                         transformations. It's all about
                         teamwork. As said earlier, this
                         isn't your everyday mindless
                         platformer!



Flute follows you unless you press X to deactivate her. She'll stand still until you press X again







The interaction between Hamel,
Flute and the level design is really
what makes the game work so well.
You can stand on her head, pick her
up and carry her around, or even toss
her like a cannon ball onto enemies
or impeding brick walls!



Flute's expressions are priceless... don't worry this doesn't hurt her one iota....



A look at the first set of levels then:



FOREST DAYTIME



Press "A" to unleash your deadly musical notes



Sometimes you gotta hurl Flute, other times a bomb is provided







Ole Gator Face requires
two hits before succumbing

[WHOA EASY THERE
TIGER... -Ed.]


*sigh*










                                             






                                                                                           1st icon hoo-rah!

















You're not Carl Lewis!  What to do?



That's right, you hit 'START' and locate the proper transformation for the job. You only have 1 at this point, so it's pretty obvious what's needed here









 







                                                                     Press X at any time to change it back to Flute



Oooooh







FOREST EVENING















Duck those thorns and grab the 1-UP










                              






                                                                                     2nd icon you'll find is a frog

















There's the little sucker



This level is one of my favorites. Just the aura of it is off the charts, and very reminiscent of DoReMi Fantasy's 1st world in the forest with the lifts. Once on the platform, shoot the spindle
to carry the two of you gently across



Game has EXCELLENT music too, adding nicely to the atmosphere

















Remember, it's either you or them







BONUS ROUND

If you collect enough stars throughout the levels you're treated to a little bonus game
















No Mario 3 influences whatsoever...







THE CASTLE
















DUN DUN DUN!



Those flames can be tricky



Right off the bat here, you collect your 3rd transformation icon. It's a robot that can smash any wall



"But you promised me there'd be NO bats, you lying bastard!!!!"



Best to carry her across the flame dripping bits. Relying on the "follow" command is not wise in such cases (she's a bit of a ditz y'know)








Like CASTLEVANIA's red
skeletons... that yellow
bugger there cannot be
permanently disposed of










                               






                                                                                       SNAKES IN A CASTLE!!







A PUZZLE, A MISSING KEY AND A HUMAN DART

As mentioned, puzzles play a part in the game. Here's a neat little one within the castle walls









Hmmmm, I gotta get to the
top somehow... first, select
the robot transformation...









                                                            







                                                                                                      Sweet






Now, position Flute on the little
switch and deactivate her so
she won't move from that spot.
By standing on the switch, the
block up top disappears. Now
fire a note at the crystal ball,
which results in dropping the
door. Ahhh








                          Once you get to higher ground
                          press "X" again to call Flute,
                          and she'll properly climb the
                          ladder. HURRAH! We're home
                          free now....

















[.... NOT!  -Borat]









        







                                                                               "Sorry toots... you know what it be"









Kill the snake, grab the key,
the new icon (not visible here)
and go!










                       






                                                                                 Fourth transformation on display







CLOSING THOUGHTS

This was one of those SFC games I heard people raving about (much like Magical Pop'n and Majyuuou) before I discovered it myself. Some of these games don't live up to the hype generated through the masses

This one did

If you love action/adventure SNES games and you don't own this, you're nuts