S.O.S. Sink or Swim

If you can remember a time when you could buy a semi-detached in Knightsbridge for two loaves of bread or a BMW 7 series for a bunch of grapes, then you can probably remember Sink Or Swim. Its original blend of action and strategy had reviewers everywhere scrambling for their thesaurus' as, apparently, there weren't enough adjectives to describe it. The Amiga – for that is where it debuted – hadn't seen anything quite like it. But, then, quicker than you could say 'the Titanic' it had sunk and, was seemingly, never going to get a chance to swim again. That is, until now. Because next month Sink Or Swim will be back and hoping to make the same impression on SNES owners as it did on Amiga owners all those years ago.

There's no doubting, though, that Sink Or Swim is a strange choice of game to release on the SNES. Not only is it older than Chris' jokes but whilst it was away, puzzlers such as Bust-A-Move, Lemmings 2 and Hebereke's Popoon moved in and hugely impressed games-players everywhere. How will Sink Or Swim stand up against its – let's be honest – newer and shinier counterparts?

The second curious thing is that the graphics don't seem to have a updated at all. They are still a very Amiga-esque mix of blocks, gaudy colours and chunky sprites. And considering that, in recent months, we've been treated to such graphically wondrous games as DKC, Earthworm Jim and Killer Instinct, that would seem a curious thing to overlook.

Lastly, will it be able to stand up as a game in its own right? Sure, three years ago it was an excitingly new concept but, now, games such as Bust-A-Move and Hebereke's Popoon have taken puzzlers a stage further and introduced two-player modes and laid down a completely different set of goals. Well, these are questions that can't be answered by playing a preview version. But, certainly, Sink Or Swim seems to have lost none of its old magic. It's still fun to play and, although, it struggles in the graphics department – Titus, themselves, will probably admit that much – gameplay is where it counts and Sink Or Swim seems to have it in abundance.

Basically, the object of the game is to use the main character – a diver – to save groups of civilians from drowning in gradually sinking levels. You go about this by utilising objects dotted about the screen. For example, on one of the levels, breathing apparatus are attached to walls about the level and as the civilians start rising to the top of the screen with the water, you have to release the breathing apparatus so that they don't drown and can then escape. Needless to say, it is more difficult in practice than it sounds in words.

Sink Or Swim should be with us this time next month so we're all popping down to the local swimming pool to get in a bit of practice. You should probably do the same. If you like. Or you could just not bother and wait until the game comes out.

In this imaginative adventure game, you're practically a cast member in The Poseidon Adventure. Part action and part puzzler, the challenge here is to find your way out of the ship as well as rescue other survivors.

Also picked up by Vic Tokai is another rather intriguing title that is reminiscent of Prince of Persia. Originally titled Septentrion, S.O.S. casts you as one of the crew members aboard the giant cruise ship, Britania. As you are mindlessly doing your job, a warning is issued to the cruise liner to go to bay and not to press on in their present course. Unfortunately, the captain of the ship does not comply with the orders and shoves onward anyway. Due to the carelessness of the captain, the ship is overturned by a tsunami, causing many people to lose their lives as they are mercilessly tossed about the ship's hallways and rooms. You somehow manage to survive the capsizing, and now must try to radio out for help and get all the crew and passengers together so that they can be rescued. There are many other dangers that you have to face, like falling from dizzying heights to the floor, er... the ceiling in this case. Also, many people will be suffering from shock - and may react negatively to your immediate presence and concern for their safety. Well, that does it for the story, so now it's on to the play mechanics behind this unique title!

The levels are extremely unique - with a whole ship completely overturned, so the doors are up toward the ceiling and stairs are very hard to climb when you are under them.

Sometimes, the whole ship may rock to and fro, using rotation features of the Super NES. But just in case your bearings get seriously screwed up - you have a map that you can select to see just where the heck you are heading.

You are capable of flipping the map upside down, 45 degrees on an angle and even zoom in onto different areas to see what lies ahead of you. The way to read this map is that basically there is a marker for you and there is a funny little red light symbolizing the destination or goal that you are trying to obtain. Along the way, passengers will be screaming in terror and you must reassure them that everything is under control, all while jumping gaps in the floors and climbing shafts and avoiding getting flooded in by a sudden pressure burst of water from outside. Many other perils will come your way as you traverse the reverse of this giant luxury liner. This is definitely one of the most original titles around and should really provide for those players looking for a little diversity.

The Lady Crithania is a wonderful luxury cruise ship. But when a storm overtakes her, all on board are pitched into utter chaos. Choose from four different men and try to escape. Each of the people has its own skills. Along the way you will find other survivors, and by chance, they might join you. When a giant wave hits, the entire ship is turned upside-down. You have approximately one hour to escape death beneath the waves. Adding to the danger, the ship rolls beneath the waters, tossing furniture about. After a half hour, the ship will crack open, allowing water to flood the passageways. Can you escape? Will you find the way, and brave the dangers of the deep? S.O.S. will be your test...

A unique adventure game using the plot right out of The Poseidon Adventure. Get out of a passenger ship that has turned upside-down. Here you must use precise abilities other than kicking, jumping, and punching.

As a liner sinks, panicked passengers immediately run right into danger. In Sink or Swim, you guide these dimwits to safety before they drown. This mildly entertaining puzzler presents increasingly difficult obstacles that you must overcome, including open holes that the passengers fall into. You manipulate bombs, conveyors belts, hoists, and dinghies to effect rescues. Smooth controls enable you to regularly beat the clock.

The stiff cartoony sprites might remind you of Bomber- man, while the colorful backgrounds resemble those in many other decent SNES games. Comical voices spice up the average music.

Sink or Swim lacks head-to- head competition, but its cute puzzles might keep novices playing to the end. Veterans, however, may soon jump ship.