Wardner

Your world is cast down into utter tyranny and destruction. Guess what? You are the only one that can halt this cataclysmic display of power before all of your homeland is gone forever.

Wardner is the first offering from brand new Sega Genesis licensee, Mentrix Software. Expect mote good things to follow. This game is an action/adventure winner with good-looking, cartoon-style graphics, action-packed gameplay, and great sounds, too.

You might have seen Wardner wandering around the arcades. In coin cruncher clothing it's called Pyros. The Mentrix version is identical.

But if you aren't into hanging out at the arcades, then you'll want to know that in this hot, side-scrolling video quest you are a little guy named Dover. You crouch, jump, and toss fireballs all the way through six levels of hideous monsters to save your girlfriend, Mia, from the clutches of the evil Wardner!

Close Encounters

Your journey begins near the Deadly Swamp and eventually takes you to the Wardner's Forest, the Wardner's Mansion, Castle Maze, the Tower, and the Underground Passageways. Along the way you'll pull some swift moves as you climb vines, jump over molten lava swamps, leap fire pits, and dance by sliding, pinwheel-like sawblades. But hurry, there's a time limit for each level.

Most of the Wardner's nameless hordes are tough to fight, but they're even tougher to describe. They look slick, but you've got to see them yourself. For instance, flying skulls, big birds, and headless zombies are easy to recognize, but then you run into little hooded guys with beady eyes, round creatures that are all eyes and legs, and, well, you get the picture (we hope). Beat them and they drop gold coins, which you can cash in for potent stuff later on.

To protect yourself from the creepy crawlies you pitch fireballs. You can also beef up your firepower, buy potent items, and make friends with a cute little Fairy to help you along your journey. The Fairy lowers the boom on evil beings who are close by. She'll also absorb their blasts if she's in the correct position.

At the end of each level, you have to fight a Ward (a boss) before you can go forward. The Wards are a monstrous motley crew that tosses some unusual tricks at you. They are the Emerald Dragon, Kaja, the Fire Dragon, Tagoum, Grocko, and finally the evil Wardner himself.

Shop 'Til You Drop

If you defeat the Ward, you can enter a shop where you can spend your gold coins on power ups and other helpful items. The shop sells three types of magic power ups to heat up your fire balls. You can also buy a Magical Cape, Needle and Thread, or a Clock. The Magical Cape protects you against one hit from a Wardner creature as does the Needle and Thread. Buy both to get two free hits. The Clock gives you an extra 30 seconds to finish the next level.

The Doctor's Prognosis

Wardner is a challenging game that's fun and easy to play. The graphics are good and the soundtrack's great!

You'll work steadily through the early levels, but later you'll run into stiff competition. Every level tosses new traps, obstacles, and creatures at you, but you'll still be eager to see what's around the corner. Seven continues give you a good chance to make the turn. This game is top notch! We only have one question: What's a "Wardner?"