Potsworth & Co

Another platformer? Yawn, let's check it out...

Potsworth & Co is a cutesy platformer developed by Ben Walshaw for Hi-Tec Software (1992) and is based on a Hanna-Barbera cartoon series (which I'd never heard of before). I've only just learnt that Potsworth is a dog who happens to have a group of kiddy mates known as The Midnight Patrol (sounds a bit lame!).

So, the story is this: a group of neighbourhood children and their dog enter a magical dream world whenever they fall asleep. Operating as a superhero team called the Midnight Patrol, they are guided by the wise Grand Dozer as they defend this realm from the malicious Nightmare Prince, who seeks to turn dreams into terrifying nightmares. Yeah, it sounds weird? You betcha! But I think you're gonna love it.

Let's take a break for the first screenshot...

Each level is different and features other characters, each with their own skills.

Developers who care!

Potsworth & Co offers a style similar to Doodlebug or Magic Boy, but don't let the comical visuals trick you; this game is challenging. Each world features many hazards and, of course, a wide range of baddies who walk back and forth aimlessly, doing their best to make life troublesome. There are also puzzles, but these won't stump you; it's more like moving a block onto a switch panel (or a teddy bear!).

Different members of the Midnight Patrol are controlled on each level, and each has unique abilities. In the first, we are a stroppy girl who begins underground in a place Rick Dangerous would love:

• Rosie - Uses powerful sound blasts against enemies!.
• Nick - The strongman of the group, able to lift and throw objects.
• Potsworth - Relies on straightforward platforming and has no special powers.
• Carter - Can draw useful platforms that appear within the level, helping him overcome obstacles and reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
• Keiko - Travels on a flying skateboard firing projectiles in her wake.

This isn't an easy-to-pick-up-and-play platformer, if I'm honest. I think it has a testing learning curve thanks to a difficulty level famous throughout the 8 and 16-bit era. Personally, I think a lot more lives should have been given by default, and some parts of the later levels are quite irritating. But all this is solved by having more lives or (cough) a trainer, which means you can then enjoy this game fully.

The joystick controls are superbly responsive, making exploration a breeze without sluggishness. When you move onto a new level, the game changes your character, which is unusual. I especially liked the third world, where we play as a dog in a candy land - this is bursting with cool mechanics and is brilliant.

Let's see a screenshot of that stroppy-looking girl level I mentioned...

No lame port here, but there are... walking guns in this Ricky Dangerous level!

Model looks!

The visuals are stunning, and it certainly proves what a developer can do when they care about their product. This looks the business, alright, and feels quite console-y with fantastic environments, awesome sprites, and bundles of colour throughout each and every level. The scrolling is both fast and fluent, which means we're being treated, rather than enduring a jerky, lame Amiga port. Amazing, just amazing.

Sadly, the audio is the mirror opposite of those lovely pixels and appears to be an afterthought. There are only a few spot sound effects and, even worse, no background chiptune, which would have been perfect. Oh, and don't even ask about a title theme. That is absolutely terrible and should be skipped - quickly!!

So much effort went into the gameplay and visuals, yet hardly anything for the audio. Weird...

Another new level and another different character to master.

The CryptO'pinion?

This is superb and provides a fantastic venture through several interesting worlds. Each is a vibrant and charming experience and, not only that, but a testament to the power of the Atari ST when in the hands of a talented programmer. Prepare thyself for a game that is as challenging as it is beautiful.

This is one of the best platformers there is. I've loved every second with The Midnight Patrol. If I can pass on a piece of advice, it would be this: Don't be a knob and download this game right now. There ya go.

Downloads for floppy disk & hard drive.