The Lion King for SNES is a game that many Disney fans were excited about when it was first released. The game’s graphics and sound immediately draw players in, but it soon becomes clear that the level design is the game’s Achilles heel.
The game follows the story of the Lion King movie and turns various movie moments into full-blown stages. The environments in the game are quite interesting, and it’s exciting to see Simba explore different areas. Story-wise, the game does an adequate job.
The gameplay, however, is where the game falls apart. The game is primarily a 2D platformer, with players taking control of Simba as a child and an adult. Simba feels good to control, especially in the first level, but things start to go downhill from the second level onwards.
The second level of the game starts off normally, with Simba moving through a platforming section and solving puzzles with various monkeys. However, halfway through the level, Simba is required to ride an animal and jump and duck various obstacles, which quickly becomes frustrating. While the game provides arrows to guide players on how to approach obstacles, there is one jump towards the end of this section where players need to do a double jump, and getting the timing right is extremely difficult. The game does not provide any feedback or indication of what the player is doing wrong, which leads to cheap deaths and extreme frustration.
The next section involves swinging on hippo’s tails, which also requires precise timing to get through. This section was also needlessly frustrating and didn’t add anything enjoyable to the gameplay. The following section involves riding an animal, but this time, the game does not provide any arrows, which means players need to trial and error their way through the level, making it the most frustrating section of the game.
Later levels have similar issues, with the game’s awful level design forcing players to use trial and error tactics to get through levels. The game feels artificially hard and never gives players a chance to feel like they died due to a lack of skill.
In terms of graphics and sound, The Lion King is top-notch. The game looks like a 16-bit Lion King game, with vibrant colors and big, detailed sprites. The levels look like they are taken straight out of the movies, and the game features a couple of scenes taken from the movie, adding a cinematic tone to the game. The music is excellent, and the game’s sound effects are also impressive.
In summary, The Lion King for SNES is a game that has a lot of potential but fails to deliver. The game’s graphics and sound are impressive and beautifully capture the essence of the movie. However, the gameplay is frustrating and poorly executed, removing the overall experience.
The game’s levels often require players to use trial and error tactics to get through, which leads to cheap deaths and extreme frustration. While the game’s first level is enjoyable, the rest of the game feels artificially hard and never gives players a chance to feel like they died due to a lack of skill. The game’s awful level design makes it an absolute torture to play, which is a shame given the potential of the source material.
Despite its flaws, The Lion King is a game that is worth playing for its graphics and sound alone. However, players should be prepared for a frustrating experience far from the enjoyable game that could have been. While the game has its moments, the frustrating level design and lack of enjoyment make it a game that is difficult to recommend.
Summary
The Lion King is a beautifully designed SNES game that is let down by its terrible level design. This retro video game review delves into the gameplay, graphics, and sound, and why it fails to deliver a satisfying experience for players.
