Sign of the Hedgehog 2

Sign of the Hedgehog 2

Release type: Retail
Release date: N/A (begun in 1993)
Levels: 17
Author: A-J Games
Retail price: $40 (with Sign of the Hedgehog)
Related games: Sign of the Hedgehog

Sign of the Hedgehog was successful enough in my mind to warrant a sequel. I had promised one to registered users, and I figured that this time I would finally get a few orders. The orders never came, I got distracted by other projects, and the game never took shape.

To be precise, Sign of the Hedgehog 2 took a very general shape but I never bothered to whittle it down. As a result I have a slightly amended concept — this time Hedrick is collecting scones instead of crumpets; he now can toss crumpets like a Frisbee — and a new map screen, decorated with a poorly designed first level. To change things up, the map is now side-scrolling rather than an overhead view. You can tootle around the map all that you like, but there is nowhere to go.

One advantage to the side-scrolling map is that it does give a sense of scale and adventure. Compared to the earlier bird’s eye view, you can judge how far Hedrick has traveled and what he went through to get there. I guess you could say it’s more subjective.

So far as I can tell, the one working level was more of a test than a real finished design. It consists of clear blocks against a night sky, presumably because I so enjoyed the clear blocks in the Commander Keen games. It was an easy visual effect, and it looked cool. Beyond that it had no purpose.

Already you can see my sensibility devolving, in several respects. But it would disintegrate much further.

- EJR Tairne

Instructions

Scouring for scones in Sign of the Hedgehog 2

Left, Right: Walk those ways

Up: Jump upwards

Up-Left, Up-Right: Jump those ways

Down: Duck

Down-Right, Down-Left: Roll those ways

+: Pick up

G, H: Pour tea to the left, right

T, Y: Blow steam to the left, right

[SPACE]: Toss crumpet

Credits

Graphics, Sound, Design: Aderack

Testing: M.O.S.H.

Game Engine: Recreational Software Designs

Archive history

Sign of the Hedgehog 2 was retained as part of the archive from the game's inception.

Links

• Play Sign of the Hedgehog 2 online