Dino Hunt
Release type: Shareware
Release date: August 17, 1993
Levels: 5
Author: Sherwood Forest
Registration bonus: Two free games + current catalog
Registration price: $15
Related games: none
Structure has never been a strength for Rob Sherwood and Dan Whalen. Within a level there is rarely much, if any, guidance; from one level to the next there is rarely a sense of logical progress. All five levels of Dino Hunt are exactly the same, save some monster placement. The entrances and exits are obscure, making any forward development arbitrary and unrewarding.
From moment to moment, though, the game is crunchy and satisfying. The protagonist Nicky Neanderthal animates well, and his spears land with a satisfying "chernk"; upon death, dinosaurs spout a stone-chiseled score popup. The palette is muted and subtle, reminiscent of an early Seibu Kaihatsu game. The levels are riddled with rivers, bridges, paths, and forests, that all seem to be leading somewhere. Until you explore a little it really feels like anything could be around the next bend in the scenery.
So in reality there's little to find, and little reward for finding it. At least the game is fun to play for a while. You've got dinosaurs, you've got a caveman, and you've got straightforward violent arcade action. It's kind of hard, and as with a certain pedigree of arcade game (say, Ikari Warriors) the player will probably die before the limits to the situation become obvious.
Dino Hunt is simple, and focused very well on its basic premise: forging a violent path through dinosaur-infested wilderness. All the game really needs is some solid and distinctive level design -- using the existing background and monster elements, even -- and we've got a really neat arcade action game. As it is, Dino Hunt displays a bunch of potential.
Story
In Dino Hunt you are Nicky Neanderthal, dino hunter par excellence.
You are the one who has evolved enough to take your spear in hand and travel the land in your pursuit of the dinosaurs, in this prehistoric paradise.
Instructions
The idea behind dino hunt is to make it back to your cave after successfully hunting the dinosaurs that inhabit the area where you live.
You move your caveman around the screen shooting the big dinosaurs that you meet up with.
Yo move your man, use the 4 main arrow keys, or the joystick. you can move through the grass, and the dirt, but not through the water or the trees.
To shoot a spear move in the direction of the target, and then press the spacebar. You will launch a spear in that direction.
Entering your cave will put you in the next level, where the monsters are faster, and more plentiful.
Credits
Dino Hunt is a production of Sherwood Forest Software. It has been produced, directed, drawn, thought up, sweated over, choreographed, written, marketed, and play tested by Rob Sherwood. Of course I am the president of the company so I guess I had to do all of that.
Availability
Available on several shareware compilation CD-ROMs, including:
- Beachware's 1000 Games for Windows and DOS (November 1995),
- Softkey Entertainment Pack (1996), and
- International Software Values' 10 Tons of Games Mega Collection 1 (June 1997).
Links
Downloads
- Dino Hunt (129.2 kB)
- Level 1 map (326.9 kB)
- Level 2 map (328.0 kB)
- Level 3 map (335.4 kB)
- Level 4 map (332.9 kB)
- Level 5 map (338.1 kB)
