Creature born from the imagination of Franquin in the comic strip Spirou and the heirs in 1952, the Marsupilami had to wait until the end of the 80s to become a character in its own right and in turn benefit from a comic strip which was entirely devoted to it. . In a few years, the popularity of Marsupilami is such that SEGA decides to launch in 1995 a video game adaptation on its Mega Drive, with the good care of Apache Software in development. The English studio arrives with an interesting pitch: mix platform and gameplay taken from the Lemmings, since our Marsupilami must guide his elephant friend through levels strewn with obstacles. Thanks to its prehensile tail and the powers obtained by collecting items on the road, the Marsupilami can, for example, form a staircase to pass its trunk companion, create a rope to hoist it on a platform or even create a shelter in case of rockfall. For its big comeback in video games twenty-six years after its debut, Franquin's creature abandons the strategic guide side of the Lemmings to focus on pure and hard platforming. And to be sure to hit the bullseye, the designers decided to draw inspiration from big names, and in particular a certain Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.
HOUBA HURRAY
Exit SEGA and Apache Software, in 2021, it is the French who manage the comeback of Marsupilami on PC and consoles. Indeed, it is Microids and the Ocellus studio which have joined forces to offer a more lively gameplay than the 1995 game. If Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country Returns undoubtedly served as inspiration, we find all the mechanics inherent to the usual platformers. Our three Marsupilami involved can run, jump, bounce on certain walls, cling to defined attachment points, swipe their tails, all with the aim of completing the level by collecting the most items. on his way. It is even possible by tapping on the appropriate button to get into a ball to sprint and suddenly go even faster, a little Sonic does in his eponymous games. It would also have been better to hold the button rather than hammering it, at least for common sense. By going to pick up mechanics here and there, Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus takes no risks, it is true, but suddenly offers effective and above all immediately understandable gameplay. We sail on familiar ground and we go through the levels with a certain pleasure. If it is true that the title is above all intended for a younger audience, the most experienced players will also have a good time, especially since three degrees of difficulty make it possible to increase the challenge, especially if you are keen on high scores. This is all the more true since Marsupilami: The Secret of the Sarcophagus is also full of hidden bonuses and other secret rooms that allow you to recover additional bonuses for completionists.
