S.O.S. Sink or Swim for SNES

Image: MobyGames

S.O.S. Sink or Swim

Sink

Genre: puzzle - platform

Publisher: Titus

Year: 1994

System: SNES

Gameplay Score: 2

Gameplay Notes:

Plays like Krusty's Fun House with you guiding a stream of mindless idiots to an exit before finding your own. This one feels more difficult than Krusty or the MegaDrive version, partly due to the faster speed and slightly worse controls. I much prefer the MD version. There are only three buttons - jump, interact, and bomb. The bomb was used in stage one but then never used in the next 7 levels. Unclear what can be bombed or interacted with. It's a game of trial and error. Once error conditions have been missed the level automatically ends so you often don't have time to explore to work out the solution. Requires precision platforming but the controls aren't up to the task. Prepare to die a lot. I guess that's why then game is called Sink or Swim.

Level Design Score: 2

Level Design Notes:

Basically the only way to finish any level is to know exactly what needs to be done. So you not only need to have the level memorized but you also need flawless execution. There is no trial and error or time to think - you have to do it perfectly. The levels themselves are well designed but the learning curve is steep. The MD version has much better designed stages, even if some are shared between the two games. I got to level 6 or 7 and got stuck. No idea how to finish the stage with air vents which kill the sailors within a few seconds.

Theme Score: 2

Theme Notes:

You're a scuba guy. Actually you're Scuba Steve from Big Daddy and you ride in a yellow submarine, like The Beatles. Your job is to rescue idiots on a sinking cruise ship, ala The Poseidon Adventure. So yeah, there are a whole bunch of very dated pop culture references in this one. Oh and you look like Leisure Suit Larry. Oy

Art Style Score: 2

Art Style Notes:

Typical Amiga-looking graphics. Everything is way too busy with a bunch of unnecessary animation. Hard to distinguish platforms and hazards and items to interact with. The artwork itself is wall drawn but unattractive.

Audio Score: 4

Audio Notes:

I liked the music. There seems to be a good variety of tracks with interesting composition. The sounds are thoroughly unimpressive.

Overall Score: 44

Review ID: 479