He made his first appearance in Elroy Goes Bugzerk, searching for an fantastical insect called the Technoloptera, needed to win the Annual Big City Insectathon.
Now, in his second adventure, he's still in Big City, but up against an evil band of thugs. Our hero is once again joined by his trusty hound dog Blue, a former top tracker for the FBI, but he also has a new friend, a girl named Syd, his resourceful partner for a science project.
Elroy has noticed that Blue doesn't have his old vim and vigor, so he and Syd are working on an invention called the Canine Revitalizer, designed to turn even the most sluggish of pets into the ultimate companion. Trouble starts, however, when the thugs steal Blue, then swipe the Revitalizer. But if Syd and Elroy don't hand their project in on time, they'll end up in-horror of horror-summer school!
Elroy's target audience is ages 8-12, but the disk is both tricky and funny enough that adults asked to help out will probably end up shoving kids out of their chairs and yelling, "Scram!" Wired magazine explains the appeal well by calling Elroy "a '90s multimedia Rocky and Bullwinkle." Elroy definitely has attitude and edge, as well as puns galore (check out, for instance, the rap sheet for Clint Beastwood).
Headbone has deftly overcome the obstacle facing all multimedia producers--finding a way to combine the elements needed for both good storytelling and exciting role-playing. In many CD-ROMs, the so-called plot is merely a flimsy excuse to have players solve puzzles. Not so here-the story moves right along-there's more animation than a feature length film.
As for interaction: there are puzzles to solve, codes to crack, a maze through the thugs' headquarters, quizzes, even a few scientific principles to put to use. To help Elroy dig an important tunnel, an almost-completed gizmo called the Rock Crusher 200 must be powered up, which involves fixing a battery, gears, laser, fuel and ignition. Watch for clues everywhere, and take plenty of notes. Anyone needing to beef up observation skills will get excellent practice.
In addition to the introductory animation, Elroy includes 10 segments of scenes and challenges, each requiring a solution before one may proceed to the next. Goof and the game is up-off to summer school. Because of this title's sophistication, many young players will find it frustrating-part of the reason it's so appealing to adults. One new addition helps ease the problem for players of all ages: a system of hints, several for each topic. Even moms and dads will probably need to peek from time to time--although the short instruction booklet urges players to resist temptation and use their noggins.
Several familiar characters reappear in this second adventure, adding a nice touch of continuity between Elroy's escapades. At one point the Technoloptera comes to the rescue, while Elroy's nemesis, Gordon Smugs, continues to plague him.
I liked Elroy Goes Bugzerk tremendously, but I like Elroy Hits the Pavement even more. Elroy II has even more vitality, variety and verve.
As for victory, you're apt to find it elusive. Get busy and keep trying.
Alice Cary is a freelance writer and mother of two-year-old Will. She lives in Groton, MA and can be reached at alice_cary@bookpage.com.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.