Developer: Nova Co. Publisher: Namco Release: 1992 Genre: Platformer
I have always been both fascinated and jealous of games from Japan that release in Europe but skip the US. It stands to reason that if the game is already in English why not cover both markets? The US missed out on many gems like Terranigma, Pop ‘n Twinbee, and Parodius. One such game you will not hear many speak of is Whirlo, a deceptively cute platformer that will kick your ass left and right. There are many good elements in Whirlo but it is a frustrating experience that I would struggle to recommend.
Whirlo is a spinoff of Namco’s Valkyrie series and stars Xandra, Valkyrie’s sidekick. Though technically the third in the series chronologically it is the first. In the country of Zandraland a mysterious plague has swept the country. Unfortunately Xandra’s son is afflicted and he sets out to find a cure.
Unlike the Valkyrie Whirlo is a side-scrolling platformer. In many ways it resembles DuckTales. Whirlo has a trident to stab and bludgeon enemies in multiple ways. Aside from a straightforward jab you can jam them from above and bounce off their heads Scrooge McDuck style. You also have a spinning attack which more than likely inspired the game’s European name. Although he doesn’t look it Whirlo is pretty nimble on his feet with a variety of jumping techniques. The short hop can cross platforms quickly and you charge up for a larger power jump. The last technique is a whirlwind that doubles as an offensive maneuver and a means to destroy obstacles.
The mechanics are sound however the controls are not. Whirlo feels sluggish to control and his various jump maneuvers never seem to activate on command. You can super jump to varying heights and despite putting a lot of time in to the game it never felt natural. Even the simple hop has input delay which is annoying. The game has other quirks that are frustrating due to its focus on realism. Attempt a downward stab and miss and your trident will stick in the ground and you must wait a few seconds to pull it out. Fall too far and Whirlo will be stunned. The whirlwind attack also comes with its own drawback. If you miss Whirlo will bounce a few times after hitting the ground and be dazed. In any other game I could appreciate these small touches. However they make an already tough game more difficult.
Whirlo is a surprisingly difficult game and one of the tougher platformers for the SNES. You can take a single hit before death which feels unfair. Even worse death sends you back to the beginning of the current level. With all of the quirks I have mentioned you will suffer far too many cheap deaths at every turn. The game frequently calls on tight platforming that its controls cannot provide. The touchy jump commands were a never ending source of frustration during my play through and something I am baffled made it to release. Even with all of the game’s oddities all it would have taken is a small life bar to ease the frustration. As is the game is a long series of trial and error that eventually takes its toll and becomes a chore rather than fun.
I wish the controls and mechanics were tighter as there is a lot to like about Whirlo. This is a lengthy adventure and it is more varied than most platformers. Each new land has its own problems that you must help solve to progress. In most cases you have no choice but sometimes you have the option to help someone or leave them behind and your choices have repercussions. It is a subtle nod to the prior game’s RPGish roots. The decisions you make will lead to one of numerous endings that give the game replay value. How willing you are to replay the game is a different story. When the game does not get in its own way it is thrilling. It has the kinds of platforming challenges that make games great. But its sloppy mechanics ruin that and spoil the fun.
In Closing
I like Whirlo in spite of its flaws. But do I like it enough to recommend it? I would say no. Despite the variety of content you will have to overlook a lot of rough edges to enjoy this one. Whether it is worth it is a personal choice. I do not regret the time I spent with Whirlo but do not think I will ever revisit it either.
