A long time ago (in the gaming world anyway) there was a computer system called the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and for this system there existed a game called Sabre Wulf. It was made by a company named Ultimate (known today as Rare). Well, Sabre Wulf has made its return after all these years, on the Game Boy Advance. Rare has crafted a fun platformer that will appeal to fans of both puzzle and action games.

The story goes as such: The evil Dr. Dolittle-goode has shattered the Sabrewulf amulet, thus releasing the dreaded beast Sabrewulf. Dolittle-goode’s timing couldn’t have been worse though, because at that very moment Sabreman happened to be in town. So, the townsfolk appeal to Sabreman for his help. The stuffy old Englishman agrees to seek out the eight amulet pieces, and the adventure begins.

This exposition is really all that’s required, as Sabre Wulf doesn’t focus on it much. The title is much more concerned with its gameplay than the goings-on of some imaginary world. That’s not to say there isn’t a story, because there certainly is, and it’s rife with Rare’s signature twisted humor and witty dialogue. Gameplay is at the heart of this game though. It’s designed with a multitude of levels, all connected via an overworld map. The Sabrewulf’s caves appear around this map, and Sabreman enters them to start a level.

The game’s levels have a double design. The first goal of each is to get to the end and snag the treasure. Then the Sabrewulf will wake up, and the second half of the level begins. To complete the level, Sabreman must outrun the Wulf in a hair-raising chase back to his camp the start of the level. This may sound like it makes the gameplay and level design repetitive, but that is not the case, thanks to the way it’s all handled.

On the way to the treasure, the path is wrought with peril. There are enemies scattered all over the place just waiting to make Sabreman their next prey. It would be quite odd to see an old mustached hero taking on ferocious monsters, so instead he calls upon the help of various creatures of his own. This gives the game a puzzle solving element. Sabreman must use the creatures in his (limited) possession to exterminate or evade the ones out to get him. This gameplay style keeps the game from feeling like the various other offerings in the crowded platforming genre.

Unfortunately, it also presents a slight problem. There are times when acting fast is key to survival, and while the creature menu is open the gameplay keeps going. Sabreman is wide open to an attack while scrolling through his menagerie of helpers. The game would play out much better if the action paused while picking an animal to use.

With that said, these time critical moments don’t show up all too often, and as such, the gameplay is solid and quite fun throughout most of the adventure. It will take a while to become accustomed to which animals are useful in which situations, but everything becomes easier with experience. To keep things fresh, Sabreman discovers a new animal every now and then to expand the gameplay.

Upon reaching the treasure (which will be one of three colors worth a certain point value: gold, silver, or bronze, depending on how fast Sabreman gets there) at the Sabrewulf’s cave, things take a turn. The game switches from a puzzle platformer to an all out race against death. Sabreman must high-tail it back to his camp at the start of the level while the Wulf is hot on his tail. This would be impossibly hard with all of the enemies in place, so they are all vanquished instantly when the Sabrewulf wakes up and lets out his deafening howl. The sprint back to the start makes for some very fast and furious gameplay, and often ends with the Wulf so close behind Sabreman he could drool on the aging explorer.

All of this gameplay is wrapped into a tight little package of good graphics and sound. The game uses the same ACM style sprites fans of Rare games have seen in their prior efforts, such as Donkey Kong Country. Unfortunately, much like in the Game Boy Advance conversions of the DKC series, the characters and backgrounds come off slightly muddy on the GBA’s small screen (the game looks a good deal better on a TV screen via Game Boy Player). The sound plays out wonderfully with some catchy tunes and hilarious voice acting. Sabreman sports a number of classic phrases such as, “Gently, Bently!” and “For the Empire, wut!”. The characters (including Sabreman) speak mindless babble during actual conversation, which is instead transcribed on the bottom of the screen.

All-in-all, Sabre Wulf is quite a lot of fun. The campy style and core platforming action come together to create an adventure full of excitement. The challenge ramps up quite nicely as well. Fans of platforming action are sure to enjoy the fast-paced chases back to camp while those who enjoy a “thinking man’s platformer” will find delight in figuring out how to get to each level’s treasure. There’s a challenge mode to expand the adventure too. The game is also available at many retail outlets for $20, making it all the more appetizing.