Papyrus (video game)

Papyrus
Developer(s)Planet Interactive Development
Publisher(s)Ubisoft
Platform(s)Game Boy Color
ReleaseFebruary 2000
Genre(s)Action, Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Papyrus is a 2000 platform video game developed by Planet Interactive Development and published by Ubisoft for the Game Boy Color. The game is based upon the Belgian comic book series Papyrus by Lucien De Gieter, with the player completing levels set in ancient Egypt as the titular character. Upon release, Papyrus was generally well received by critics, with praise directed to the game's visuals and animations, and criticism to its limited gameplay features and longevity.

Gameplay

A screenshot of Papyrus.

Players are the titular Papyrus, an Egyptian fisherman tasked with rescuing the kidnapped Pharaoh's daughter Theti.[1] The game is a platform video game in which players traverse 21 levels across areas including the Forbidden Forest to the Pharaoh's Tomb, with the objective to reach the exit of the level, defeating a boss at the end of each.[1][2] Players can attack, jump, climb, and hang from objects including vines.[2] The game contains a password save system and an Ubi Key. The Ubi Key is a feature contained in some Ubisoft Game Boy Color titles that allows players to trade unique items found in Ubisoft games to unlock additional content using the infrared link: in Papyrus, this includes a secret level.[2] Completing a level unlocks a second playable character, Theti, who has minor changes to content when replaying levels.[2]

Development

Ubisoft announced Papyrus at the 1999 European Computer Trade Show with the intent of a Europe-only release,[3] and showcased the game at the Cannes Milia trade show in February 2000.[4]

Reception

Reception of Papyrus was generally positive. Tim Jones of IGN praised the game as a "joy to play", highlighting the game's variety of themed levels with "sharp" and "vivid" graphics, "clear and excellently animated" sprites and "fluid, responsive controls". However, Jones felt the game lacked unique gameplay features to distinguish the game from the "endless supply of traditional platformers", although still recommended the title.[2] Describing the game as a "nicely made platformer", Eliot Fish of Hyper praised the game's "top-notch" animation, control and level design and "fun" platforming, although noted "there isn't any great mental challenge".[6] Game Boy Official Magazine praised the graphics as "great", but considered gameplay to only last a "few days play".[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Papyrus". Game Boy Official Magazine. No. 91. April 2000. p. 14.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Jones, Tim (14 June 2000). "Papyrus: A lack of originality threatens to leave this Egyptian platformer well and truly sphinxed". IGN. Ziff Davis, Inc. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  3. ^ "A Bit of Papyrus: Ubi Soft has a Game Boy Color platformer coming, but only for Europe. Check it out in action". IGN. Ziff Davis, Inc. 9 September 1999. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  4. ^ "Ubi Soft at Milia: Want to know what the company will be showing in France for the Game Boy Color? Read it here". IGN. Ziff Davis, Inc. 9 February 2000. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Papyrus". Eurogamer. 26 August 2000.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b Fish, Eliot (December 1999). "Papyrus". Hyper. No. 74. p. 87.