When it comes to well-kept black humor, it is, I am completely sure, best placed in the Addams Family. Already in 1938 by the cartoonist of Charles Addams as a satirical reversal of the ideal American nuclear family (usually the parents and their children consisting.) (In English the term "Nuclear Family" was coined for what it sounds like something strange and ambiguous.) invented and drawn the slightly different and seemingly total through crazy Goth family which had to do initially yet without name and complex relationships between them since the witty television series in the 60 ´ enjoyed doing a huge popularity which she gained cult status.

I would like to introduce interested gamers to the Addams video games on this occasion. The first Addams Family game which is being reviewed here goes by the simple and distinctive name "The Addams Family" and is a free interpretation of the same name and very successful film, first, Barry Sonnenfeld from 1991 with including Raul Julia as Gomez, Anjelica Huston as Morticia and the still young Christina Ricci as Wednesday in the leading roles. In addition it is still worth mentioning that there is still a second equally high quality movie, "Addams Family Values" or "The Addams Family", values by the same Director and with same occupation of 1993 is and a following, but I think a bad video of another Director and with different line from 1998, titled as "Addams Family reUNION" or for s as "The Addams Family and loving relatives". There is also a not to intoxicating animated television series and a newer TV series that lacked success again after a short time.

But quickly to the game. The most striking characteristic of playable issue "The Addams Family" is the representation of character Gomez Addams, his character family and master of the macabre. In small design with an oversized head drawn character stands out above all by the permanent, decorated by a schnauzer wide grin, that the actor of the original series, firmly and indelible was branded by.

As in the movie, someone wants to again take the Addams assets, which is why the Addams Family of the House is referenced by a dubious court order. But the Addams would not be the Addams if they would just accept this. To extort Gomez almost all his family members are held hostage (here even the parallel to the film ending) and kept hidden somewhere on the property. As a classic jump ´ n ´ run games is now challenging Gomez his family to save it and show the offenders, what it means to mess with the Addams.

Looking for members of his family, one must cross the creepy and vast Addams property that directly this particularly positive notice, it is created and divided into separate levels as a single large game world as known from other games ago. In this game, you have complete freedom to go wherever you like. You may explore the surrounding area of the House after your heart's content, browse in the fireplace, on the cemetery hiking, look under the Earth, take the family tomb in inspection and make of course the House unsafe. There also several doors which lead into the premises known from the television series and the films in the staircase of the horror house. These are interspersed with many strange people and objects as for example the biting dragon and nasty traps, which of course without losses to defeat or bypass.

To compete against the many dangers of the game Gomez can jump and run. While the jumping controls requires a little sensitivity because Gomez makes a little skip with a light press of the jump button and bigger jumps must be timed well. But the jumping must be mastered quickly as a targeted jump on the head also defeats enemies. Sometimes it can be recommended that you jump even by an opponent to the next, because in this way can Gomez can win a little more height and may slightly elevated reach difficult to access platforms. Alternatively, the enemies can be beaten with a sword or throwing stones if you find such items, somewhere on your wanderings and can keep them long enough before they go away all too quickly. The same applies to the sneakers which increase the running speed. In addition to these three objects there are dollars scattered throughout the game and usually well hidden extra lives, still time shields, funny flight caps aka Fez copters. You should accumulate the dollars diligently, since for 25 you get a hit point and 100 will receive you an extra life. You can never have enough extra lives in this game and fortunately many can be found in "The Addams Family". The whole world is literally crammed with invisible doors and platforms, vaults, switches, bonus rooms and even abbreviations!

More secrets fit in a single game than on any other. Extra lifes are hidden in the continue screen! Finding the countless extra goodies accounts for much of the charm of this game and the Player is kept happy in this respect, "The Addams Family" is an absolute classic.

To cut a long story short the game is accessible and not too difficult, if not even a little too easy. However, it is incredible fun and a great game to play.