Overview: Mouse Trap was a game released by Exidy in 1981. Similar to many others at the same time, it was a Pac-Man clone, but with a twist; players took control of a mouse with a strong desire for cheese. You had the power to alter the maze, similar to Lady Bug. The game, while having a somewhat interesting premise, was bogged down due to it's intense difficulty. Today, I will evaluate whether this game is suited to your tastes.
Control: You use the joystick to move the mouse left, right, up & down. Pressing the "dog" button will allow you to temperorarily ascend to a state of tenacious ferocity. Pressing any of the three buttons allows one to alter the maze; Yellow, green, and blue alter their respective pillars. Gameplay: You play as a mouse, traversing through a colored maze. Using the color buttons, you can alter the layout accordingly to suit your tastes. Collecting bones allows you to become a dog, invincible for a very short time. The goal is to eat all the cheese. Act quickly, for the enemies are quite persistent. 6/10
Graphics: This is the game's strong point. In 1981, these graphics were blissful. Even now, they hold quite a bit of charm, actually. The mouse, dog, cat, and hawks are designed well enough to be visually distinctive and memorable, and the bright colors and layout help this game absorb your attention. It's quite a treat. 8/10
Sound: Sadly, this game is lacking in background music. What makes up for the lack of music is the sound effects. The dog barks intimidatingly, the cats meow sheepishly, and the mouse eats cheese in a cute way. It's enticing. 6/10
Addictiveness: This game won't keep you around for a long time because of it's difficulty. The game also doesn't have much of an ending either. This game is mostly only a once-in-a-while thing, unfourtunately. 4/10
Story: This game has the bare minimum. You are a mouse, you want cheese, so you must acquire it to satisfy your needs while avoiding the opposition. 1/10
Depth: This is a bright spot for the game. Using the maze's buttons' accordingly allows for some strategy; you can wait for an ambush or you can cut off a cat during a long chase. You can use the maze to readily sneak around or to bumrush your opponents with your dog transformation. It works. 6/10
Difficulty: This is the game's glaring flaw. The game does not have much in the way of continues or extra lives, which makes for a frustrating game. Also, you die in one hit. The enemies are fierce and punishing, and there is little room for error. A very difficult game. 9/10
Overall: Mouse trap is a anomaly; a red herring of sorts. It draws you in with it's charming graphics and premise, only to destroy you with it's crushing difficulty. It's not all bad. If you like a maze game with a little strategy and trial-and-error gameplay, this is for you. Just do not expect much easiness. 6.8/10 Overview: Mouse Trap was a game released by Exidy in 1981. Similar to many others at the same time, it was a Pac-Man clone, but with a twist; players took control of a mouse with a strong desire for cheese. You had the power to alter the maze, similar to Lady Bug. The game, while having a somewhat interesting premise, was bogged down due to it's intense difficulty. Today, I will evaluate whether this game is suited to your tastes.
Control: You use the joystick to move the mouse left, right, up & down. Pressing the "dog" button will allow you to temperorarily ascend to a state of tenacious ferocity. Pressing any of the three buttons allows one to alter the maze; Yellow, green, and blue alter their respective pillars. Gameplay: You play as a mouse, traversing through a colored maze. Using the color buttons, you can alter the layout accordingly to suit your tastes. Collecting bones allows you to become a dog, invincible for a very short time. The goal is to eat all the cheese. Act quickly, for the enemies are quite persistent. 6/10
Graphics: This is the game's strong point. In 1981, these graphics were blissful. Even now, they hold quite a bit of charm, actually. The mouse, dog, cat, and hawks are designed well enough to be visually distinctive and memorable, and the bright colors and layout help this game absorb your attention. It's quite a treat. 8/10
Sound: Sadly, this game is lacking in background music. What makes up for the lack of music is the sound effects. The dog barks intimidatingly, the cats meow sheepishly, and the mouse eats cheese in a cute way. It's enticing. 6/10
Addictiveness: This game won't keep you around for a long time because of it's difficulty. The game also doesn't have much of an ending either. This game is mostly only a once-in-a-while thing, unfourtunately. 4/10
Story: This game has the bare minimum. You are a mouse, you want cheese, so you must acquire it to satisfy your needs while avoiding the opposition. 1/10
Depth: This is a bright spot for the game. Using the maze's buttons' accordingly allows for some strategy; you can wait for an ambush or you can cut off a cat during a long chase. You can use the maze to readily sneak around or to bumrush your opponents with your dog transformation. It works. 6/10
Difficulty: This is the game's glaring flaw. The game does not have much in the way of continues or extra lives, which makes for a frustrating game. Also, you die in one hit. The enemies are fierce and punishing, and there is little room for error. A very difficult game. 9/10
Overall: Mouse trap is a anomaly; a red herring of sorts. It draws you in with it's charming graphics and premise, only to destroy you with it's crushing difficulty. It's not all bad. If you like a maze game with a little strategy and trial-and-error gameplay, this is for you. Just do not expect much easiness. 6.8/10 |