Space Ace, 1984 Don Bluth Productions/Cinematronics/Magicom (20 From 1984 #13)
15Another gorgeous animated laserdisc game created by Don Bluth Productions! The basic "reaction" dynamic from Dragon's Lair is back, but this time not only is the setting changed to futuristic outer space; you can switch between two different personalities during your game at certain intervals! This is due to the effects of the evil Commander Borf's invention "Infanto Ray" which he plans to use on all Earthlings in order to rule the planet. Opposing him is Dexter (as the young side) and Ace (as the grownup side), with girlfriend Kimberly and a laser pistol at your side. Your quest is split up into multiple scenarios, and even more so than Dragon's Lair, you may see the action play out in reversed cels, requiring you to reverse the normal left and right directions! You will seldom face Borf directly other than at the very beginning and at the end, but he has plenty of lackeys willing to put an end to you! At various intervals a watch on Dexter's wrist will flash and he can choose to change into Ace (press an action button) or continue on as Dexter-- note that for the most part, playing as Dexter makes the stages a lot shorter than playing as Ace! The thing I like best about this game is that the dialogue is FAR richer than in Dragon's Lair; Kim and Dex/Ace joke a lot and Dexter's kind of whiny voice isn't quite as annoying as it could be. Tons of colorful locations and weird/goofy monsters, as well as several amusing death scenes, are really the icing on the cake. Don Bluth, who voices Commander Borf (famous cost-cutting move to use DBP employees for voice actors instead of actual actors), has another great game on his hands. Hope you had a good weekend and see you soon for game #12!