40 Winks

Publisher: GT Interactive
Developer: Eurocom Entertainment
Genre: 3D Platformer
Release Date: November 14, 1999
Platforms: Playstation, N64
ESRB: E- Everyone

Reviewer: Andy

40 Winks falls into the platforming genre comparable to Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, but doesn’t quite reach their platform greatness.

Tumble and Ruff are brother and sister who must save the world from NiteKap who is kidnapping Winks and turning them into Hoodwinks. Winks are small creatures that create dreams while Hoodwinks invade dreams turning them into nightmares. There are only 40 Winks left, and it is up to Tumble and Ruff to save them from NiteKap’s evil plan.

40 Winks is a standard 3-D platformer that follows the formula from the best of the genre today. The controls are simple where you perform numerous attacks, run around, and jump. The player must collect items called “cogs” to gain access to multiple doors throughout the world. Each door is numbered, and the player must collect that many cogs to gain access. This type of gameplay is exactly like Mario 64 where the player collects stars and Banjo-Kazooie where the player collects puzzle pieces to enter the next stage. In each of the worlds, Winks are hidden and must be found so they are not captured by NiteKap.

Two highlights of 40 Winks are the graphics, which are top-notch, and the special abilities. If you find a jack-in-the-box, jump inside it, and it will transform the character earning a special move that helps you in that level. The characters include a ninja, a magician, and an oversized caveman.

Sadly, 40 Winks does have its drawbacks. The game’s a bit too easy for the average gamer, and feels like it was meant for a way younger audience. Despite this, I think it might even be too hard for a younger audience. The camera angles can be a pain and sometimes the character feels clunky, especially when jumping and attacking. The challenge is lost through linear levels where it is almost impossible to get lost, and the lack of depth really hurts the game.

Final Verdict
For what it’s worth, I rather enjoyed 40 Winks. It was a recommendation, and I wasn’t disappointed. I always loved platformers and regardless of its simplicity, I would recommend it to a fan of this genre. The game’s flaws were not enough to shine me away from its delightful charm. Experienced gamers might not be so forgiving for its childish appearance and difficulty, but I found it hard to discredit. For the $2.50 I spent on this title, I have nothing to complain about.

Rating Breakdown:
Gameplay: 8 out of 10
    + Comparable to the best games of this genre.
    - Camera angles can be aggravating and so can the lack of challenge.

Story: 6 out of 10
    + Rescue the Winks from NiteKap’s plan for never-ending nightmares.
    - Unless you really love 3D platformers, the story will completely turn off most adult gamers.

Graphics: 8 out of 10
    + Surprisingly good, and better than most Playstation titles.
    - Almost too cute to make it appealing for all gamers.

Audio: 6 out of 10
    + The music fits each of the stages well, and the sound effects are alright.
    - There is nothing that truly stands out.

Replay Value: 5 out of 10
    + Play it once all the way through.
    - Once you complete it, there is really no reason to play again, even with two characters to pick from.
 
Overall
6.50 out of 10