As you progress through the game then, Vince's various abilities and powers will grow - as the opposition he faces grows stiffer, and his fighting and jumping capabilities will prove increasingly vital to survival in the bizarre tasks he will have to complete to progress. Sadly, like many examples of the genre, Voodoo Vince can get somewhat frustrating at times, most notably when you're not sure how to proceed or the task of progression seems somewhat impossible. It was at these moments that I threw down my controller in disgust. However, these are balanced by some downright inspired instances, such as the Back to the Future style time travel level in which you must move backwards and forwards to collect items and eventually provide a gift to the Jazz Man - or indeed the bizarre Piggy Bank in the early Bayou level. I won't give too much away, though.

As well as these quirky elements, Voodoo Vince boasts some excellent production values (the rich and detailed graphics/animation), not to mention the entertaining one-liners and unusual level design. However the most appealing side of the title for me was the style, setting and which is nothing short of outstanding. Not many games have been set in the world Voodoo; the seedy back allies of Louisiana, the colourful characters and sumptuous jazz soundtracks - but Voodoo Vince brings all these elements to life wonderfully. This really is escapism at its best at times, with the music being especially enjoyable. The story too fitted-in well with this theme, though the somewhat aggravating mission design occasionally grated, and the basics of the gameplay are hardly revolutionary.

All in all though fans of the platform genre will find much to admire in Voodoo Vince, especially those after a something a little different. It may not be original in every way, but it is a start, and can't be faulted for production values, and for at least deviating from the standard a little. Those who find platformers repetitive, linear and too simplistic may still however find these pet-hates present, sadly. Different, but not quite magical...

80%

By Luke Guttridge