Introduction:

This game is truly an exploration game that involves stages. In fact, there are over a hundred of them.  It is an action game where you collect items while looking for Dr. Livingston.  Think of River City Ransom type fighting, where items and your own fists deal out damage.

Story:

Pick up any history book on Dr. Livingston in Africa and you will instantly know the plot of this game.  If you don't have time to read a book, here is the plot. Livingston is missing. Find Livingston.  Don't die.
 

Gameplay:

This is an action game but also involves some strategy. There are many areas that need to be explored, but not every area is worth taking the time to explore. Many areas contain nothing of importance and are a waste of time to explore.  You search for temples which have items in them of importance, except the one in the third section.  You battle snakes, the tribesmen who try to kill you for either trespassing or for fun, and maybe they are cannibals.  Jump up and down and move through Marioesque landscapes and use your patented personal backpack helicopter to hover in air. However you can die very easily, so try not to jump off cliffs without considering the consequences.

I give the gameplay: 7/10

Graphics:

Some of the graphics are breathtaking. The mountain background in one of the village levels  was amazing and the first level has a neat port city that is packed with many different types of people.  However, many of the people do look alike. All of the village elders and many of the women in the game all appear identical.  Still, for what was accomplished at the time it is worth playing the game for that reason alone.

I give the graphics: 9/10

Sound:

The sounds are decent but after a while they become very repetitive. Utilize your preferred music selection and mute the sound after a little while. No catchy tunes here, but you probably won't be angry either.

I give the sound: 6/10

Replayability:

No new plot branches but you could try to explore every area, even if you don't need to so you can prove to yourself that you are the ultimate adventurer.

I give the replayability: 3/10

Challenge:

This game is very challenging. The fact is most of you who are reading this will never complete the game because of how difficult the game is unless you know this secret.  There is a stage to the left of the starting area that you can use for unlimited 1-ups.  In fact I have only heard of one person who beat this game without game enhancing codes, and even then it took a very long time. 

I give the challenge: 10/10

Frustration:

I am pleased to say that there was very little frustrating about this game, aside from the fact that you can only have a maximum of six lives at one time.  Also, many of the stages are repeats in design. Of course, to some people this is a positive aspect to a game.

I give the frustration: 2/10

Value:

I value this game highly.  It was a fun game to play and I really felt as if I was stranded in Africa.  I really wanted to find Dr. Livingston, and was shocked at the unconventional ending that I had not anticipated. If you can find it somewhere and the price is cheap you should buy the game.

I give the value: 8/10

Overall:

Overall this game is worth buying, and the music and style of fighting and traveling
becomes addictive and you end up playing the game all night.

I give Stanley: The Search for Dr. Livingston: 8/10

Conclusion:

Find this game and play it if you can. You might not love this game and might find it hard to play, but if you play for a while you might just find yourself a legendary explorer on a manhunt in the jungles of Africa.

Written By: Vitani
E-Mail: bmbarry@smcm.edu

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