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Another childhood dream shattered… I guess it turns out that Karnov was actually an evil, money crazed villain, and once again the only positive influence to come out of Russia for kids in the 80’s was comedian Yakov Smirnov. (In America, you play Commodore…In Russia, Commodore plays you! What a Country!)You see, in the 90’s Data East released a couple of street-fighter like fighting games that featured the big man as an evildoer! (I think they were called fighter’s history and a sequel, Karnov’s revenge…but I might be mistaken.) Also, he was the first level boss in Bad Dudes…but I’m not sure he was evil; he may have just been trying to put an end to that awful game - but that’s a different review.
In a way, Karnov was far ahead of it’s time – many games nowadays let you play as heroes of less than upstanding moral character. The game runs much slower than the arcade original, and doesn’t look nearly as pretty – but that’s a given, considering the limitations of the C64. The slower running is actually a benefit, though – the game is quite difficult, and dodging enemy fireballs, skeletons riding ostriches, Pillsbury doughboys throwing rocks, and flying green demons trapped up to their waist in brown, log-looking like objects (I don’t wanna know!) is made a little easier.
Your ability to carry an inventory lifts this game to above average, and adds another level of depth – deciding where to use specific items, like the ladder, will actually have you thinking about more than how someone as husky as Karnov can jump that high. All in all, Karnov is fun for a while, if you have a high tolerance for frustration…and evil.
Downloads: Music
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| GRAPHICS - 7/10 |
While the graphics are nowhere near the arcade version, they’re still pretty good – the level of detail is decent and there are a good variety of backdrops upon which you will see Karnov die…again …and again…and again…
| | SOUND - 3/10 |
There’s not much for music here, but you will hear some when Karnov dies, which you will probably hear often.
| | PLAYABILITY - 7/10 |
Gameplay is very straightforward – and you have the option of just going through blasting everything Karnov hates, (Which is almost everything living) or by playing a bit more of a finesse game using your inventory. A decent commodore side-scroller all around, but a bit hard for some players.
| | OVERALL - 7/10 |
This game was surprisingly popular…and I think marketed properly, could have been an 80’s multimedia success! Imagine – Karnov the Movie! Karnov the board game! Karnov the breakfast cereal! (Just don’t put those log-riding demons in it, okay?) For some extra Karnov gameplay fun, you can check out Dance Dance Karnov…(search for it on Google, or find it at www.somethingawful.com) but the easily offended should probably stay away…you’ve been warned.
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| COVER |
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; "Click to zoom!")
; "Click to zoom!")
