Hugo (video game)

Hugo
Cover of the 1996 PC CD-ROM game Hugo
Developer(s)	Silverrock Productions / ITE
Publisher(s)	Silverrock Productions / ITE
Producer(s)	Ivan Sølvason
Artist(s)	Niels Krogh Mortensen Lars Krogh Mortensen Torben B. Larsen
Composer(s)	Jens-Christian Huus
Series	Hugo
Platform(s)	Amiga, Apple Macintosh, C64, Game Boy Color, PC, PlayStation
Release date(s)	1991–2000
Genre(s)	Action
Mode(s)	Single-player
Distribution	Floppy disks, CD-ROM

There are several Hugo games based on early scenarios from the Interactive Television Entertainment's interactive television TV show Hugo in the franchise of the same game. The games were developed and released by ITE in several versions and re-releases compilations between 1991 and 2000 for the Amiga, Commodore 64 and PC computers. The Game Boy, Game Boy Color and PlayStation console games were also released through the 1990s until 2000. In 2011, Krea Media started publishing a series of mobile game remakes for the Android based devices.

The games are very similar to the games featured on the television show. In almost all of these games, the titular protagonist, a small and friendly troll named Hugo, has his wife and children kidnapped by the evil witch Scylla. In order to free his family, Hugo needs to navigate safely through various dangerous environments. To finish a scenario scenario, Hugo may also need to complete an end minigame.

History

A comparison of the pixel art graphics of the original 1991 game and its vector graphics-based 2011 remake on the example of the "Rope" end minigame.

Computer games

The first Hugo computer game was Skærmtrolden Hugo, released in 1991, first for the Commodore 64 and then for the Amiga. The game featured only one scenario, the "Labyrinth" (also known as "Goldmine").^[1] It was created by SilverRock Productions (any early name of ITE) as their first game since Super OsWALD in 1989.

The first "proper" games were the 1992 Amiga games Hugo - På Nye Eventyr (the "Handcar" and "Mountain" levels)^[2] and its sequel Hugo - På Nye Eventyr Del 2 (the "Forest" and "Plane" levels).^[3] These two were later rereleased as a 1994 compilation titled simply Hugo and then ported to the PC in 1995-1996.^[4]

The other PC releases included Hugo 2 (1996), Hugo 3, Hugo 4, Hugo 5 (1997), and Hugo 6; gradually providing new minigames based on the expanding television show. These were later visually upgraded in the compilations Hugo Gold (1998), Hugo Platin (1999), and Hugo XL (1999);^[5] as well as the first four titles in the Hugo Classic Collection compilation series in 2000.^[6]

Console games

Hugo (Playstation)
Cover of the 1998 PlayStation game Hugo
Developer(s)	ITE Media
Publisher(s)	ITE Media
Platform(s)	PlayStation
Release date(s)	EU 1998
Distribution	CD-ROM

Hugo 2 (Playstation)
Cover of the 2000 PlayStation game Hugo 2
Developer(s)	ITE Media
Publisher(s)	ITE Media
Platform(s)	PlayStation
Release date(s)	EU May 2000

In 1998, Hugo 2 was ported by Laguna Video Games and Infogames for the Game Boy Color as Hugo 2½, featuring simplified graphics and gameplay.

The two Sony PlayStation games of 1998–2000 (again titled simply Hugo and Hugo 2) were based directly on the computer games, but featured improved graphics and sounds (including music tracks for each stage), as well as a rendered intro sequence in Hugo 2.

Plot

In most of the games, a scourge of the troll woods - the wicked witch Scylla (named differently in some countries, such as "Hexana" in Germany and "Afskylia" in the original Danish version), kidnapped and locked up Hugo, the troll's wife Hugoline, and the three children Rit, Rat, and Rut; because she needs them for her magic beauty treatment. Hugo must rescue them and bring peace to the woods, but because of evil Scylla there are many various obstacles in his path. Through the games, Hugo (voiced in German by Michael Habeck, Oliver Grimm and Oliver Baier) and sometimes also Scylla (voiced in German by Karin Kernke) communicate with the player directly (using digitized speeches), thus breaking the fourth wall (and even knocking on or scratching the screen from the inside).

Gameplay

The player has to complete several minigames on the way to rescuing Hugolina and the kids, and then complete the end games. Most of the scenarios use 2.5D graphics and are played using limited controls due to their origins in the television show. Some of the total of more than 20 minigames include:

• Applejack: Hugo and his kids grab apples from the apple tree. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Platin (PC).^[7]
• Ballooning: Hugo floats by his balloon avoiding canyons, big spikes and collapsing cliffs. At the end of the game, Hugo's balloon gets a hole and player must control the balloon through the downward tunnel without hitting the walls. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 2 (PC).^[8]
• Cliffhanger: In this game, Hugo has to climb a mountain while avoiding gargoyles, asteroids and dynamites and picking up gold bags for points. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 3 (PC) and Hugo 2 (PlayStation).^[9]
• Scuba: Hugo dives throughout the river avoiding fish, crabs and octopuses and collecting treasure chests. Hugo must also take air from the surface and turn in intersections to avoid waterfalls. This scenario was re-made for Hugo 1999 (PC), Hugo (PlayStation) and Hugo Gold (PC).^[10]
• Dolmen Cave: The remake of "Labyrinth" minigame. Hugo attempts to go through an underground labyrinth to the top of a mountain. Scylla floods it in an attempt to drown the troll, so the player has to find the right path fast while avoiding traps. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 2 (PC).^[11]
• Forest: Hugo wanders through a dark forest where the cunning witch has set up many traps awaiting the troll. The player must make it safely through the forest. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 1 (PC) and Hugo (PlayStation).^[12]
• Handcar: Hugo has found an old track that directly leads to the skull-shaped cave of Scylla. The player must ensure the troll and his handcar reach their destination safely by cleverly changing tracks, dodging the oncoming steam trains and collecting gold bags. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 1 (PC), Hugo (PlayStation) and Hugo Troll Race.^[13]
• Ice Cavern: Hugo has found a secret back-entrance to the witch's lair, and in order to get in, Hugo must jump around, gathering three jars on ice pillars that are constantly moving up and down. If he stays on the pillars too long, some of the witch's traps will trigger. This scenario was re-made for Hugo 1999, Hugo 2 (PlayStation) and Hugo Platin (PC).^[14]
• Labyrinth: The first Hugo-game ever made, which was featured in Skærmtrolden Hugo (Amiga). In this game Hugo has to find his way out from the maze avoiding dynamites and mining wagons, before the huge TNT-box exploses the whole labyrinth. After maze Hugo has to jump over bridge holes and then he has to choose right door to win a final prize. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Gold (PC) and "Hugo Retro Mania", but also the "Dolmen Cave" is the remake of this scenario.^[15]
• Mine Track: Takes place underground in the long shafts of a mine. Moving at high speed in a mining wagon, Hugo must find the exit to the mine. In the ceiling and corridors lie many obstacles which he must try to avoid; picking up gold on the way increases the score. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 4 and Hugo 2 (PlayStation).^[16]
• Moor: Hugo must cross a dangerous moor to reach Scylla's lair. He must steer clear of the numerous hidden dangers that lie ahead of him, including treacherous mud holes, colonies of bats, and a test which he must solve, if and when he finally reaches the end of the game. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 4 and Hugo 2 (PlayStation).^[17]
• Motorcycle^[18]
• Mountaineering: Hugo is running up a mountain, dodging rolling boulders while trying to collect gold bags. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 1, Hugo (PlayStation) and Hugo XL.^[19]
• Parachutist: In this scene, Hugo parachutes directly to the witch's secret hideout in the forest. The player must steer Hugo to avoid obstacles such as birds and storm clouds, while collecting bags of gold. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 3 (PC).^[20]
• Biplane: The troll is flying a biplane through a thunderstorm summoned by the witch, avoiding the storm and mines while collecting gold. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 1 (PC), Hugo (PlayStation) and Hugo XL.^[21]
• Lumberjack: Hugo is rafting on tree trunks along a river and must avoid branches and other hazards. He also cannot stay still too long, so the player must move through the trunks quickly, while collecting gold bags along the way, if possible. This scenario was re-made for Hugo (PlayStation) and Hugo 1999 (PC).^[22]
• Skateboard^[23]
• Sledge: Hugo is sledding down a hill, avoiding birds and snowmen while collecting bags of gold. This scenario was re-made twice, first for Hugo Classic 3 (PC) and then for Hugo 2 (PlayStation).^[24]
• Snowboarding: On the mountain, Hugo has found snow tracks that lead down to the witch's cave. Unfortunately, Scylla knows Hugo's plans and has started an avalanche. The track down the hill is a net of skiing tracks with dead ends, and fast and slow slopes. Hugo swings on his snowboard, avoiding rolling snowballs and steep chasms while collecting gold. This scenario was re-made twice, first for Hugo Platin and Hugo Classic 2, and then for Hugo 2 (PlayStation).^[25]
• Boulders: Hugo is pursued by huge boulders while trying to avoid being trapped in dead ends. Scylla has placed obstacles along the way to make things tough for Hugo, including tree roots to trip him up, as well as lava pits and other such "delights". This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 4 (PC).^[26]
• Wild River^[27]
• Wood Column Jumping: Hugo stands on cliff and has to get onto cliff opposite him. To make this possible, Hugo has to hop from tree trunk to tree trunk and across the bridge. There are dynamites, beavers and steel traps to avoid. On the edge of the track you’ll see owls and frogs, which player has to remember at the end of the game. This scenario was re-made for Hugo Classic 3 (PC).^[28]

If the player manages to complete the journey and reach the destination (all minigames successfully completed), they proceed to the final set of minigames, after which the game is finished with a happy ending and the player's score is doubled.

• Ropes: As Hugo finally stands in front of Scylla and the cage that contains his family, he has to decide between three ropes. Depending on the success or failure of this, either Hugo or Scylla is magically bound and ejected sent out the window via a spring loaded launcher (Scylla might also turn old or into a bird). But if Hugo selects the correct rope, he wins the confrontation and frees his family.^[29]
• Lightning Bolts: Hugo has to hop though a checkboard-style stage to collect a key and open the door, while avoiding lightning spells being hurled at him by Scylla in a final attempt to stop him.^[30]
• Key Scene: Hugo must find the right scene to open the door leading to a treasure room.^[31]

Hugo Platin features two new exclusive end games, "Apple Harvest" and "Magic Hands".

Reception

The original games were generally received positively, unlike the later PlayStation versions. According to the Spanish magazine pcmanía, while "Hugo" is "not a bad game" it is "a bit bland and repetitive, especially since the video game version only differs from television [game] in its difficulty."^[39]

On the other hand, Arcade stated about the PlayStation version: "advertised as being "designed for children aged 6+", Hugo will come off as simplistic at best, patronising at worst - a real shame given the quality of edutainment titles that could be ported from PC and Mac."^[40] PlayStation Official Magazine featured the "bloody rubbish" Hugo on top of their list of the worst PlayStation characters.^[41] In 2012, Game Informer made a Replay section retro video making fun of Hugo for the PlayStation and of Bubsy 3D.^[42]

Krea Medie remakes

See also

• Other Hugo video games
  

References

External links

• Official website
• Hugo at MobyGames
• Hugo at Giant Bomb
• Amiga Hugo games at HOL database
• (German) Classic Hugo games at Hugo-Troll.de