Survival Kids
Game by Konami
Reviewed by The Avardancer (Philip Wesley)
Size: 8 megabits
Save: Battery, three save slots, and one "stop save".
Released: 1999
Works with: Every version of Game Boy
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Opening Snide Remarks: Ironically, a few days after I bought this game; my
computer Hard-Drive crashed.. BIG TIME. Anyways, I survived the following two
days by chewing on cords and playing Survival Kids. Anyways, I got my 'puter
back from repair. Nice and quick. So I sat down and decided it was time to
review: "Survival Kids". Now, there is something you should know about this
game before I review it. A long time ago, and far, far away.. on a Release
List not to unlike our own. I saw this title. For some odd reason, I was
drawn to the titles name: "Survival Kids". I mean.. what was it? On Konami of
America's site; there were no pictures. (And they still continued to ignore
this title for many, many months. It *barely* made it on to shelves; and is
fairly tough to find. But what angers me about it; was the fact that they
rushed: "Spawn" out so quickly.. and let this title rot in a warehouse for a
while.) I was intrigued.

So, I went to Konami of JAPAN's website... after searching.. I found Survival
Kids. It looked cool. From the screenshots and data on the site; I figured
out that it was a "Survival RPG". Kind of a "Lord of the Flies" deal. I was
instantly smitten with a few of the screenshots. You could combine objects in
a "realistic" manner. The idea seemed vast and delightfully unique. So, I
wrote a preview on it. I found the kids names and made Mery a nice top
graphic for the site. I liked the idea of the game a lot. But, in the back of
my mind was the vaulting worry that it might: "stink". After months of delay
after delay after delay. I was worried. It did NOT help that Konami of
America was... well... bad to me on the phone. If they have not fired a few
service representatives yet.. I know who they SHOULD fire. I really enjoy
being laughed at for owning a Game Boy site; or being told that the game was
*not* finished and wouldn't be finished until *summer 2000*; when it is done
and I have played the final version on a ROM.

Speaking of ROMs; while I do not "condone' the use of an emulator... I can
not help but feel an affinity to them. I tried the Japanese version of this
game as soon as it was on-line. As I watched the Konami logo fade and the
title screen come up; the tension continued to mount. After I viewed the
opening, and played it for 15 minutes; I was convinced. This game was good.
Everything checked out okay. Anyways, it took me a while to track down a copy
of this game for a review. I bought it at Babbages in Kansas City; and I am
happy to sit down here and present to you a review of the final version of
the game. If I did reviews off of ROMS/REVS/ETC... like some sites.. I would
have had this review sooner. But I like to be legitimate. So, here goes.

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Gameplay Descripion: Let me clear the air on this game. First, and foremost,
this game is NOT SHORT. It has enough in it to last a long time of play.
Secondly, this game is NOT CHILDISH. The game may say: "Survival Kids"; but
it is in no way childish. I would like to state that this game is disturbing
on a wide variety of levels. Even more if you think about it. It's not at all
forgiving; and it has 8 possible endings; but a few of them are *very* sad
and tragic. In fact, I would like to say that Ending 5 makes me a bit.. ill.
No really. It does. Mainly; because I named the Boy after myself; and I was
playing with the girl at the time. I named her: "(Heart Symbol)Amy". If the
game had five letter names.. I would have named her Janna. But, (Heart
Symbol)Amy is fine for now.

To sum up gameplay; there are three main points of interest. They are the
STORY, MECHANICS, and the EXTRAS. That is how I would divy up the basis of
this game. The story starts out rather nicely. You are on a boat. For your
tenth birthday... you are given a pocket knife by your father. Anyways, that
knife will soon help you more than you can ever imagine. Because that night..
a foul storm arises. And faster than you can say: "Gilligan"; you are viewing
a dramatic sequence in which you get washed over board; and the ship sinks
beneath the waves, Titanic style. You wash ashore on a beach. Then Marin
comes along and steals you wallet. Okay... she doesn't. To be honest; a small
monkey comes along and pokes you. *POKE POKE* You awaken, the monkey vanishes
into the misty jungle and you are alone. Get used to it. Check around the
area until you find your sack (Back Pack). Then, equip your knife and get
your canteen and head out; because.. you are stuck here for the long haul.

It is NOT going to be as "simple" as waking the Wind Fish. No, you are now
presented with a few options; and here lies the beauty of the game. You can
try to escape the island; try to fix your radio and be rescued, or just try
to stay there. The game has eight different endings. Some are okay. Some are
rather tragic. And there is only ONE ending (Ending 8) that I really like;
because it gives the game fantastic closure; the perfect way to end it. And
if you want to get the most out of the game; you'll need to discover all of
the endings. Now, the game has a lot of replay value there; doesn't it? And
some types of grasses, and mushrooms have different effects on you each time
you play through. So that Hollow Mushroom is good to eat the first time you
play though; but the next time you go through; it may poison you or do some
thing unpleasent to you.

There are four things you need to know about your character. He (Or she) can
die. Very easily; if you are not careful. You need to keep your LIFE up. How
do you do this? Just like you would in real life. You need to eat, drink
water, and GET SLEEP. Yes, being too tired (A high percentage) can make you
lose LIFE. If you run out of LIFE; you die. And that would be bad. You need
to keep your water and food percentages as high as possible as well. Sleep
can be done in the HUT, in certain trees (If you light your "Kindling" first;
before you sleep in those things.), and in certain.. other areas.

One aspect I adore in the game is the "MERGE" command. You can do simple
things like: "DRY GRASS + STICK = KINDLING". And they are logical recipes for
survival. Things you wouldn't have thought of without a scouting manual. One
of the best combinations would have to be TREE SAP + STICK, or still other
combinations for your own use. Lots of variety; and you can also make your
own "toys" that serve no purpose; but to waste your time. It is all very
logic based. Very nice.

The game also has a night and day distinction. The color changes are rather
gradual; but they affect the way you play a lot. It will not snow there; but
certain animals seem to only come out at night; etc. Days pass by in a
rether obvious method. When it gets too late at night; you view becomes
limited to just a small area around you. Unless you light a fire and then
light a torch. Oh, nifty.. isn't it? Does it have a point? Yes, it does. The
goals in the game are never a nil point. near the outset of the game; you
will most like wonder what to do. My suggestion is to explore. And stay out
of fights with the animals; you probably loose; mainly because of an "aiming"
sensitivity. Although, hitting the SELECT button makes that "flaw" a rather
useless complaint.

The island is a LOT bigger than you think. HA HA HA It may seem small in
respect to Koholint Island; but for a desert island.. you'll be lost in it
for a little while; before you start to learn your way around the island. The
game can be going nice and easy; but quickly take a turn for the worst. It is
not very forgiving. The game has a definate story that is controlled by a
wide variety of scripted events. Every day is different. The island is both
unpredictable; and alive. You get the feeling that other things exist on this
island and that there are forces at work on this island that are beyond your
own comprehension. This game seems to take a bit of drama from it's own...
hopelessness. It has a feeling of definate gravity. It borrows many elements
that would normally be used in movies to create a unique experience that is
unlike everything else on Game Boy or other systems. To be honest; the game
reminds me of a small story about another "lost on an island game".

There was a time; when I was playing thorugh Legend of Zelda 4: "Link's
Awakening" for the very first time. I had no idea what was in store; I was in
the perfect game enviroment. No internet with it's walk-throughs, no Nintendo
Power players guide to help me out. I had to wing it. I had to learn it all
the hard way. I got so involved with the story; that in a section of the game
I was actually... scared to go on. Why? Because I was afraid of the ENDING of
the game. I was afraid of what was coming up ahead.. I was afraid it would
be bitter and sad. I was right. The ending to that game is bittersweet. Some
of the endings and aspects of this game are bittersweet. I, unfortunately,
knew enough of the game to never get stuck; but I dreaded some aspects of it;
for the main soul of the matters. I was afraid I would mess up. A good game
can put you into such a state of immersion that you either cease to exist for
any purpose; but to do a task in the game; or take you on an emotional ride
that rivals the movies. This game has parts that do this to me.

The game wouldn't be replayable if it weren't for SECRETS. The game has two
"modes" and it has three hidden games. It also has several endings and you
need to earn them all eventually. (Fear Ending 5. I can not discuss that
ending. That ending hurts.) The mini-games are simple; but they are hidden.
When you get one of the mini games and finish the game to get a particular
ending; the mini-game becomes selectable for play outside of the game. Think
of it as a "Game and Watch Gallery: Survival Kids Edition" idea. You also
uncover a puzzle from earning the various endings. Uncover all the pieces to
make a cool picture and access the "Round 2" mode. Very nice. Did I mention
you can choose two different characters to choose from.. and it has a monkey!
Every game needs a monkey. I mean, Mario 64 had Ukiki, Link's Awakening had
Kiki, and Survival Kids has "Bub". Although, you can rename him. My middle
name is ANDREW; so.. the monkey is Andy. (What? You never use real names?) I
like the monkey. The monkey is awesome.

A day in the game consists of gathering and hunting. Either for food or
praticular items. I would suggest trying to find batteries for your radio
first. Got it? Then take it from there. YOU control your destiny. YOU control
the outcome of the game. Very awesome. I like it a lot; but it has that same
desolete feeling I get from well... let me ruin a few things about other
games/movies. When you are half-way through Final Fantasy 6.. you end up in
control of Celes, and depending on what you do.. you'll either find a raft or
in a dramatic moment in the game; one of the most beloved main characters
will attempt to kill herself. That's a great moment in video games. Because,
for that moment.. you are IN there. You feel for that character. A lot can
be done with sprite animation and this game holds no bars with how the story
is portrayed. Do you remember the Pokémon: The First Movie scene where Ash
has been turned to stone by a beam of energy and Pikachu tries to revive him?
Come on.. that's the grittiest part of the movie. That desolate silence, the
futile "zapping" that Pikachu does. I mean.. that's simple drama. Simple and
effective. That is the way this game is. Effective. And nothing else really
matters. And if you (Admit it.) cried at that scene in the movie... this game
will require Prozac afterwards; but you're going to love every minute of it.

Liked: This game is light-years ahead of 90% of the games out there. And this
is GAME PLAY and CONCEPT wise. The game is fun; and is mature. Mature...
WITHOUT graphic violence, explicit language, or gratuitous questionable
elements. It is so drastically different; that I suggest you immediately
hunt this title down and buy it. Do it. Now.

Hated: Konami of America almost DIDN'T release this amazing game. The game
has a halo of uncertainty to it that some people may not be able to handle.

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Graphics Description: One phrase I toss around a lot is "SNES Quality". You
have heard me say it many times; and this is one of those times. The game is
awesome and has some very good graphics to back that up. The Super Game Boy
border is nice; but the Super Game Boy colors are.. questionable. I would
suggest that you play it on a Game Boy Color. Why? Because as the day passes,
the colors change to reflect that. It is a great effect. The close-up "boxed"
stills are a little.. mono-chromatic (One variety of colors. Example: four
shades of blue.) The opening sequence is very cool and the items and menus
are easy to navigate. Nothing "stands out" as un-natural; unless it is meant
to. The graphics are varied and the color schemes on the Game Boy Color are
natural choices. No purple trees or "colors for the sake of colors" in this
game. Enemies are well animated. Everything looks good. Will it shock and
amaze you? Not really; but the game throws around weather effects like rain,
moving water, and a water fall. Not to mention easily distinguishable items
and characters. What can I say about it? It looks good and the translation
is not bad; like some games.


Liked: It all looks good. ;)

Hated: Umm............................................. that swamp water is
brown..... oh wait... that's because they really don't want you to drink it.
Oh, nevermind.

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Sound/Music Description: Is the music too up-beat? Not really. It's good
music. It is sad when it needs to be sad; fast and fun when it needs to be
and it does this cool flourish thing in my headphones. The main theme when
you are in the main outdoor sections of the games. Long and well done music.
There is even a bit of a rather famous musical composition hidden in one of
the endings after the credits. That theme shows up and the ending is just
happier. Then, there is that tragic theme inside the HUT and during a few of
the endings there is some rather sad music. Well composed and a good deal of
it sticks in my mind. The sound is also well designed. From "realistic"
water sounds on the beach, to radio static, to normal sounds. The only sound
I have a qualm with is the menu sound. Other than that.. the game is very
good in this aspect as well. You get used to the menu sound.

Liked: Well done, planned audio, and good use of sound. Nice stereo effects!

Hated: That menu sound... for a little while anyways.

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Play Control/Game Design: Besides being wildly innovative, and well designed;
the game has a lot of replay value. Replay Value is usually missing from the
RPG genre. Did I mention that it has great play control as well? Oh, some
people knock it for the "difficulty" of aiming that knife at a diagonal
enemy. Umm.. hello? Hit SELECT to bring up an aiming arrow to help you out
with this one. Over all; you get a ton of great game for your money. Very
creative. Just too good.

Liked: The game is... immaculate in design. A literal Godsend to gamers
around the globe.

Hated: Umm................................................... nothing.

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Improve: I think.. I would have added one more Gemstone, or maybe squeezed in
another mini-game or ending. If they ever do a sequel; why not base it in a
huge mountain range; like the Rockies. And make it a Plane Crash or something
on that line. Why? Because I think that a "Survive after a Plane Crash" game
would be an interesting thing to play. Okay, it wouldn't make a good
television show. I could see it now: "Who wants to live after a disaster?"
with Regis Philban. Ha ha ha. Or what about falling into a huge underground
cavern and haveing to find a way out this weird underground world you have
found yourself in. So many good disaster games could be made from this. I
mean.. SURVIVAL/RPGS. How cool. I think we'll probably see an Urban Harvest
Moon type game before we see that though.

RIYL: RPGS, Legend of Zelda, Harvest Moon, unique games.

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Final Words: Why not get this game? Go! Find it! Go now! Get going! I can
still see you reading this! Go now and find it! Special Order it! Beg your
parents! Go! It really is cool! This is one of the best games to come our
way in a loooooong time.

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Score
Gameplay: *****
Graphics: *****
Sound/Music: *****
Play Control/Game Design: *****
Personal Opinion: *****
Total: 25 out of 25


Final Score: 100%

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Currently Known Codes: Oh, I have a good one! Oh.. wait... I won't tell you.