One man and his dog with attitude (Sheep (PS))

Member Name: indychick_uk

Product:	Sheep (PS)
Date:	12/11/01 (121 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great fun, good graphics

Disadvantages: Rather difficult to control

I first became aware of Sheep (the game that is, I've been well aware of sheep the animals for most of my life) when I was driving along the M40 last summer from my house to my fiance's. As I passed through the countryside between High Wycombe and Stokenchurch, a billboard at the side of the motorway caught my eye.

As I neared it I realised it wasn't so much a billboard as a gigantic white frame, through which could be seen the grass covered hillside beyond, the farm at the top of the hill and the flock of sheep grazing on the hillside. The only marking on the "frame" was the address - www.sheep.com

I was intrigued.

Upon reaching my fiance's house I logged on to the internet and typed in the address to find an advert for a game about to be launched - about Sheep. I was immediately captivated by the cute sheep characters and we promised to look for the game when it came out.

Over the next few months other things filled my time, and mind, and I forgot about the Sheep - until one weekend a fwe weeks ago. Whilst out shopping for a printer, my (now husband) I went into Tempo in Slough, who were having a closing down sale. Always a sucker for a bargain I started trawling the aisles until I reached the games.

And there it was - Sheep - at a baaa-rgain price (apologies for the dreadful pun). So I just had to buy it. That was Saturday, by the following Monday my husband was beginning to think I'd moved out as he saw very little of me over those two days.

The idea behind the game is simple - and aren't the best games always simple?. Years ago an alien race landed on our planet and hid as stupid animals (sheep) in order to watch the inhabitants and gather information about the environment. Over the years they have forgotten about their mission and nowadays just gambol in the meadows and follow each other around (like sheep). But now their ancestors have sent ships to take them home and t
hey need help, which is where you come in.

The evil Mr Pear (don't they always have the best names for villains!!) wishes to control the world by implanting sheep genes into all life on earth so that it becomes submissive. The returning sheep ancestors abduct several earth inhabitants and implant in their minds the desire to round up all sheep and bring them to the rendezvous.

You can choose to be one of four sheepherders (including Bo Peep - shepherdess by day, singer with a rock band at night and Shep - aging sheepdog, a little slow but years of experience) to guide the sheep safely through a number of stages dodging obstacles such as combine harvesters (which mow the sheep down), wolves (who knock your sheep over) and donkeys (who kick your sheep).

There are also cattle grids to be avoided and you can turn your sheep into tanks or battering rams for short periods of time in order to get through walls and the like. You can get your sheep to follow you by turning on a radio (some species like music more than others), dropping trails of sweets or you can drive them in front of you by simply running and waving your arms.

There are seven worlds and 4 levels in each world to negotiate and you must choose one of four breeds of sheep for each level. The sheep are; Pastorals - normal, boring sheep who are scared of everything; Factorals - not afraid of anything as they are too stupid to distinguish between safety and danger; Long Wool - sub-culture sheep, love rock music but still stupid; Neo Genetics - Good with computers and traffic (but still stupid)

As you move on you will begin to distinguish which sheep are best on certain levels, depending on the obstacles and dangers involved.

There are bonuses to be earned, and if you collect a Golden Sheep on each level in a world you get to play a Bonus Game. Before beginning each level you will be given your target number of sheep to be rescued in the alloted time a
nd you score extra for completing the level in less than the alloted time or with more sheep than set.

The graphics are pretty good, the sheep are very, VERY cute and their are lots of other funny characters to interact with. I've been playing for a few months now and although I don't play it very much, it's always good for cheering me up and filling a boring Sunday afternoon (and much nicer than Grand Theft Auto which is my hubby's current favourite game).

Now that it's come down in price a bit, definitely worth buying.

Trust me, you'll never look at a sheep the same way again.

Summary: