Kolibri

Review

by Christopher Michael Baker

In Kolibri, you assume the role of a hummingbird responsible for blasting away at evil insects and other creatures in order to save the entire world. Say what?! Yep, from Novotrade -- the same developer that turned a dolphin into one of Sega's most popular characters -- comes this all-out shooter involving a bird that can flap its wings over 75 times per second. And guess what? It's actually a decent game.

The world you guide Kolibri the hummingbird through demonstrates the full graphic capabilities of the 32X in its color and realism. And if you play on a screen of 30 inches or so, the action is actually quite life-sized! Throw in a rather serene soundtrack that echoes these lifelike surroundings of nature and you're in for a treat just by watching the demo.

Once you take control, though, you'll realize that the unique qualities of this shoot-'em-up go beyond the game's concept of starring a feathered hero you could fit within your hand. For one thing, the goals for success vary stage by stage. In some your job might be to exterminate all of the enemies on the screen, while in others you might have to work your way to a certain point so as to escape. As the levels progress they naturally get tougher, some even requiring sharp observation skills in order to figure how to pass a certain obstacle. This shooter has brains!

Another unique aspect of Kolibri is the bird's navigation through stages. Just as they change goals, some stages might allow you to move about in any direction on a vast panorama -- up, down, left or right -- while others maintain the more straight-ahead movement characteristic of most 2D shooters. Still, some combine the two as you move straight forward for a while and then have the freedom to move about as you please once you reach a certain point.

Kolibri's vast array of weapons also adds to the game's depth, including lasers, cluster bombs, spread shots, pulse rays and several others necessary for any hummingbird aiming to save the world. Further, his color often changes when a new weapon is attained, adding to the vast array of hues already pleasing our cones and rods.

If for no other reason than its unique (some might say preposterous) premise alone, Kolibri is worth a look. Just don't surprise yourself if that "look" is sustained a little bit longer than you had planned as you gaze upon this, the most beautiful pre-Saturn game available on a Sega system.