The DOS game, Hook, is based on the Robin Williams comedy adventure movie of the same title. The game itself was released to several ports, with the DOS version being developed and published by Ocean Software, LTD. in the early nineties.
In Hook, the protagonist is Peter Banning, a responsible adult version of the famous Neverland boy, Peter Pan. He has kept his interesting past a secret, even to his own family and has, in fact, repressed the information himself. However, it comes back to haunt him when his arch-rival, the nefarious Captain Hook, finds his way to Peter’s happy suburban home and kidnaps his two children.
Peter has no choice but to return to Neverland, with the ever-faithful fairy Tinker Bell at his side, and relive his never-ending childhood to regain his lost children.
In the style of a Monkey Island pirate adventure, Hook takes the user through a series of point and click adventures. While it is not as entertaining as Monkey Island, Hook does have merit in the genre. It features very nice graphics that are colorful, interesting and lend nicely to the pirate theme. The caricatures are well-drawn, and the sound is even appropriate and moody.
The interface is also very good. The top portion of the screen shows the general area in which Peter is navigating. The bottom portion displays a series of icons that represent
Peter’s choices in a given area. Usually, he can manipulate items by using them on other items, look at things, speak to people, and give items away. An added feature is a caricature of Peter, and of Captain Hook at the bottom part of the screen. The facial expressions correspond with the actions on the screen, and they tend to laugh at the user’s attempts frequently. There are many ways the gamer can goof up, so the characters will be laughing often.
The only real drawbacks to Hook are the occasional ambiguous puzzles (although most of them were good and entertaining, sometimes even clever and difficult) and the short time it takes to complete. Overall, Hook is good for a one-time-around play. You’ll have fun playing it!
