Another World coming to mobile phones

By Kristan Reed Published 4 July, 2005

Telcogames grabs 16-bit classic.

All-time 16-bit classic Another World is to receive the mobile phone treatment some 14 years after the classic Delphine-developed title was initially released on the Amiga to worldwide acclaim.

UK-based Telcogames and developer Magic Productions is bringing Eric Chahi's memorable and atmospheric creation to Symbian-compatible mobile handsets later this month, and Chahi himself has given the project his full backing.

"When I see the result in my hands I'm totally amazed by smooth animations faithful to the original game," commented Chahi. "But the most stunning point is the intact and responsive playability which was the true challenge to do on a mobile phone. Magic Production succeeds in this 'tour de force'."

Old-timers will recall that the game puts you in the shoes of young nuclear scientist Lester Chaykin in a beautifully animated 2D flick screen action adventure. An experiment goes haywire and Lester finds himself transported to Another World, and you're thrust into a completely alien environment with only your wits keeping you alive.

Using a context sensitive control system, the game did a great job of challenging the player with unique scenarios right from the word go (who could forget the first time you end up trapped in a cage?). The trial and error game design lead to plenty of instant death, but the amazing, eerie atmosphere and sensible checkpointing more than made up for the frustration.

The game was also known as Out Of This World in the US, and was later ported (with varying degrees of success) to the Atari ST, Sega Genesis/Megadrive, Super Nintendo, 3DO and even the PC. If you want to play it in its original glory we definitely advise checking out the Amiga version, though.

Nicolas Hamel, the CEO of Magic Productions said: "the development of Another World on mobile devices was a challenge because of its powerful display engine and gameplay. We had to be very careful that the game would be playable and fun on actual mobile phones. We are very proud of the finished title and believe it runs almost as well as the original."

For more information, head to Mobygames website.

Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (17) Latest comment 7 years ago

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  • octo #1 7 years ago

    Cool. I liked this game alot and never did finish it. Of course Flashback was also excellent. Ahhh remember when rotoscoping was cool?

  • Blerk #2 7 years ago

    Old-timers will recall that the game puts you in the shoes of young nuclear scientist

    Old timers? Bah - youngsters remember Another World! ;-)

    Anyway - still a fabbo game, although I fear for its playability on mobile phone keys. You really need fast reactions to get through this one, and every phone I've tried has been terrible for gaming.

  • JHuxley #3 7 years ago

    For anyone interested, the original authors gave their kind permission for the release of an excellent freeware version for the GP32 which you can download here: http://www.dis tant-earth.co.uk/awgp32/

    It's still one of the most beautiful 16-bit games ever made, IMHO.

  • DB2k #4 7 years ago

    weird.. I was thinking about this game last weekend and wondering if it would work on a phone.. I didn't think so.. now I will find out I guess.. I see they are working on a SCUMM version too which I will definately get ..

  • #5 7 years ago

    I WANT THIS ON MY DS!

    k!

  • Teeth #6 7 years ago

    Fantastic stuff - Blerk, you got your obligatory link to the GBA version?

  • Blerk #7 7 years ago

    I WANT THIS ON MY DS!

    And you can have it. If you have a GBA flash cart you can, anyway.

    Official Page

  • kalel #8 7 years ago

    It’s funny. I seem to remember this game getting absolutely slated when it first came out. It was all style over substance, and had a very shaky Dragon’s Lair-esque game mechanic that lead to a load of really shittty reviews. Of course, like all these things it had a bit of a cult following, but it was Flashback that took the same styling and put it into a really decent game. Amazing how in retrospect everyone’s raving about it all of a sudden. As I remember it, it was a total dog.

  • Captain Fetid #9 7 years ago

    It was a great game. One of the best game endings too.

    I didn't see it being slated when it appeared though. We must have been reading different magazines back in the day.

    What's that Mr. Chahi doing now then?

  • JHuxley #10 7 years ago

    "and had a very shaky Dragon’s Lair-esque game mechanic that lead to a load of really shittty reviews"

    That's a bit of an unfair comparison. The core gameplay of AW involves platforms, shooting and puzzles. Not at all like the up, down, left 'gameplay' of Dragon's Lair. Granted, Flashback was probably the better game but AW is no slouch either.

  • Blerk #11 7 years ago

    I've never seen a review of it. I saw it running in a computer shop in Sheffield waaaaaaaaaaaay back when it first came out and just knew I had to have it.

  • Tweakmonkey #12 7 years ago

    I can't imagine how this will be received by today's happy-slapping youth. It was too hard for me back in the day, so I imagine it will be even more difficult on a mobile.

  • regmund #13 7 years ago

    It looked great on the Amiga, i remember just loading up the demo i had from an Amiga Format cover disk all the the time just to watch that cool intro.. But that was all i wanted to do with it 'cos it played horribly :(

  • the_angry_monkey #14 7 years ago

    I owned this for the A500 - beautiful intro for the time but the gameplay was mor than a little frustrating imo. Lets just hope this trend for remakes casues LUCAS ARTS to look again at GRIM FANDANGO or MONKEY ISLAND or something!!! :D

  • O-Fox #15 7 years ago

    Is this by the same bloke that dreamed up Heart of Darkness?

  • El_MUERkO #16 7 years ago

    I got to a bit near the end on a bridge and I had a friendly enemy dood and there was shooting and then I hoped on a flying thing and my mate died and it was sad :(

    I loved that game, i loved flashback too but I could only get to the jungle planet then I got stuck.

  • Peekaboo #17 7 years ago

    Erm, in the ending I remember your mate saves your ass and picks your mortally wounded body up and carries you onto a flying beastie that takes you away to the cancelled sequel.......