Wolfchild

Wolfchild is a computer game of the so-called scrolling shooter type. It was released for the Amiga and the Atari ST by Core Design in 1992. It was later released for the SNES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega CD, Sega Master System, and Sega Game Gear.

The plot revolves around biotechnology researcher Kal Morrow and his son Saul. When the former is kidnapped by the evil Chimera organization, Saul uses one of his father's inventions to turn himself into a wolf-human hybrid (similar to a werewolf) that may be capable of defeating Chimera.

Wolfchild was designed by Simon Phipps, also responsible for the earlier Switchblade 2, a rather similar game. The action is viewed from the side and scrolls in eight directions. The player must guide Saul through five levels, negotiating platforms and shooting various monsters, the result of Chimera experiments. Initially, the player character is Saul in his normal, human form. Only when enough energy has been collected does he turn into a wolf-human, giving him much better attack techniques.

Reviewer Gary Whitta gave the Amiga version a score of 905 (out of a possible 1000), praising its animation, speed and responsiveness, and generally deeming it executed better than Switchblade 2.

References

• Whitta, Gary (January 1992). Wolfchild. ACE (UK magazine published by EMAP), p. 68–73.