Tomba!
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| Tomba! | |
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| Developer(s) | Whoopee Camp |
| Publisher(s) | Whoopee Camp Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Release date(s) | JP December 25, 1997 NA July 22, 1998 PAL August 28, 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ELSPA: 3+ ESRB: E (Everyone) OFLC (AU): G USK: All ages |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
Tomba! (Tombi! in Europe, Ore! Tomba in Japan) is a side-scrolling adventure game created by Whoopee Camp Co. Ltd. for the Sony PlayStation. Tomba! was followed by a sequel titled Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return. The imaginative atmosphere and innovative gameplay of Tomba! has continued to keep it nostalgically popular with gamers.
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[edit] Gameplay
[edit] Mission System
The game is based around a mission system, where the main character's skills are employed to complete various tasks. Completion of a mission gives a certain amount of adventurer points (AP) which are required for food and items. Not all missions are necessary to progress in the game, however they are required to achieve full completion.
[edit] Plot
[edit] Setting
Tomba! is set on a group of islands in the middle of the ocean. These islands don't appear on any map. Formed with large provinces in the north and smaller islands in the south, the islands were home to a peaceful people who lived in tranquillity for many years. It was home to birds and planatage, however, the magic of The Evil Koma Pigs replaced them with stranger and darker forms.
[edit] Story
You play the role of an energetic pink-haired youth named Tomba. Tomba's island was once a beautiful, peaceful place. However, seven evil pigs appeared, and using their magical powers, they mutated the surroundings into a bizarre landscape. The underlings of The Evil Pigs, called the Koma Pigs, stole Tomba's grandfather's bracelet and a plethora of gold through a strange lust for it.
Tomba is on a quest to retrieve the bracelet, which requires vanquishing the Evil Pigs along the way. Trapping them involves finding Evil Pig Bags, keys to entering each realm of each Evil Pig. When Tomba confronts an Evil Pig, he can throw and seal them into their Evil Pig Bag. He must also complete missions for other people and areas to get items and Evil Pig Bags. Some side-missions are purely for fun and irrelevant to the Evil Pigs storyline.
[edit] Characters
- Tomba (トンバ?) — The main protagonist. He travels the continent looking for signs of the Pigs, and the Bracelet. He wears nothing but shorts, and has neon-pink hair which seems to attract attention from characters throughout the game. He is known as Tombi in the PAL region.
- Charles (サンタ?) — A monkey with a knack for getting into trouble. At one stage, he loses his pants. He teaches various skills to help you in your adventure. He is normally located in a hidden area, and will often ask for something before teaching a skill. Interestingly, his Japanese name is the same as that of Santa Claus.
- Old Men of Time — Four old sages, who own different keys (for various treasure chests) and bells (which can bring Tomba to their huts). They help Tomba wih his adventure. The first man Tomba encounters is the Hundred Year Old Man (百年老人?)
- Yan of the Hidden Village (隠れ里のヤン?) — A boy who plays hide and seek with you. If you find him, he gives information about your adventure.
- Mizuno the Cute Witch — Give her ingredients for her candy and she will reward you.
- The Phoenix — Now old and weak, The Phoenix still tries to give rides to those in need.
- The Ol' Tree of Knowledge — You must press the water pumps down to revitalise the tree. The tree speaks to Tomba via a parrot.
- Dwarves (ドワーフ?) — Gentle folks who live in the Dwarf Forest. They work tirelessly in the Watch Tower.
- Baron- a dog whom you have to rescue and heal with healing herbs. After he is fully healed, you can use him for flying to anywhere you have visited, and takes the place of the Charity Wings.
- Masakari — People who live in Masakari Jungle. They are put under a spell to become hostile to those who tread on their land.
[edit] Monsters
- Koma Pig (コマブタ?) — A pink pig with a red pitchfork, the Koma Pigs are the first enemies encountered by Tomba.
- Kokka Bird (コッカ?) — A large bird which protects eggs in the Village of All Beginnings.
- Biting Plant (かみつき草?) — A grass root that attacks with its egg-shaped mouth whenever touched.
- Needlegator (ハリゲーター?) — A blue alligator. Its red shell has sharp yellow thorns sticking out of it.
- Bosungee — Monsters who float about the Mushroom Forest. They resemble gigantic, one-eyed jellyfish. There is a purple species and a harder and stronger yellow species.
- The Evil Pigs — A group of seven pigs created by The Real Evil Pig. Each pig has a certain color:
- Red — Started the winds on Stormy Mountain. His magic casting is stronger than any other pig.
- Orange — Transformed the residents of Baccus Village into mice.
- Yellow — Flooded Trick Village. He fights in an underwater arena.
- Green — Made the Lava Cave's fire rise higher
- Blue — Created the forest spores.
- Navy — The only female Evil Pig, she made the Masakari residents hostile.
- Pink — Transformed the Mansion on Baccus Lake.
- The Real Evil Pig — The boss of all Pigs who personally guards a hoard of gold on his pig-head island. He commands all of the other Pigs and is believed to be the most powerful, yet the only magic he displays is freezing Tomba in time for a few seconds. His inability to induce damage to Tomba (excluding contact) and the lack of environmental hazards in his area make him a relatively easy final boss, the only challenge being having to endure sealing him away three times.
[edit] Reception
Despite almost universally positive reviews [1], Tomba! only sold moderately well (it failed to acquire Greatest Hits/Platinum Status). It gained a sequel, but Whoopee Camp shortly went out of business afterwards.
However, in gaming circles that game has reached cult status, often appearing in "best games you never played" lists and has become highly sought-after by collectors. Second hand copies on eBay easily reach retail prices, despite being nearly ten years old.
