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A little French number to make Buzby blush

This is a slightly risque, but fun, addition to Firebird's growing silver range -- they bought it from the French and it shows.

Essentially there is only one screen although, as you will see, there is some important off-screen action. The screen is the inside of the hen-house, complete with nests, grain, and a door to the hen's 'boudoir'.

You control a cockerel and must do all things that cockerels like to do: eat grain, peck at rats and worms, and um, well . . . take part in the aforementioned off-screen action which you instigate by moving through the door to the boudoir after Madame hen.

While in there a jolly tune plays, and red hearts appear on screen -- up to a total of ten if you wait long enough! Mon ami, what can zis mean? Then the cockerel staggers out (yes, literally) and must eat the grain lying around. This will give him further vigour and speed for chasing off nasties and, er, doing other things.

Meanwhile Madame lays her eggs in the nests at the top of the screen (there are ten nests in all). These must be allowed to hatch and need to be protected from the various predators in the vicinity. Snakes, rats, hedgehogs, stoats and racoons are all after your pride and joy.

The snakes are the fastest of the group and are a real pain. All of these nasties can be driven off with a swift peck, but increase in number and speed as your score rises.

If all ten nests should become empty -- through either all the eggs hatching or being stolen -- then Madame won't be too amused and will let the cockerel have it with her rolling pin.

Occasionally a worm makes an appearance from below ground, and a hefty bonus is awarded if it's caught before disappearing.

The graphical representation of the inside of a hen-house is very good. The sprites too are good and, although large and a little blocky, effective. Another high point is the great title screen picture of a winking cockerel. The sound effects and tunes are as good as the graphics, and are put to good use throughout the game.

Oh, and I mustn't forget the game instructions which brilliantly and humourously reflect the game's French origins. Ohh la la. Ees magnifique!

GP


PRESENTATION
71% These French people write hilarious instructions!

ORIGINALITY
85% Wonderful scenario with some really whacko gameplay.

GRAPHICS
72% Good animation on all characters but what goes on behind the door?

HOOKABILITY
84% Marvellous humour and great action!

SOUND
68% Cute little sound effects all round and a tune.

LASTABILITY
67% Gets hard as the animals flood in but a trifle monotonous.

VALUE FOR MONEY
79% Great impact and excellent high scoring potential.