SOME PEOPLE would say that trying to produce a computer game based on a cult TV show is asking for trouble. When that show is Monty Python, it is more like asking for a dead parrot to be stuffed in your ear. Despite this rather unwholesome possibility, Monty Python is indeed the subject of a new game.

The story revolves around Gumby (John Cleese lookalike) and his search for a brain. The search involves traversing a number of levels in which you explode cheeses, collect food (spam, eggs, sausage and beans of course), fend off nasties and face the ubiquitous end of level guardian, all armed with a couple of whiffy wet fish. But do not be fooled. Behind this boringly normal scenario lies a game which will have even confirmed Python haters like me (!) hooked. The game is a great send up of itself and the whole gaming world.

For instance, have you ever watched an opening sequence where the head of the character you are about to become, opens up and his brain makes a dash for the wide blue yonder? Have you ever played a game where the horrible, awesome, powerful end of level guardian is a Minister of the Church? Have you ever started a game with a score of 99,999,999 and tried to loose as many points as possible, in order to earn a place on the "extremely sily scores" board? Has your dear, sweet Amiga ever farted at you before? Thought not.

From the very first screen you will know that this is no ordinary game. Gumby's progress under falling 16 ton weights is followed closely by what can only be described as a bush on legs. What it was up to I have no idea. But I am sure it did not either. After that, things go from zany to zanier.

Most of the time Gumby travels between screens in the usual way. Occasionally, however, he will find himself in a sort of "preparation" zone, where his head is disengaged from his body (with a satisfying ploink), and attracted to something more suitable - a fish, or a spring for example. Once the operation is over, a mechanical prodder shoves him off in the right direction.

Monty Python is full of the unexpected. Just when you think you have got the hang of things, the screen will go blank and you will get a "Game Over" message. Hang on, I had two lives left! The #@!$#@ machine popped its dongle again! But then a message will appear apologising for the break in your game, and telling you that normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. Suddenly a flickery black and white breakout clone appears on screen. Another apoloy and play is resumed. I tell you all of this not to loose lives just to see the infamous foot descend and crush poor Gumby.

To spoil you run, because believe me, there are many more things like this awaiting you, but because the first time it happened to me I laughed so much I lost the two lives I had left immediately.

Monty Python is a good piece of entertainment. It is one of the few games where you will actually try laughing at yourself is a cathartic experience, and we do not do enough of it in this industry. My only complaint is that the game is a bit on the difficult side. If it were a normal arcade game, I might say it was a bit easy, but trying to concentrate on reaching the end of the level when falling off your chair with laughter is bound to loose a number of lives.
Mrs GettyGooseGreen Creature Vogel

For the past 21 years, the world has been entertained by such barmy antics as silly walks, spam-eating Vikings and my all time favourite, the 'How Not To Be Seen' documentary. After the success of the books, films and videos it was only a matter of time before someone attempted to produce a computer game of the famous Python television shows. Virgin were the softcos that dared to dip a toe in the water and recruited Core Design to develop the game for them. It was always going to be a difficult licence to attempt, but both companies have aquitted themselves admirably. The original feel and humour of the classic shows has been captured in digital form and the game is rather fun.

R.B. Gumby (he of the curved spine, miserable attitude and rolled up shirt sleeves) has lost his brains. The only way he can recover the four parts of his brain is to eat spam. 16 cans for each lump, to be precise. Of course, in a wacky world such as this, he cannot just walk into a shop and buy some. He has to undergo strange formations and travel through wacky landscapes, destroying cheeses and avoiding the deadly keep left signs. Sounds like Python? You betcha.

You begin, in Gumbyesque form, stood on a typical Gilliam hillside. Behind you is somebody who is not being seen (i.e. hidden in a bush). Walk forward a bit, and the game quickly cuts to one of many pointless, but very funny, interludes. For example, the first one tells you how to spot the Larch from a long way away. From there, poor ol' Gumby gets his head ripped off and stuck onto the body of a fish which has to travel along shooting dead parrots, policemen, the Spanish Inquisition and all sorts of other characters from the shows.

The game has three strengths: the graphics, the sound and the comedy. Visually, the game is almost perfect. All sprites are spot on when it comes to capturing Terry Gilliam's distinctive look, but some of the backdrops are a little bland. A particular favourite has to be the exploding cats on level 2 that sit around doing nothing in particular and suddenly explode when you approach.

The sound effects range from the unusual to the disgusting. Hear Gumby emit large belches upon eating spam. Chucle to John Cleese arguing with you in the Ministry of Pointless Arguments. Best of all is the end of the level, where are mad charlady reads off the list of goodies you have collected in a horrible high pitched voice.

Sadly, the humour flags. The game is not impressive enough to stand on its own. After a couple of runs through the first level, I soon found myself getting bored and, after you complete the game, I cannot see anybody ever going back and replaying it.

A good trip down memory lane, and worth playing if you are a true Pythonite, but to be honest I cannot really see the point in buying it. With stronger gameplay it would have been ideal but, as it stands, your money is better spent on a couple of Python videos.

Ah yes, the Silly Six from the classic BBC comedy series, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and the other one (that's Graham Chapman - Ed). The Python game concentrates on Palin's leading character, the loud, dim-witted Gumby. During routine surgery, our hanky-wearing hero's brain made a break for it, splitting into four pieces and escaping into the surreal Monty Python cartoon world. Unless he can retrieve all parts of his brain, Gumby's dreams of becoming a chartered accountant are dashed.

There are four levels, one for each brain segment, and during them Gumby takes four different forms. As himself, he hops around platforms, but he also floats around mazes of pipes as Gumbyfish, through the skies as Gumbybird and, in bonus rooms, is just a head on springy foot. Wherever and whatever he is, he has a limitless supply of fish to throw/fire at his adversaries, which include dead parrots, vikings on wheels, Silly Walk ministers and flying feet. Fired fish can also activate switches and destroy cheese blocks, often revealing energy-giving food or tins of Spam. If Gumby reaches the end of the level with sixteen tins, he's rewarded with a piece of brain.

In the Amiga version, there is a simple interpretation of the Argument Sketch between levels. Gumby faces John Cleese who says 'No it isn't!' and 'Yes, it is!" at random, the words appearing in speech bubbles to his left or right. Gumby must disagree with him using his own no/yes bubbles, each disagreement earning bonus points.