The_Heist-NH_Soft Commodore 64 game

"Heist: The Museum Mission" is a game that seamlessly blends espionage with platform challenges, creating an engaging experience for players. Despite the game's name suggesting a focus on theft, the Coleco Vision version presents a surprising twist. Players take on the role of Graham Crackers, a superhero on an espionage mission to locate a micro-camera containing highly classified information hidden within the artworks of a museum's 90 rooms. The overarching mission is to collect all the artworks, making the contract a "License to Steal."

Design: The game features a typical platform genre without scrolling, with players transitioning between rooms as they navigate through the museum. With three levels, each comprising 10 screens and two difficulty levels, the graphics are vibrant, and sprite and object animations are smooth. The background sound is modest, consisting of whistles, clicks, beeps, and various noises, creating a simple yet effective auditory backdrop. Notably, the absence of a high score adds a unique touch to the gaming experience.

Hints: The Museum Tour, a brief demo showcasing the rooms of the first level, offers a glimpse of objects present in higher levels. The demo, replayed until a key or the fire button is pressed, serves as an introduction to the game environment.

The Game: To progress through a level, players must collect all artworks within a time limit. However, challenges arise with an activated alarm system, patrolling robots, and active alarm trigger buttons. Gaps between floors pose a fatal risk, and keys are essential for opening locked doors. Escalators and lifts provide strategic movement options, enhancing gameplay.

Controls: The game's controls are straightforward, with a random key or the fire button initiating a new game. The pause function (F5) allows players to take a break, while walking, jumping, and using elevators and escalators are executed seamlessly with the joystick.

Points: Players earn points for various actions, such as picking up keys and artworks, opening doors, and disabling monitors. The point system adds an extra layer of reward to the gameplay.

Reviews: Player reviews on the C64-Wiki and Lemon64 platforms offer varied perspectives, with an average rating of 6.64 points from 14 votes on C64-Wiki, ranking 578. A "very good" rating is given by C64Games, citing playability and overall enjoyment.

H.T.W's review provides a balanced perspective, expressing initial skepticism about the game's story but acknowledging its appeal after extended gameplay. Despite lacking background music and extravagant graphics, the game's playability, coupled with well-implemented concepts like escalators and elevators, contributes to an enjoyable experience.

In conclusion, "Heist: The Museum Mission" successfully combines espionage storytelling with engaging platform challenges. The game's design, controls, and point system contribute to an enjoyable gaming experience, as reflected in both community reviews and individual perspectives.