Glover is a platform game that follows a four-fingered glove with magical powers.
Plot
Critics
Glover received mixed reviews. Most critics stated that the game was very bland and suffered from awkward controls.
Gameplay
In addition to your standard bouncing balls, Glover -- being a magician of sorts, also possesses the ability to transform his balls. And yes, we're aware of the wording. For example, the regular rubber ball can be turned into a bowling ball, iron ball, or a crystal ball that gives players double-points, but prone to shattering. And that's to say nothing of the game's various assortment of hidden balls. From big to small, hard and soft, the balls are a plenty. Each ball is designed to be used for specific scenarios. For example, the rubber ball is prime for dribbling and bouncing to high platforms and, because it's filled with air, it floats atop water. The bowling ball, on the other hand, can be used to break just about any crate or defeat any enemy.The mechanics can be a little confusing at first, especially mastering Glover's ball movements. But once the control-scheme is mastered, it all works quite nicely and it's easy to recognize the innovation. In fact, the unique glove-ball scheme is the most refreshing gameplay mechanics enhancement for a 3D platformer we've witnessed in some time. Imagine Marble Madness. Now imagine Marble Madness with a glove and balls. You've got some imagination -- and that's exactly what Glover is. The only problem is that, partially because of framerates but mostly because of jerky control, Glover sometimes feels unresponsive. That said, Glover still controls exceptionally well and, had this game only been a technology demo showing off a level or two, it would have been a load of fun just navigating the gloved-one around.
The game's levels, a mixture of Super Mario 64-esque 3D worlds filled with cheery colors and simplistically designed enemies, are well-made if not a tad difficult at times. Themes range from prehistoric times to carnival-like and space-age. Each "world" features three sub-levels, a boss and a bonus level. The boss battles and bonus levels again feature changed gameplay mechanics, such as navigation of a maze, rolling away from a wall of fire, or shooting balls at targets. In the main game, the object, like any 3D platformer, is to make it through each level solving various puzzles and the like. Glover features the added element of having decide which ball to use at any given time and then executing it correctly. For example, transforming your rubber ball into a bowling ball while on water will cause it to sink, the crystal will gain you extra points, and the iron ball is necessary if you want to transport it from one place to the other via a magnet. In some levels, Interactive Studios also throws snow into the equation. As you roll the ball through the winter landscape, snow will stick to it and slowly increase it in size until it's impossible to roll any further. Apart from being a great effect, it influences gameplay as the snow prevents you from turning the ball into another form. The game is full of such clever details, which is why we recommend it over other third-party platformers like Gex or Chameleon Twist.
| Game Name | Glover |
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| Genres |
Add a new genre
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| Original US Release |
Oct. 31, 1998
need a fuzzy date? |
| Original US Release |
1998 know the real date? |
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| ESRB |
ESRB: E
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