Despite its short length, Capcom's latest is an enjoyable Duck-blur.
WayForward does a splendid job recreating the TV show's vibe for the game. The graphics are terrific, mixing beautiful hand-drawn animation with sharp 3D backgrounds, each of which resemble what we've come to expect from each area you visit. The classic level design is back as well, and though that means you'll beat each level quickly, it's fun to rediscover all the old areas. The new boss battles are enjoyable, too, and add a twist to the proceedings.
As for the audio, it's top notch. Alan Young leads a solid voice cast as McDuck, and whatever actors couldn't come from the original show, they're filled in by quality people who make their characters sound just as good as ever. The sound effects from the original game are intact as well, including Scrooge's classic cane hop noise. But it's Jake Kaufman's stellar soundtrack that will stick with you. He's taken the original tunes from the game and remixed them with great aplomb. You'll want to download this soundtrack right after you hear it – that's a sign it's a really good one.
As for the gameplay, it's vintage DuckTales. You can take out enemies (most of them, anyway), by bopping on heads with your cane or using a golf club swing to knock objects into them. The controls are very responsive, and the cane hop has been simplified a bit, with the press of a button to start it in mid-air. There are some areas that are challenging to get through, but that's just part of the DuckTales appeal. You can also bump up the difficulty if you think it's too much of a cakewalk.
