Animaniacs The Great Edgar Hunt
Game Type: Released
Max Players: 1
Genre: Action-adventure
Developers: Warthog Games
Publishers: Ignition Entertainment
Cooperative: No
PEGI: U
Game Overview
Hollywood is in an uproar the Edgar awards for films have been stolen! The culprit is none other than C.C. Deville, who is threatening to melt down the Edgars unless he gets a ten picture deal from Warner Bros.! Deville arrives in his airship, but accidentally crashes into the Water Tower, scattering the Edgars across the various movie lot and freeing Yakko, Wakko, and Dot at the same time. Help the Warners reclaim the Edgars! Animaniacs: The Great Edgar Hunt is a 3D platformer where the player controls Yakko, Wakko, and Dot. Each character has their own special skills that can be unlocked as players progress through the game. For example, Dot can limbo under low walls, Wakko can dig tunnels in soft earth, and Yakko can bomb weak walls. Players progress further through the game by collecting Edgar awards which open up more areas in the Warner Movie Lots. There are also 300 collectibles in each world; players are awarded one Edgar at 150 collectibles and another at 300. In addition to this, there are also bonus mini games guest starring Pinky and The Brain. Each of their short games features another failed attempt at world domination. The game also has the original cast of the cartoon reprising their roles for the game. There are also plenty of movie parodies, and it also takes the opportunity to riff a couple of video games as well.
Introduction to the Great Edgar Hunt
Animaniacs: The Great Edgar Hunt is a lighthearted and humorous platformer that brings the beloved Warner siblings, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot, into an original adventure. The game’s plot revolves around the theft of the prestigious Edgar awards, which are statuettes presented to the best actors and directors in Hollywood. The villain of the story, C.C. Deville, an eccentric film director, has stolen all the Edgars in a bid to disrupt the ceremony and hold the awards hostage for his own sinister purposes. In response, the Animaniacs Yakko, Wakko, and Dot are tasked with recovering the stolen Edgars and saving the ceremony.
The trio of Warner siblings must traverse through six different movie-themed worlds, each one uniquely designed to parody various film genres, including pirate adventures, the Wild West, and sci-fi. Their journey is filled with slapstick humor, clever dialogue, and fourth-wall-breaking moments, staying true to the signature style of the Animaniacs franchise. As players control the Warner siblings, they use their distinct abilities to solve puzzles, battle enemies, and collect the stolen Edgars scattered across these creative landscapes. The game’s plot is driven by its whimsical tone, combining adventure with the cartoonish charm that fans have come to expect from the Animaniacs.
C.C. Deville’s Villainous Plot
C.C. Deville, the antagonist of The Great Edgar Hunt, is a vain and self-obsessed director who becomes enraged when he is denied an Edgar award. In retaliation, he hatches a plot to steal every Edgar statuette, hoping to sabotage the awards ceremony and force Hollywood to recognize his "genius." Deville’s villainous scheme is built on his love for cinematic grandeur, and he hides the stolen Edgars across several themed movie sets in an effort to stop anyone from reclaiming them. His plan puts the entire entertainment industry in jeopardy, and it is up to the Warner siblings to foil his plan before Hollywood descends into chaos.
Deville’s plan includes a series of henchmen and traps that make recovering the Edgars more difficult for Yakko, Wakko, and Dot. The game portrays him as an over-the-top, melodramatic villain who is more focused on theatricality than true villainy, a portrayal that aligns perfectly with the playful and exaggerated world of the *Animaniacs*. His interactions with the Warner siblings are filled with comedic moments, adding a layer of entertainment to the game’s central conflict. As the trio battles through each film set, they are continually confronted by Deville’s plans to delay their progress, heightening the stakes of their mission.
Exploring Movie-Themed Worlds
A key element of Animaniacs: The Great Edgar Hunt is the variety of movie-themed worlds that the Warner siblings explore in their quest to recover the Edgars. Each world is a creative and humorous parody of a specific film genre, and within these worlds, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot encounter genre-specific enemies, puzzles, and environments. From pirate ships on the high seas to dusty saloons in the Wild West, each level offers a fresh experience, both in terms of visuals and gameplay mechanics.
The Warner siblings use their unique abilities to navigate these worlds and solve challenges specific to each environment. Yakko uses his wit and intelligence to outsmart enemies and puzzles, Wakko relies on his physical strength and appetite for comedic gags, and Dot charms her way through various obstacles. The game encourages players to switch between the characters to overcome challenges, emphasizing teamwork between the Warner siblings. The vibrant, varied settings ensure that the adventure never feels repetitive, and the movie-inspired themes offer a fun homage to the world of cinema. These worlds provide a perfect backdrop for the Animaniacs’ chaotic and humorous antics.
The Quest to Collect the Stolen Edgars
The primary objective in The Great Edgar Hunt is for Yakko, Wakko, and Dot to recover all the stolen Edgars hidden across the six movie-themed worlds. Each world contains a set number of Edgars, which the Warner siblings must find by solving puzzles, completing platforming challenges, and defeating bosses. The quest to collect the Edgars is central to the game’s structure, as players must fully explore each world and interact with the environment in order to find every hidden statuette. Along the way, the Warner siblings collect various items and unlock abilities that aid them in their quest.
Throughout the game, the Warner siblings are confronted by Deville’s henchmen, who serve as mini-bosses in each world. These encounters add excitement to the plot, with each boss fight presenting new challenges and requiring different strategies. The Edgars themselves are often hidden in clever ways, encouraging players to thoroughly explore each environment and use the Warner siblings’ abilities creatively. As they progress, players witness the gradual unraveling of C.C. Deville’s plot, with each recovered Edgar bringing them closer to thwarting his scheme and restoring order to Hollywood.
Final Showdown and Conclusion
The game culminates in a final showdown between the Warner siblings and C.C. Deville in his grandiose movie studio. After collecting all the stolen Edgars, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot confront Deville in a dramatic and humorous boss battle, where his obsession with cinematic spectacle reaches its peak. The final battle plays out like a climactic movie scene, with the siblings using their combined skills to outwit and defeat Deville once and for all. True to the Animaniacs style, the final confrontation is filled with jokes, slapstick humor, and over-the-top action sequences that maintain the lighthearted tone of the game.
Once Deville is defeated, the Warner siblings return the stolen Edgars to their rightful place, saving the awards ceremony and restoring order to Hollywood. The game ends with a celebratory sequence, where Yakko, Wakko, and Dot take a bow for their heroic efforts, cementing their place as the unlikely saviors of the entertainment industry. The conclusion offers a satisfying wrap-up to the story, with Deville’s plot foiled and the Warner siblings emerging victorious. Animaniacs: The Great Edgar Hunt* closes with the signature charm and comedic flair that defines the Animaniacs franchise.
Conclusion
Animaniacs: The Great Edgar Hunt is a whimsical and entertaining adventure that perfectly captures the spirit of the beloved animated series. The game’s plot, centered on the Warner siblings' quest to recover the stolen Edgar awards, offers a fun and engaging journey through various movie-themed worlds. The characters’ unique abilities, combined with clever level design and humorous interactions with the villainous C.C. Deville, keep the gameplay dynamic and entertaining throughout.
The plot emphasizes humor, teamwork, and adventure, staying true to the Animaniacs’ playful and irreverent tone. With its engaging narrative, diverse settings, and a healthy dose of slapstick comedy, The Great Edgar Hunt stands out as a delightful entry in the world of platform games. It provides fans of the Animaniacs with an interactive experience that mirrors the charm and chaos of the show, making it a memorable and enjoyable adventure for players of all ages.
