1994 · The Vision Factory · Action · Platformer

The Apprentice

The Apprentice is a plain old platform game. As Marvin, a wizard's apprentice, your master Mr. Wandburner gives you a series of tasks to complete, spread out on six levels with three stages each, taking place on land, in the sea and in the air. In order to make your life in the aquatic levels easier, the wizard will turn you into a frog.

Released: 1 January 1994
Platforms: CD-i Philips CD-i
Genres: Action Platformer
Developers: The Vision Factory
Publishers: Koninklijke Philips NV
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action Fantasy
Country: Netherlands
Age ratings: ESRB E
Time to beat: 3hmain story4hwith extras6hcompletionist

About

The Apprentice is a 1994 vertically scrolling platform game developed by The Vision Factory and published by Philips Interactive Media in North America and Europe exclusively for the Philips CD-i. The first title to be created by The Vision Factory for the CD-i platform, the game is set on a fantasy setting inside the castle of wizard Gandorf S. Wandburner III, as players assume the role of young apprentice magician Marvin in order to complete a series of tasks given by his master while facing multiple mischiefs and creatures along the way.

Headed by Steel Machine artist Luke S. Verhulst alongside longtime God of War programmer Tim Moss, The Apprentice was created by most of the same team that previously worked on several projects at SPC Vision and who would later go on to work at one of its offshoots before the company declared bankruptcy in 2002.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The Apprentice is a vertically scrolling platform game where players assume the role of young apprentice magician Marvin in order to complete a series of tasks given by his master wizard Gandorf S. Wandburner III, while facing multiple mischiefs and creatures along the way. At the end of each stage, a boss must be fought in order to progress further, while bonus stages are also introduced as well.

Development

The Apprentice was created by most of the same team that previously worked on several projects at SPC Vision and who would later go on to work at one of its offshoots before the company declared bankruptcy in 2002. Its creation was helmed by producers Luke S. Verhulst and Tim Moss, with both sharing multiple roles during development respectively. The soundtrack was composed by Joost Egmond, while the sound effects were created by Joris de Man. Several other people also collaborated in its production.

A former member of the team recounted on his personal web page about most of the techniques used during the game's development cycle. The title was released in North American and European markets in 1994, featuring artwork by Dennis Zopfi on the cover arts of each region.

Reception

The Apprentice was met with positive reception from critics since its release and has been regarded in recent years to be a standout title for the CD-i. Betty Hallock of VideoGames: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine gave positive remarks in regards to the graphics, sound and gameplay. French magazine Joystick gave the title an overall rating of 81%.