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This new Jaguar CD title begs the question: Are you ready to rule a nation of cartoonish bald mutants? If you're prepared, then check out this hilarious (yet strangely cruel) action/strategy game. The Baldies are a group of people trying to establish a viable society comprised of workers, builders, soldiers and scientists (nope, no teachers, policement or hookers). It's up to you to guide the Baldies who live, work, play and go to war at your beck and call.

It's like a cross between Lemmings and Populous in that you sit around and manipulate the tiny people on the screen, but it has more chaos. Drop a skunk into a rival's house and force him outside into a conveniently placed minefield. How many games let you do that? You use the builders to build (uhhh, what else?) and repair houses and castles. Soldiers are used to protect your fortress and fight against your foes. They also breed too! Scientists can invent stuff, like land mines to helicopters.

There are over 100 levels, tons of hidden features, and cute claymation movies between levels. Control is ok; the cursor is in the shape of a hand, but sometimes it's difficult to point to an object, but since there isn't a mouse or trakball controller on the Jag, that has to be expected I guess. I'm confused, however, as to why Baldies had to be on the Jaguar CD, other than to give the CD library a boost. It could easily have been done on a 4MB cartridge. The cinemas are terrible and completely unnecessary if you ask me. It won't be remembered as a top-notch game in the way that Civilization, Lemmings or even Cannon Fodder are, but it's a decent diversion that'll keep you busy for a while, at least until you get rid of all the dudes with hair.


Title Baldies
Publisher Atari
System Atari Jaguar CD
Graphics 6
Sound 6
Gameplay 7
Overall 7
Reviewer Keita Iida