1991 Linel
Platforms: Amstrad CPC
The NeverEnding Story II was a film licence from Linel, based on the Warner Bros. film of the same name – the sequel to the popular 1985 film (although it is actually based on the second half of the original German story written by Michael Ende, but with a new ending).
Swiss publisher Linel got the rights to make a game based on this, but it only came out on the Amiga, Commodore 64, PC DOS and Spectrum. It was also due out on the Amstrad CPC – Amstrad Computer User “reviewed” it in their October 1991 issue.
Although it looks like they featured Amstrad screenshots, some of the game appears to be in full colour while other levels seem to be Spectrum-ported. Comparison of the screenshots with the other versions shows that they did use at least one Spectrum screenshot in the review.
Amstrad Action previewed the game in their September 1991 issue (issue 72), showcasing the same full-colour screenshot as ACU, so could it be possible they made use of shots provided by Linel? Adverts for the game mention a CPC version. Linel’s only other game for the CPC was a boxing title called The Champ. This also came out on the Spectrum, in addition to a puzzle game called Tilt (nothing like the Codemasters game of the same name).
According to Spectrum Computing, the Spectrum version was done by Christian Pennycate, who had worked on a few titles for Firebird and Codemasters on the CPC, but it is unknown if he did anything for the CPC version.
At least with this game, unlike Ocean’s adventure game based on the first film – you don’t have Limahl’s song on a never-ending loop… no pun intended. Is it possible that anything of the CPC version has survived?
FRANK – “It looks like both magazines were given static screenshots to use – as the swimming level is identical in both. That suggests that Amstrad Computer User may have reviewed screenshots and not an actual game, as Patrick alludes above. My money would be on Christian Pennycate being the developer – so fingers crossed they can be tracked down to learn more. Also – as a side note – the PC DOS version has a hidden rant from the developer which is worth a read :)”
With thanks to Stephen Stuttard , Diskman Presents for the PC DOS correction + link and Archive.org for scans.
Gallery
This game was also released on PC (DOS), which you neglected to mention. It includes a hidden rant from a Linel employee in one of the files, too: Check it out on the TCRF (The Cutting Room Floor) website. ;)
Ah thanks for the heads up! I’ll add about the platform now and will mention the hidden text :)