Titus the Fox: To Marrakech and Back

Titus the Fox: To Marrakech and Back is a platformer from the French studio Titus Software, in which the player, as the cunning fox Titus, tries to rescue his girlfriend, kidnapped by a villain named Xavier, on a journey that leads through city streets, industrial warehouses, and the exotic setting of North Africa all the way to Marrakech itself. The gameplay is built on classic jumping, collecting items, and throwing various objects - from cans to explosive bombs - at enemies, with levels full of hidden traps, secret rooms, and bonuses rewarding thorough exploration of every corner. Titus can also temporarily slow down time by grabbing a special bonus, which makes it easier for players to get through the toughest sections full of moving platforms and falling objects.

On the Atari ST, the game looks colorful and clean, with fluid animation of the main character and clear, though at times demanding, level design that requires precise jump timing over chasms and between moving platforms. The soundtrack is cheerful and energetic, matching the game's light-hearted, cartoonish tone, and together with simple but functional controls makes Titus the Fox a typical and well-liked representative of early-1990s European platformers. As the game progresses, the settings gradually shift from gray urban back alleys through factory halls full of machinery to desert landscapes, keeping the visuals varied even over a longer play session.

The game built on the earlier successes of Titus Software and became one of the best-known platforming mascots of the French gaming scene, later receiving a direct sequel and ports to many other contemporary platforms, including game consoles. On the Atari ST, it ranks among the solid, still-playable representatives of the genre, even though it isn't mentioned as often, overshadowed by bigger names like Rick Dangerous, despite offering a comparably honest helping of classic platforming fun and a pleasantly light, humorous tone that sets it apart from darker contemporaries in the genre.

Why play it: For fans of classic platformers looking for honest, light-hearted, humorous fun that lives in the shadow of bigger names like Rick Dangerous.