Looney Tunes Sheep Raider, the hunt for sheep is on!

If I were a boomer, I would definitely say it like this. But, hypothetically speaking, if you had lived a childhood like mine, seasoned by the awful time signal of Tg5 that inevitably announced it was time to go to school and be quizzed, then you would know what I’m talking about. Because before the time signal, before school, there was Ralph the wolf trying everything he could to gobble up the flock’s sheep, only to inevitably fail because of his arch-enemy, the shepherd dog Sam!

The two co-workers on the farm (in more than one episode, both can be seen punching the clock before returning to their respective roles as predator and guard) were so successful within the world of Looney Tunes, the diverse and highly successful animated universe led by Bugs Bunny, that Infogrames decided to set in motion a video game based on their eternal rivalry!

Sheep, Dog ‘n’ Wolf, released in our country with the title Ralph the wolf attacks, came out in 2001 for PlayStation, one of the last platform titles to see the light on the first version of Sony's dynasty.

Il concept of this title, I was saying, revolves around Ralph’s often clumsy attempts to snatch the poor sheep guarded by Sam, the red-tufted dog, a sort of furry Bud Spencer who not once allowed his rival friend to reach his woolly goals: the intro of Sheep Raider, however, changes the cards on the table and none other than Daffy Duck, in a Stanley Tucci from Hunger Games version, names the unlucky wolf as the main contestant in a new televised game show in which he will have to steal the sheep with the support of the equipment provided by Acme, the multinational from which Wile E. Coyote also often and willingly “borrows” as well. And this brings us to make a fundamental clarification: despite being practically identical in appearance, Ralph and Wile are by no means the same character, a shocking truth destined to overturn every previous conviction of yours… just as it did with mine when I found out!

Essendo un platform scattered with puzzles to solve, Sheep Raider makes fun and absurd, humorous situations the core of its gameplay: we will move Ralph mainly around the pen where the famous sheep to be swiped are gathered, but it is by interacting with trees, boulders, and Acme tools that we will reveal the potential of the Infogrames title. The 3D architecture of the game levels is really well done, as are the polygonal models of Ralph and the numerous cameos by guest stars of Daffy Duck’s caliber, already mentioned, but also Taddeo and many old acquaintances who will stir up a feeling of nostalgia that is difficult to contain.

If you think that stealing sheep is a game for little wolves, you are very much mistaken: try carrying one on your shoulders with Sam at close range in front of you and in no time at all he’ll give you a smack that you’ll remember for a long time.

Ralph for sure, in any case.

Dovrete use wit and intelligence, rather than paws and fangs, if you want to get the better of Ralph’s archenemy and win the contest: the idea of wandering around the program’s studios to select the game levels is nice, as are the varied stratagems to be put into action to bring home the bacon, uh, we meant the sheep! Dangerous and unstable bridges, lava-filled dungeons and breathtaking views, all this is Sheep Raider and even more (I don’t want to reveal anything else so as not to spoil the plot, which has a couple of pretty good surprises toward the end), a hidden gem tucked away in the folds of PlayStation’s glorious past that I recommend you track down.

Ideal if you have trouble falling asleep, after all it is well known that counting sheep helps.

But first you have to catch them.