Classic Games

Head Over Heels

Two heads are better than one

Jon Ritman and Bernie Drummond's isometric masterpiece split control between two characters with complementary abilities.

SpectrumC64Amiga puzzleisometricspectrum-essential 1987–2024

Overview

Head Over Heels took the isometric formula Jon Ritman had pioneered in Batman and added a twist: two characters with different abilities who needed to work together. Head could jump high and control objects; Heels ran fast and carried items. Separate or combined, they explored an interconnected world to free the enslaved planets.

Fast facts

  • Developers: Jon Ritman (code), Bernie Drummond (graphics).
  • Publisher: Ocean Software.
  • Release: 1987.
  • Platforms: Spectrum (original), C64, Amstrad, Atari ST, Amiga.
  • Characters: Head (jumps high, uses doughnut weapons) and Heels (runs fast, carries one item).
  • Structure: 300+ rooms across multiple worlds.

The characters

Head:

  • High jumping ability.
  • Can fire doughnuts (stun enemies).
  • Slower movement.
  • Controls hooters (robot devices).

Heels:

  • Fast running speed.
  • Can carry one item in bag.
  • Lower jump height.
  • Sprinting through danger.

The combination

Head and Heels could join together:

  • Head rides on Heels.
  • Combined: high jump + fast run + item carrying.
  • Essential for certain puzzles.
  • Strategic separation and reunification required.

The world

Four enslaved planets to liberate:

  • Egyptus, Penitentiary, Safari, Book World.
  • Each with distinct visual style.
  • Interconnected through teleport systems.
  • Non-linear exploration within structure.

The puzzle design

Head Over Heels rewarded thinking:

  • Environmental puzzles using both characters.
  • Timing challenges for action skills.
  • Item collection and transportation.
  • Multiple solutions to some problems.

Technical achievement

Ritman’s engine improved on Batman:

  • Larger, more complex rooms.
  • Two simultaneous character states.
  • Smooth isometric movement.
  • Ambitious scale for 8-bit hardware.

Bernie Drummond’s graphics

The visual design enhanced gameplay:

  • Distinctive, readable characters.
  • Clear environmental graphics.
  • Enemy designs with personality.
  • Consistent aesthetic across worlds.

Legacy

Head Over Heels showed isometric games could have depth beyond technical showcase. The two-character mechanic created puzzles impossible with a single protagonist. Ritman and Drummond proved that innovation and polish could coexist on limited hardware.

See also