A RETRO ADVENTURE WITH A MODERN EXPERIENCE
GAMEPLAY:
This adventure game represents one of the best games available ever since its release in the Amiga, presenting stunning graphics and innovative cut scenes for its release.
In game play terms, the experience is still really challenging and interesting, where you must follow the story discovering what to do and how to do it. You control the character and the game literally controls you. You can consider the whole game as a gigantic puzzle.
The first thing you will see is that there are no instructions. You will need to discover what to do and how to do so. This also means you will die many times. This isn’t bad news because there are a lot of checkpoints. You can also start from the checkpoint you wish to using the main menu if you wish to play a certain part only.
Why will you die a lot? Well, it’s because there’s no health system in this game, so one hit means a game over. You need to be very careful and invest heavily in trust for your weapon. This is because there’s an ammo system, which is hidden sadly, and there is also an “aim” variable. With this, I mean you or the enemy will miss something which is the reason you will need to trust in your weapon.
The controls are excellently done too. With the buttons ‘X’ or ‘B’, you can jump. If you press the button ‘A’ while moving, you will run, and if not, it will allow you to use Lester’s gun. Depending on the time you will be pressing the button A, you will do a simple shoot, a shield or a powered shoot. Of course, you will move with the L-Stick.
The game has good replay value. There are different ways to play it where you can find the fastest way to finish it. The off-TV experience is identical to playing with the TV, and well, there are three difficulties to choose too.
I will stop here because a further explanation of the game will result in spoilers, and I don’t want to do that.
GRAPHICS AND SOUND:
The game is a re-mastered version of a game that is twenty years old (ps: a remastered version isn’t a remake) and they did great work. You can also switch to the original graphics anytime with the button Y, where the game also looks really good (considering the date it was created).
The soundtrack, including music and sounds, are well made too. You have the option to listen to the remastered, the original or from the CD version of the game.
Of course, nostalgia will be strong for those who played the original game and it’s also excellent for the people who likes to play retro games in its original quality or for those who like to play those but with updated quality.
PRESENTATION:
Meanwhile, the manual is lacking in this game, the rest of the presentation is excellent. It doesn’t just offer the original experience, it also brings a variety of options that will allow you to play with remastered or the original graphics and soundtrack.
While there is no explanation of the controls or how do you play the game, it’s part of the experience we got used to a long time ago. Classics like Super Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda do not have any explanation about the controls or how to play it and are still masterpieces when you learn to play. This game is no exception to that rule as discovering how to play it is a part of the experience itself.
CONCLUSION:
Comparing this game to Virtual Console games, this remastered release offers a lot for its price. Furthermore, it will be somewhat challenging for new players to play however, it’s a classic that needs to be discovered by everyone.
