Overall 8.5 Graphics 8 Sound 5 Addictive 7 Story 4 Depth 5 Difficulty 4
8
Jack Belmont ZanderShadowbane
When Metroid was invented it was a revolutionary game. Many games emulated Metroid like Castlevania and it created it's own genera, metroidmania. This game feels like it was trying to be Castlevania with Samurai Jack. This game has you travel through 8 different areas and picking up items that allow you to move on. You also have to find 4 gems that represent the elements (Because that's never been done before). However, can this game really compare to Castlevania?
Graphics (8): This game looks pretty good. The enemies look well made and the special effects work. I only saw a graphical glitch once and that was on the background. This is one of the better aspects of the game.
Sound (5): The game tries with it's soundtrack, but it's not really great quality. You can constantly hear crackling in the background and the music is. . . a bit on the dull side. Also the sound effects feel that they could be more fitting. When going through the jukebox extra (Spoilers) you can go through the music but it feels a little too similar. This game's music is definitely no Circle of the Moon.
Gameplay (6): This game is a platformer and for the most part the platforming works. The wall jumping can be a little bit awkward especially when you have to wall jump to the next screen. But aside from 2 sections with annoying jumping the rest of the game's platforming works rather well.
Your basic attack (and really only attack) is very flashy but that's the problem. In Castlevania, when you attack, you know what your attack will do, but in this game your attack speed and area hit are a bit more variable. It's nothing you can't get used to but makes the game a bit annoying.There is no level system for this game, you increase your stats by picking up items that will permanently increase them much like Metroid. However, unlike Metroid these stat boosting items are also item drops from certain enemies, and by certain enemies I mean the most common enemies.
The defense and attacks system was interesting addition, as you have attack an defense based on foes elemental affinity rather than a base damage. Items can increase the stats while equip and you can find and loot items that permanently increase your stats. However this is a bit of a problem because there's no bestiary so you can't just look to see what element they are and are left to guess for several enemies. Your items are rather useless for combat in my opinion, and are really only useful for getting past obstacles.
Addictiveness (7): This game is rather fun to play through, especially the 2nd time through if only to pummel the bosses that gave you a hard time. Yes, this game has New Game+ allowing you to replay with the stats, items, and equipment. This makes the game so much easier and allows you to farm up to max stats (if you have no life of your own).
Story (4): It's classic Samurai Jack: Jack finds out about a way to the past, works hard to get back, and at the last second he fails and moves on (Spoilers). You have some side quests to do but they're not really very plot driven. A notable part of the story is that it lacks much of the humor that the show had. While it does have a few jokes it feels far more serious than I think it should be. And how does the game work for the newcomer? Well, with little exposition the newcomer would be a little lost. They would know that Aku is the villain, he trapped jack where he is, he needs the amulet to get home. Since the game isn't really story driven someone who never saw the series wouldn't be totally lost.
Depth (5): There are 8 levels, you can unlock 5 teleporters, collect powerful equipment, increase all of your stats to 999, fight a secret boss, have new game+, and get some very rare items through conversion. The converter actually is an interesting touch. After you find it by standing next to it, it will upgrade your more basic items to rarer ones, like small potions into large potions and power rings 1 into power a power ring 2. This also allows you to get permanent health boosters that will quickly increase your health to it's maximum. The optional boss is there, but is pathetically easy by the time you get to him because he appears in your 2nd play through. Unfortunately you can only fight him once (unless you start another game file). The biggest problem holding the games depth back is the lack of levels. The Castlevania games for the GBA were far larger with a far larger amount of enemies in this game.
Difficulty (4): The game starts off easy but gets far easier as you go on. The bosses are really challenging when you have 100 health at 100 defense but when you're at 999 health with 500 defense, they suddenly seem a lot less difficult. Not that they're that hard in the first place if you have enough potions, which are very easy to farm because almost every enemy drops them. However if you're a bit stingy with items then you'll be in a bit of trouble. However when you have max health and high defense, even the final boss is a pushover. You can literally tank all his attacks, never use a potion, and you'll beat him no problem. So basically this game has a reverse difficulty. It starts of hard and gets easier as it goes.
Overall (8): This game has it's problems: weak story, poor sound quality, awkward attacks, small gameplay area, and poor depth. That said for people who love metroidmania games this game might be worth a play through. It's got several interesting features and interesting level design. This game is no Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, or Aria of Sorrow, but it's an interesting and somewhat fun casual game that is an interesting way to spend an afternoon.
Review Rating: 4.5/5
Submitted: 01-08-16
Updated: 01-08-16
Review Replies: 7
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