This is another of my favorite run and gun games. Not much to say for the plotline as it's simple as you simply in one of three mercenaries whose job is to take out organized crime leaders and collect a sweet bounty afterwards, of course we know it's not as simple as that. And that is all you need to know in a nutshell, as usual we're all in it for the action and this game has plenty of it to keep you satisfied.
I really love the futuristic setting which is obviously inspired by "Blade Runner" but also the "Judge Dredd" comic book series. Seeing and playing this game makes me wonder why the heck we don't have another video game for "Judge Dredd" yet; sidenote there is one for the Genesis/SNES which is actually good and story for another time. But anyway, I always like that gritty worn-down futuristic look, giving the whole place that neo noir vibe.
The graphical presentation is great, just so well detailed and lively. Graphics look like the kind you would see from the 90's arcade, most notably "Elevator Action Returns" (another of my favorite run and gun games and story for another time). But also combines a little of the 90's PC game look as we see some of the cinematic cut scenes from the movements to the voice acting which is good; like the voice for the guy character, you play sounds a bit like Steve Blum but not quite. His voice fits well in this game as he delivers or homages a lot of memorable lines you might recognize if you've seen enough movies.
And that is part of what this game is one big love letter to 80's sci -fi films and other cult films like "Blade Runner", "Escape from New York", "The Warriors", "The Terminator", you name it it's all there. Another way the game homages is through the music, which is very good, some of the track's sound like the kind of music you would hear from Brad Vidal and John Carpenter as there are familiar tunes that almost feel like tracks to unmade films. Even like that the game has a sense of humor; despite the dark and gritty tone of the game it doesn't take itself too seriously as there are certain in jokes, let alone the ridiculous over the top nature of the bosses and the gangs they run. Like one gang that look like Fonzie impersonators and a boss that is obviously an homage to Lord Humungous from "The Road Warrior" with the hockey mask and leading a whole gang.
But of course, there is the action and gameplay which are both on target. It's the kind of action you would expect from most run and gun, where it goes from point A to B. However this is the kind of run and gun you take your time with, which I like as it's something we don't see enough of. What I like about those kinds of run and gun games are that they cause you to think before you act. To utilize tactics to take down enemies placed or certain kinds of enemies as going as direct assault isn't always enough.
Most of the sub enemies are unique as each have different weapons and gimmicks like a few fly on rocket packs, all this to kill you. But of course, you must kill them first before they do, and you have a good arsenal which each have strengths and weaknesses. You can only carry two guns at a time from your standard weapon to the one you pick out. There is a third sub weapon you carry, two of my favorites are the planted explosives where you can drop down the explosive and at the right moment you detonate it by remote. Another is the power blade, obviously an homage to the cult video game "Power Blade" (game I reviewed). The good news with that weapon is that you don't have to worry about ammo as it always comes back to you. But's it's a fine weapon as it cuts thought anything to everything.
Even like the boss battles which are each unique and you can say are an homage to the "Mega Man" games as they remind me of the robot master battles. Each of them along with the levels you play are always something different which really keeps the game fresh. Each of the bosses have an attack pattern but are divided into two stages; once you drain enough of the bosses health at midpoint they then alter and change the attack pattern which gives you seconds to adjust, so don't expect the same kind of game again. And last is the fact the game is really violent, as there are blood effects that you really wouldn't have seen in these types of games in the 90's and I like that which really adds to the games atmosphere but also shows this run and gun game pushes the envelope.
This is a run and gun gem worth hunting down and a shot.
Rating: 3 and a half stars.
I really love the futuristic setting which is obviously inspired by "Blade Runner" but also the "Judge Dredd" comic book series. Seeing and playing this game makes me wonder why the heck we don't have another video game for "Judge Dredd" yet; sidenote there is one for the Genesis/SNES which is actually good and story for another time. But anyway, I always like that gritty worn-down futuristic look, giving the whole place that neo noir vibe.
The graphical presentation is great, just so well detailed and lively. Graphics look like the kind you would see from the 90's arcade, most notably "Elevator Action Returns" (another of my favorite run and gun games and story for another time). But also combines a little of the 90's PC game look as we see some of the cinematic cut scenes from the movements to the voice acting which is good; like the voice for the guy character, you play sounds a bit like Steve Blum but not quite. His voice fits well in this game as he delivers or homages a lot of memorable lines you might recognize if you've seen enough movies.
And that is part of what this game is one big love letter to 80's sci -fi films and other cult films like "Blade Runner", "Escape from New York", "The Warriors", "The Terminator", you name it it's all there. Another way the game homages is through the music, which is very good, some of the track's sound like the kind of music you would hear from Brad Vidal and John Carpenter as there are familiar tunes that almost feel like tracks to unmade films. Even like that the game has a sense of humor; despite the dark and gritty tone of the game it doesn't take itself too seriously as there are certain in jokes, let alone the ridiculous over the top nature of the bosses and the gangs they run. Like one gang that look like Fonzie impersonators and a boss that is obviously an homage to Lord Humungous from "The Road Warrior" with the hockey mask and leading a whole gang.
But of course, there is the action and gameplay which are both on target. It's the kind of action you would expect from most run and gun, where it goes from point A to B. However this is the kind of run and gun you take your time with, which I like as it's something we don't see enough of. What I like about those kinds of run and gun games are that they cause you to think before you act. To utilize tactics to take down enemies placed or certain kinds of enemies as going as direct assault isn't always enough.
Most of the sub enemies are unique as each have different weapons and gimmicks like a few fly on rocket packs, all this to kill you. But of course, you must kill them first before they do, and you have a good arsenal which each have strengths and weaknesses. You can only carry two guns at a time from your standard weapon to the one you pick out. There is a third sub weapon you carry, two of my favorites are the planted explosives where you can drop down the explosive and at the right moment you detonate it by remote. Another is the power blade, obviously an homage to the cult video game "Power Blade" (game I reviewed). The good news with that weapon is that you don't have to worry about ammo as it always comes back to you. But's it's a fine weapon as it cuts thought anything to everything.
Even like the boss battles which are each unique and you can say are an homage to the "Mega Man" games as they remind me of the robot master battles. Each of them along with the levels you play are always something different which really keeps the game fresh. Each of the bosses have an attack pattern but are divided into two stages; once you drain enough of the bosses health at midpoint they then alter and change the attack pattern which gives you seconds to adjust, so don't expect the same kind of game again. And last is the fact the game is really violent, as there are blood effects that you really wouldn't have seen in these types of games in the 90's and I like that which really adds to the games atmosphere but also shows this run and gun game pushes the envelope.
This is a run and gun gem worth hunting down and a shot.
Rating: 3 and a half stars.
