A couple quick PSX impressions
Sept 26, 2006 11:06:31 GMT -5
Post by ed on Sept 26, 2006 11:06:31 GMT -5
I've bought some games from eBay seller 16-bit recently in doubles - one PSX game, one Saturn game. I think I did better on the Saturn titles (Elevator Action Returns, with Gunner's Heaven, and Assault Suit Valken 2 with Gungage).
Gungage (Konami, 1999)
Nice premise. Control a character FPS-style, using the top shoulder buttons to strafe, bottom left to free aim. Two attacks - normal and a powered up shot (bombs? I haven't looked much at this yet). D-pad to move.
Two problems: One, it's a third person game, so the advantages of FPS aiming go mainly out the window. You move slowly. More engaging combat than Dino Crisis, maybe, but it doesn't feel as nice.
Good graphics, level designs of varied interest (the first and second were good, but the third seems quite bland - think of the Forest of Silence from Castlevania 64, downgrade it, and put a bridge above that you've got to double back into). The enemies look like they'd be at home in Phantasy Star Online (although they've been less interesting so far, sticking to the standard shooter tropes of blue jellyfish, giant moths, and other silly stuff). Nice music as well.
Worth the $20 I plunked down for the JP version? Don't see it.
Gunner's Heaven:
An early SCEA release, and I actually recieved and last played it a few weeks ago (Gungage I got maybe two days ago). A Gunstar Heroes rip-off down to the two-character combination (actually the boy/girl team combo, same as the later Gunstar Super Heroes), different types of shot available at all times, and a grappling system (although rather weak here). There's also the matter of the game's initials. The name of the developer escapes me at the moment, but I'd never heard of them before.
The game feels terribly bland to me thus far. I don't see the game's draw. Run around short, bland levels with formulaic (if competent) obstacles, fight bland enemies. The robot with the English flag (as seen on HG101) is seen early in the game - literally just a few minutes in. If that's one of the most interesting boss fights in the game, I quit.
Gungage (Konami, 1999)
Nice premise. Control a character FPS-style, using the top shoulder buttons to strafe, bottom left to free aim. Two attacks - normal and a powered up shot (bombs? I haven't looked much at this yet). D-pad to move.
Two problems: One, it's a third person game, so the advantages of FPS aiming go mainly out the window. You move slowly. More engaging combat than Dino Crisis, maybe, but it doesn't feel as nice.
Good graphics, level designs of varied interest (the first and second were good, but the third seems quite bland - think of the Forest of Silence from Castlevania 64, downgrade it, and put a bridge above that you've got to double back into). The enemies look like they'd be at home in Phantasy Star Online (although they've been less interesting so far, sticking to the standard shooter tropes of blue jellyfish, giant moths, and other silly stuff). Nice music as well.
Worth the $20 I plunked down for the JP version? Don't see it.
Gunner's Heaven:
An early SCEA release, and I actually recieved and last played it a few weeks ago (Gungage I got maybe two days ago). A Gunstar Heroes rip-off down to the two-character combination (actually the boy/girl team combo, same as the later Gunstar Super Heroes), different types of shot available at all times, and a grappling system (although rather weak here). There's also the matter of the game's initials. The name of the developer escapes me at the moment, but I'd never heard of them before.
The game feels terribly bland to me thus far. I don't see the game's draw. Run around short, bland levels with formulaic (if competent) obstacles, fight bland enemies. The robot with the English flag (as seen on HG101) is seen early in the game - literally just a few minutes in. If that's one of the most interesting boss fights in the game, I quit.
