Game-Boy's "Not A Review" Round Up Part 2
In part one of my "Not a Review" miniseries I shared my thoughts on some recent console releases that I've been playing. Today I'll run through some of the handheld games that I've been spending some time with. So without further ado, let's get started!
Henry Hatsworth in The Puzzling Adventure (DS) - I had to pick this game up after I saw Fruit Brute playing this. The quirky title plays as a hybrid of Planet Puzzle League and classic 8/16-bit platformers like Mega Man. The game oozes style, plays near-flawlessly and shouldn't be missed. My only gripes that I have with this is that I didn't exactly appreciate the story segments or it's horrendous sound effects that remind me of those Guinness commercials that grate on my soul. Even with this in mind, I'm still recommending this game to every DS owner. This is the type of original, innovative, and "just plain fun" games that big publishers like EA aren't exactly known for and they deserve to be rewarded for taking this type of creative risk.
Chrono Trigger (DS) - Attention Square fans: start flaming me now! I've tried to get into this RPG classic many times over the years and each time I come to the same conclusion: I guess you just had to be there to get it. Don't get me wrong! I absolutely love the character art, the unmatched musical score, and I even like some of the more unusual aspects of the combat system. But there are some things that make this game (even it's DS port) a pain to play. I'm not a fan of the obtuse save system. I think the game could have stood to include a better progression tracker so that portable players don't waste time wondering around while they try to figure out where they left off or what they're supposed to be doing. Worst of all (and this is why I'm expecting hate mail), I thought the story was dull. I understand that a lot of people love this game and that it was pioneering JRPG title at the time, but ironically I don't think that time has been kind to it.
Hammerin' Hero (PSP) - I really wanted to enjoy this game a lot more than I did. I usually love 2.5D platformers, quirky Japanese games, and everything that Atlus puts out, but for some reason it just take off as high as I hoped it would This fairly unique platformer has all the right ingredients: bright visuals, humorous interactions, dialog that doesn't take itself too seriously. But it gets soiled by some wonky controls and an unforgiving health system that makes Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? look like a walk in the park. Think of this game as an unpolished Viewtiful Joe, those that are able to get into will love it, but if you'll probably hate it if you're not exactly in sync with it's eccentricities.
Underwater Attack (DS) - Screw this game. I'm only bringing this up because this game was somehow able to escape Nintendo's quality assurance without providing a left-handed control scheme. I'm sure it's an ok shooter if your one of those right-handed freaks, but dignified lefties like myself will have no patience for this nonsense.
Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ (DS) - Only one word really describes this game: outrageous! It may be light on story and production values, but this tiny cartridge carries a powerful punch! If you're a fan of Metal Slug, Ikari Warriors, or zombie mayhem in any form, you owe it to yourself to pony up the $15 to purchase this gem of an action shooter. One might think that no game could possibly live up to the expectations set by the title's utterly ridiculous cover art, but level after level, boss after boss the player is treated to one of the most finely tuned 2D action experiences since the glory days of SNK. It's been a long time since I've restarted a game immediately after beating it, but I cannot pry myself away from this one. Buy it now before it becomes impossible to find.
Game-Boy
Posted to Video Games on 19 June 2009
· Comments (2)
Other stuff like this: chrono trigger, hammerin' hero, henry hatsworth, little red riding hood's zombie bbq, not a review, underwater attack
I must say that i totally agree with you about Chrono Trigger. I myself, after the ranting of every employee at GameStop [all 3 of them], decided to pick it up. I am a lover of RPGs, with the Golden Sun series being near & dear to my heart. However, i was only able to tolerate about 3 hours of gameplay before i was forced to just turn off my darling DS.
My main complaint is that the battle system is vexing beyond all beliefe. I am use to taking my time in turn based combat, making sure to plan out my moves throughly before i execute them. But this game requires quicktime, which is not what a turnbased combat should contain. I also disliked the fixed character models, Crono could only do these spells & Lucca these. I like the freedom of a skill system, so i can customize my lovely ladies into baddie pounding machines while the men take the more gentle role of healing.
& i also agree about the whole story thing. While do like the whole time travel aspect, it does not stand out as a remarkable tale that pwns the rest of RPGs out there.
So, here is a cake to make up for any hate mail. ^-^.
Couldn't agree more with your thoughts on Little Red Riding Hood. It is one of the best DS games out there that no one has bought!