Who really likes this game? Mind you, it's cool and all, but I just wanted to get the egenral feeling about it here.
By the way, can someone be nice enough to scan the rear insert in the CD case for me? I'd love to have one for my copy of the game...I feel sads that I can't read the spine when it's sitting with my other games...
It's a fun game for two players. Of games that might qualify as shooters it's one that hasn't aged as well as a lot on the TG16 library.
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST GAMES, of ALL TIME.
(1) I love Wonderboy 1 and Adventure Island (NES) formula (constant need for fruit to stay alive, platforming skills)
(2) I love run-n-gun (blow up stuff)
So, Wonderboy III: Monster Lair is perfect marriage for me.
It has been faulted for being TOO LONG, because everyone is a pussy these days. But lots of games are long, so this criticism is from pussies.
Some folks say it is tedious, but these folks are pussies.
I could write up a whole page of all the little details in this game that are ICING ON THE CAKE of a super-solid game.
Music = perfect complement to atmosphere, action
Graphics/character design = cute as hell
Stage design = average to excellent (the challenging platforming ramps up, and the game is nice enough to give you some breaks to rest).
Shootemup segments = they are really just a nice way to give the player a choice of powerup before the boss battle. So, sure, they are nothing special, but they are BRIEF and a PRELUDE TO THE BOSS, so it builds anticipation when you (1) don't know which boss is ahead or (2) are fearful of the boss...
BOSSES: TONS of unique bosses...ALL bosses are all gorgeous, with unique attacks/patterns, so F$CK ALL THE NAYSAYERS. Wow, what great bosses.
CHALLENGE: It took me years to beat this game. I loved the billion of hours I put into it. Sure, I was frustrated when I choked at key moments.
ACCESSIBLE TO SUCKY PLAYERS: I do recall using some cheat when friends/brothers were playing because they died constantly. I was grateful for the extra continues because most friends would fall apart after Stage 3-5...
truth: A GAME SHOULD NEVER BE JUDGED BY SPAMMING CONTINUES from a cheat code.
POWERUP SYSTEM: perfectly implemented. Some weapons have variable speeds, which means you create different rhythms depending on how (1) frequently you press button and/or (2) how long you hold down the button.
TURBOSWITCHES: if you use TURBOSWITCHES in this game, it should only be during the moments when medium/high autofire makes sense. SO YOU SHOULD *CONSTANTLY* be shifting the turbo switch , IMHO.
SANS-TURBOSWITCHES: the true beauty of the game is revealed. The mechanics/controls + stage design are SPOT-ON.
HOW TO PLAY: Personally, I love making additional challenges for myself. So, I MUST COLLECT EVERY POWER-UP IMMEDIATELY , which means that my weapons are CONSTANTLY CHANGING and I love it.
Also, I must collect a new weapon once it appears,
even if it is sub-optimal or downright detrimental (for example, I will get rid of the awesome missile/flame before a boss and grab the lame comets...why? Because I like this extra challenge).
I have to MAXIMIZE FRUIT, destroy all the Boulders/elephants, etc.
So basically, this is a stellar game.