Alcahest (SNES, 1993)
Graphics-8 Sound-8 Control-8 Challenge-7 Story-5
Level Design-7 Frustration-7.5 Fun-7 Originality-6
Overall Score-7
+
Fast paced
run from the get go (can change direction while running)
good bosses overall (latter half)
switch between four elemental partners (spells/special attacks)
respawn at latest exit
can block most projectiles
password save (not translated)
nice ending (get to see each character's future)
companions help you out in some parts
some good enemy AI
+/-
Linear structure
respawning enemies (spawn as soon as you scroll the screen away from them)
boss rush near the end,
-
Can't keep health/magic potions for later use (leads to uneven difficulty)
lame plot devices
cliché story
some points of no return
some backtracking
uneven difficulty (invincibility magic, red clothed swordsman boss very weak to fire)
running set to double tap instead of a button, pretty cheap final boss (lightning wall attack)
repetitive (pretty much a series of dungeons)
some cheap hits
some trial & error
you find way more skill points than health points, exp points counter is actually just a score counter, gameplay is focused more around the use of special attacks than actual skill
Level Design-7 Frustration-7.5 Fun-7 Originality-6
Overall Score-7
+
Fast paced
run from the get go (can change direction while running)
good bosses overall (latter half)
switch between four elemental partners (spells/special attacks)
respawn at latest exit
can block most projectiles
password save (not translated)
nice ending (get to see each character's future)
companions help you out in some parts
some good enemy AI
+/-
Linear structure
respawning enemies (spawn as soon as you scroll the screen away from them)
boss rush near the end,
-
Can't keep health/magic potions for later use (leads to uneven difficulty)
lame plot devices
cliché story
some points of no return
some backtracking
uneven difficulty (invincibility magic, red clothed swordsman boss very weak to fire)
running set to double tap instead of a button, pretty cheap final boss (lightning wall attack)
repetitive (pretty much a series of dungeons)
some cheap hits
some trial & error
you find way more skill points than health points, exp points counter is actually just a score counter, gameplay is focused more around the use of special attacks than actual skill