Astal (SAT, 1995)
Graphics-8 Sound-7.5 Control-6.5 Challenge-7
Level Design-7 Frustration-8 Fun-7 Originality-6
Overall Score-6.5
+
2-player co-op (asymmetric - one player controls the bird attacks?)
Nice cutscenes
Some cool attacks (crystal breath, earthquake, slam ground, air dash (as the bird))
Smart bombs (except not immediate and they don't hit everything on screen)
Decent-good art direction, Good use of color, Transparencies and scaling effects
DKC/Sonic-style bouncing on enemies
Some good bosses (plant, dragon, ice cave boss)
Skippable cutscenes
Throw trees and boulders
Get to play as the bird for one boss fight (control's a bit stiff though)
Some new ideas (final level
Falling pillars segment)
Life refill at most bosses
+/-
Running could've been bound to a button instead of having to double tap the d-pad (would've made some platforming and boss fights less frustrating)
Slight delay on all attacks
No score counter
-
No in-game explanation of how the bird works (you also get to control it for a boss fight without knowing the controls)
Somewhat slow paced
Somewhat sluggish and floaty controls (takes a sec to perform a command after running due to an animation, Astal takes a few extra steps after releasing the d-pad)
Can't move while crouching or look up/down for hazards
Some delay when issuing commands to the bird
Some ideas/segments seem underdeveloped/lack depth (bowmen attack, taking protection from falling rocks with a large boulder)
Some trial & error (mechanics, bosses, boat ride)
The game auto-selects the 'get health' command when you're hit - also auto-selects the middle command if you're fully charged (this also causes an annoying sfx)
Somewhat odd hit detection on the horned beast (behemoth) and final boss
Pretty crappy english voice acting
Generic and cheesy story aimed at kids
Some cheap attacks (final stage and bosses)
No secrets
Short (5 levels)
No difficulty options (you can have up to 99 levels after beating it once - why though?)
Difficulty spike at final level
During the final boss fights special attacks seem to be handed out randomly? (you need energy for them normally)
Level Design-7 Frustration-8 Fun-7 Originality-6
Overall Score-6.5
+
2-player co-op (asymmetric - one player controls the bird attacks?)
Nice cutscenes
Some cool attacks (crystal breath, earthquake, slam ground, air dash (as the bird))
Smart bombs (except not immediate and they don't hit everything on screen)
Decent-good art direction, Good use of color, Transparencies and scaling effects
DKC/Sonic-style bouncing on enemies
Some good bosses (plant, dragon, ice cave boss)
Skippable cutscenes
Throw trees and boulders
Get to play as the bird for one boss fight (control's a bit stiff though)
Some new ideas (final level
Falling pillars segment)
Life refill at most bosses
+/-
Running could've been bound to a button instead of having to double tap the d-pad (would've made some platforming and boss fights less frustrating)
Slight delay on all attacks
No score counter
-
No in-game explanation of how the bird works (you also get to control it for a boss fight without knowing the controls)
Somewhat slow paced
Somewhat sluggish and floaty controls (takes a sec to perform a command after running due to an animation, Astal takes a few extra steps after releasing the d-pad)
Can't move while crouching or look up/down for hazards
Some delay when issuing commands to the bird
Some ideas/segments seem underdeveloped/lack depth (bowmen attack, taking protection from falling rocks with a large boulder)
Some trial & error (mechanics, bosses, boat ride)
The game auto-selects the 'get health' command when you're hit - also auto-selects the middle command if you're fully charged (this also causes an annoying sfx)
Somewhat odd hit detection on the horned beast (behemoth) and final boss
Pretty crappy english voice acting
Generic and cheesy story aimed at kids
Some cheap attacks (final stage and bosses)
No secrets
Short (5 levels)
No difficulty options (you can have up to 99 levels after beating it once - why though?)
Difficulty spike at final level
During the final boss fights special attacks seem to be handed out randomly? (you need energy for them normally)