Asterix and the Secret Mission (SMS, 1993)
Graphics-8 Sound-7.5 Control-6.5 Challenge-7.5 Story-6
Level Design-7.5 Frustration-8.5 Fun-6.5 Originality-5
Overall Score-6.5
+
Play as Asterix or Obelix (can change between levels) - some levels are different depending on which one you pick
Expressive and detailed sprites, Great use of colour
Some alternate paths and hidden items
Double jump
Decent cutscenes (artwork stills with scrolling text) between levels
Upgradeable life bar (hidden hearts)
Jump onto and off of ladders/vines
Minor puzzles here and there (run into a wall to make a boulder fall down and use it as a platform, catch a running soldier by setting a trap block, use potions to remove certain obstacles, etc.)
Pretty good bosses overall
Bonus level (need to collect enough dog bones; pretty basic - collect a bunch of items in a small area as the dog)
Pretty good variety
+/-
No hub map
Temporary sub weapons
Can farm HP and even lives in some levels
The swinging of Asterix's arm hits as well as the punch itself
Some mazes
No save or password (kinda short game though- takes ~35 mins if you're good)
Some autoscrolling segments
Only Obelix can break blocks from below
-
Plenty of slowdown and the game itself doesn't run all that smoothly
Some control issues (movement is a bit slippery and there's a break animation when turning around, can't cancel a punch move (Asterix always spins his arm before punching - Obelix doesn't), can't punch upwards in mid-air, odd way of triggering running (need to jump and punch then hold punch, or keep holding punch after punching and then move), no way to quickly destroy blocks as Asterix)
Time limit that makes you gradually lose life (similar to Wonder Boy in Monster Land) - doesn't mesh with the more puzzle oriented segments
Trial & error (only Obelix can go through the water body in the lvl 2 cave, some very tight jumps, hidden pit in lvl 2, weird room with a body of water and a room with a flower below it (the water kills you - need a fire potion to remove it), what do items like the yellow potion do?, )
Can't use the exploding blue potion to break blocks
First boss fight is a bit tedious (too much time where it's invincible)
Some annoyingly high pitched and tinny music
Some flicker
Level Design-7.5 Frustration-8.5 Fun-6.5 Originality-5
Overall Score-6.5
+
Play as Asterix or Obelix (can change between levels) - some levels are different depending on which one you pick
Expressive and detailed sprites, Great use of colour
Some alternate paths and hidden items
Double jump
Decent cutscenes (artwork stills with scrolling text) between levels
Upgradeable life bar (hidden hearts)
Jump onto and off of ladders/vines
Minor puzzles here and there (run into a wall to make a boulder fall down and use it as a platform, catch a running soldier by setting a trap block, use potions to remove certain obstacles, etc.)
Pretty good bosses overall
Bonus level (need to collect enough dog bones; pretty basic - collect a bunch of items in a small area as the dog)
Pretty good variety
+/-
No hub map
Temporary sub weapons
Can farm HP and even lives in some levels
The swinging of Asterix's arm hits as well as the punch itself
Some mazes
No save or password (kinda short game though- takes ~35 mins if you're good)
Some autoscrolling segments
Only Obelix can break blocks from below
-
Plenty of slowdown and the game itself doesn't run all that smoothly
Some control issues (movement is a bit slippery and there's a break animation when turning around, can't cancel a punch move (Asterix always spins his arm before punching - Obelix doesn't), can't punch upwards in mid-air, odd way of triggering running (need to jump and punch then hold punch, or keep holding punch after punching and then move), no way to quickly destroy blocks as Asterix)
Time limit that makes you gradually lose life (similar to Wonder Boy in Monster Land) - doesn't mesh with the more puzzle oriented segments
Trial & error (only Obelix can go through the water body in the lvl 2 cave, some very tight jumps, hidden pit in lvl 2, weird room with a body of water and a room with a flower below it (the water kills you - need a fire potion to remove it), what do items like the yellow potion do?, )
Can't use the exploding blue potion to break blocks
First boss fight is a bit tedious (too much time where it's invincible)
Some annoyingly high pitched and tinny music
Some flicker