Gunstar Heroes (MD, 1993)
Graphics-8.5 Sound-8 Control-8 Challenge-7.5
Level Design-8 Frustration-8 Fun-8.5/8* Originality-6
Overall Score-8.5
*1-player
+
2-player co-op (minor vs. element in the board game-style level, asymmetric co-op in the shoot 'em up level)
Intense action (almost non-stop with very minor slowdown/flicker)
Innovative boss fights (seven force, final level - they behave a bit different each time you play)
Sometimes humorous tone
Good weapons system (mix and match 4 different weapons)
Choose your path (Mega Man)
Difficulty options (four modes that play quite different)
Some cool moves (slides, double jumps/dive jumps, throws)
Mini-bosses
Very good use of colour (though it rarely reaches the system's limit)
+/-
Can't cancel out of a slide move
-
You can't switch stances on the fly (running while shooting or standing still - can do this in Contra HC)
Some boring segments (gauntlet-style space port level, board game part can get tedious if you're unlucky, easy shooter level)
the levels are much easier than the bosses
Your weapons aren't very visually impressive
Somewhat unbalanced weapons (better on Hard or above?)
Uneven difficulty curve (final level is definitely the hardest though)
No sound when hitting bosses (makes the action feel less impactful)
Most enemies are small and similar looking (see screenshots)
Level Design-8 Frustration-8 Fun-8.5/8* Originality-6
Overall Score-8.5
*1-player
+
2-player co-op (minor vs. element in the board game-style level, asymmetric co-op in the shoot 'em up level)
Intense action (almost non-stop with very minor slowdown/flicker)
Innovative boss fights (seven force, final level - they behave a bit different each time you play)
Sometimes humorous tone
Good weapons system (mix and match 4 different weapons)
Choose your path (Mega Man)
Difficulty options (four modes that play quite different)
Some cool moves (slides, double jumps/dive jumps, throws)
Mini-bosses
Very good use of colour (though it rarely reaches the system's limit)
+/-
Can't cancel out of a slide move
-
You can't switch stances on the fly (running while shooting or standing still - can do this in Contra HC)
Some boring segments (gauntlet-style space port level, board game part can get tedious if you're unlucky, easy shooter level)
the levels are much easier than the bosses
Your weapons aren't very visually impressive
Somewhat unbalanced weapons (better on Hard or above?)
Uneven difficulty curve (final level is definitely the hardest though)
No sound when hitting bosses (makes the action feel less impactful)
Most enemies are small and similar looking (see screenshots)