In The Hunt (PS1, 1993 (ARC)/1995/1996)
Graphics-8.5 Sound-7.5 Control-7.5 Challenge-8* Story-4
Level Design-7.5 Frustration-8.5* Fun-7.5/8** Originality-5.5
Overall Score-7.5
*Easy (PS1 Mode)
**2-player
+
2-player co-op
Arcade and playstation gameplay and sound modes (PS1 has an arranged ost and is somewhat easier)
Difficutly options (v. easy-v. hard?, PS1 and arcade modes)
Shield power up (1 extra hp)
Extremely detailed sprite graphics
Good art direction (similar to Metal Slug)
Good bosses
Some throwbacks to Mr. Heli (fairly destructible environment, some enemies)
Pretty cool third level (upwards scrolling chase scene where you also use falling blocks to kill the boss at the end)
+/-
Forgiving hit detection (hit box is noticeably smaller than the ship sprite)
Secondary weapon acts differently if you're at the surface of the water
Respawn on the spot even after using a credit (it seems you get 1-2 power ups shortly after dying to help you recover)
Limited continues (five - can't gain lives or credits during play)
The game generally doesn’t auto-scroll so you can usually take it slow (there are a time limits but they're generally pretty generous)
-
Slow ship speed and no way to upgrade it
Heavy trial & error (difficulty spike at the second half of the lvl 4/squid boss and at the missiles segment in the final level)
No diagonal downward or proper backwards shot
The downward projectiles/sinking bombs (also work as a sort of back attack at times) are very slow
The heavy debris and explosions are pretty distracting at times and it's a bit hard to make out one of the final boss's attacks
Somewhat repetitive (re-uses some enemies and hazards throughout, samey color schemes overall)
Overly loud and somewhat scratchy sfx (no volume controls)
A bit short (6 levels or ~30 mins if you don't die)
Minor slowdown (worse in the Saturn version)
Only 2 different sub weapons and 3 different main weapons (with 2? levels of upgrades each) and the main ones are pretty similar
Safe spot at the lvl 4 boss
Bland ending
Level Design-7.5 Frustration-8.5* Fun-7.5/8** Originality-5.5
Overall Score-7.5
*Easy (PS1 Mode)
**2-player
+
2-player co-op
Arcade and playstation gameplay and sound modes (PS1 has an arranged ost and is somewhat easier)
Difficutly options (v. easy-v. hard?, PS1 and arcade modes)
Shield power up (1 extra hp)
Extremely detailed sprite graphics
Good art direction (similar to Metal Slug)
Good bosses
Some throwbacks to Mr. Heli (fairly destructible environment, some enemies)
Pretty cool third level (upwards scrolling chase scene where you also use falling blocks to kill the boss at the end)
+/-
Forgiving hit detection (hit box is noticeably smaller than the ship sprite)
Secondary weapon acts differently if you're at the surface of the water
Respawn on the spot even after using a credit (it seems you get 1-2 power ups shortly after dying to help you recover)
Limited continues (five - can't gain lives or credits during play)
The game generally doesn’t auto-scroll so you can usually take it slow (there are a time limits but they're generally pretty generous)
-
Slow ship speed and no way to upgrade it
Heavy trial & error (difficulty spike at the second half of the lvl 4/squid boss and at the missiles segment in the final level)
No diagonal downward or proper backwards shot
The downward projectiles/sinking bombs (also work as a sort of back attack at times) are very slow
The heavy debris and explosions are pretty distracting at times and it's a bit hard to make out one of the final boss's attacks
Somewhat repetitive (re-uses some enemies and hazards throughout, samey color schemes overall)
Overly loud and somewhat scratchy sfx (no volume controls)
A bit short (6 levels or ~30 mins if you don't die)
Minor slowdown (worse in the Saturn version)
Only 2 different sub weapons and 3 different main weapons (with 2? levels of upgrades each) and the main ones are pretty similar
Safe spot at the lvl 4 boss
Bland ending