Moonwalker (ARC, 1990)
Graphics-8 Sound-7.5 Control-6.5 Challenge-7.5* Story-5
Level Design-6.5 Frustration-8* Fun-6.5* Originality-5
Overall Score-6.5
*1-player, Normal
+ 3-player co-op, isometric run 'n gun gameplay, good art direction and visual variety, good animation overall, transform into a robot (rescue the monkey; wider and stronger beam with more default range), decent bosses, dance attacks (basically smart bombs with a longer animation), rescue hostages (they'll usually give you health and dance attacks), pretty good voices overall, difficulty options (4 levels, coin worth), shows a basic map of each level before it begins (not that you really need it), pretty good ending cutscene, the boss attacks you from above during the level in the beginning (but not in later levels), "I love you Michael.... to DEATH!", context sensitive melee attack,
+/- No jumping, robot transformation doesn't carry over to the next level, invisible walls here and there, limited starting lives options (3 is max - however you'll add to your life counter immediately with each coin without having to continue first),
- Short weapon range unless fully charged (can't be upgraded, breaks gameplay flow), charge shot resets if you hold down the button for too long, no strafing/running/dodging, repetitive, no alternate paths or hidden items?, no hat throw or spinning move and no rail shooter segment (MD game), uneven FM synth quality and most of the lead/vocal melodies have been altered a bit (usually for the worse), some trial & error (ambush attacks, boss patterns), short (short intro level+4 proper levels or ~25-30 min),
Level Design-6.5 Frustration-8* Fun-6.5* Originality-5
Overall Score-6.5
*1-player, Normal
+ 3-player co-op, isometric run 'n gun gameplay, good art direction and visual variety, good animation overall, transform into a robot (rescue the monkey; wider and stronger beam with more default range), decent bosses, dance attacks (basically smart bombs with a longer animation), rescue hostages (they'll usually give you health and dance attacks), pretty good voices overall, difficulty options (4 levels, coin worth), shows a basic map of each level before it begins (not that you really need it), pretty good ending cutscene, the boss attacks you from above during the level in the beginning (but not in later levels), "I love you Michael.... to DEATH!", context sensitive melee attack,
+/- No jumping, robot transformation doesn't carry over to the next level, invisible walls here and there, limited starting lives options (3 is max - however you'll add to your life counter immediately with each coin without having to continue first),
- Short weapon range unless fully charged (can't be upgraded, breaks gameplay flow), charge shot resets if you hold down the button for too long, no strafing/running/dodging, repetitive, no alternate paths or hidden items?, no hat throw or spinning move and no rail shooter segment (MD game), uneven FM synth quality and most of the lead/vocal melodies have been altered a bit (usually for the worse), some trial & error (ambush attacks, boss patterns), short (short intro level+4 proper levels or ~25-30 min),