Rygar (ARC, 1986)
Graphics-7 Sound-6.5 Control-7 Challenge-9
Level Design-6.5 Frustration-9 Fun-6.5 Originality-6
Overall Score-6
+
Controllable jumps
Bounce off of enemies (SMB)
Attack upgrades
Limited invincibility and smart bombs
Mini-bosses
Pretty fast paced and intense
Decent length (27 levels)
Forgiving checkpoints (though you lose all power ups after dying)
Bonuses for killing certain enemy formations all at once (basic combo bonus)
Difficulty options (easy mode is still very hard though)
Start with up to 5 lives
Some large sprites
Level map in the GUI (shows which point you're at in a level)
Unintentionally funny ending (Markus! Markus!)
+/-
Time limit (after it runs out you can still survive but you're being chased by a huge creature)
Quickly respawning enemies
Somewhat random enemy placements (see Ghosts 'n Goblins, Ninja Gaiden)
Can't move while crouching
Sometimes forgiving hit detection (centaurs when being carried, final boss, dinosaurs)
-
Repetitive
No continues after level 20 (!)
No jump height control
Trial & error (enemy invincibility during some animations, enemies spawning/attacking quickly while you're jumping, it's usually best to keep moving or you'll be overwhelmed by enemies from both sides)
So-so art direction and fairly non-distinct sprite work
Some sfx cut each other off
Mostly lacking FM sfx and Rygar's grunting gets annoying after a while
Limited controls when climbing a rope
Somewhat uneven difficulty
Unskippable transition between levels
Upwards attack replaces the l+r spin attack
Poor final boss
Level Design-6.5 Frustration-9 Fun-6.5 Originality-6
Overall Score-6
+
Controllable jumps
Bounce off of enemies (SMB)
Attack upgrades
Limited invincibility and smart bombs
Mini-bosses
Pretty fast paced and intense
Decent length (27 levels)
Forgiving checkpoints (though you lose all power ups after dying)
Bonuses for killing certain enemy formations all at once (basic combo bonus)
Difficulty options (easy mode is still very hard though)
Start with up to 5 lives
Some large sprites
Level map in the GUI (shows which point you're at in a level)
Unintentionally funny ending (Markus! Markus!)
+/-
Time limit (after it runs out you can still survive but you're being chased by a huge creature)
Quickly respawning enemies
Somewhat random enemy placements (see Ghosts 'n Goblins, Ninja Gaiden)
Can't move while crouching
Sometimes forgiving hit detection (centaurs when being carried, final boss, dinosaurs)
-
Repetitive
No continues after level 20 (!)
No jump height control
Trial & error (enemy invincibility during some animations, enemies spawning/attacking quickly while you're jumping, it's usually best to keep moving or you'll be overwhelmed by enemies from both sides)
So-so art direction and fairly non-distinct sprite work
Some sfx cut each other off
Mostly lacking FM sfx and Rygar's grunting gets annoying after a while
Limited controls when climbing a rope
Somewhat uneven difficulty
Unskippable transition between levels
Upwards attack replaces the l+r spin attack
Poor final boss