Title: Shatterhand
Description: Retro Review
Wyatt - October 16, 2005 12:31 AM (GMT)
Shatterhand
Jaleco
Action Platformer
NES
1 Player
Concept:
| QUOTE (Shatterhand Instruction Manual) |
| In the year 2030, medical technology develops to a point where missing limbs can be replaced with "cybernetic" devices that replicate human movement and form with great precision. Working on a top secret military project, a large group of scientists create military uses for these new cybernetic limbs. Within that group of scientists, a handful of subversives unite. With world domination as their goal, these subversives collaborate covertly to create an army of cyborg soldiers. General Gus Grover emerges as the leader of the group, and, after plans are carefully made and an awesome assembly of cyborgs stands at the ready, the group begins open revolt. They become known as the Metal Command. To combat the revolutionary movement, the Law and Order Regulatory Division is formed (L.O.R.D.). They put another group of scientists together to come up with something to combat the cyborgs of the Metal Command. What comes of this group's research and development is a very special pair of hands. These cybernetic attachments give their recipient the strength of a piledriver. They are capable of shattering metal on impact. There's only one problem. Without a willing recipient, these powerful hands cannot be used against the Metal Command. Meanwhile, in the Bronx, a young and highly decorated police officer named Steve Hermann chases after one of the Metal Command's cyborgs. The cyborg slows down, allowing Hermann to catch up. Hermann is puzzled by the apparent cooperation of the cyborg, until he hears the crunch of metal on concrete behind him. He turns just in time to see a huge cyborg close in. Hermann becomes a human sandwich between the two mighty cyborgs. They pull apart to determine if Hermann is still alive, and despite crushed hands and ribs, Hermann manages to run to freedom. Several days later, after both of his completely crushed and mutilated hands have been amputated, a L.O.R.D. official approaches Hermann's hospital bed with a package under his arm. He identifies himself and opens the package. He picks up the contents and displays them to Hermann: a pair of cybernetic hands - the strongest hands in the world. Now more motivated against the Metal Command than ever, Steve Hermann accepts the cybernetic hands and the responsibility that goes with them. The cybernetic hands are attached, and Hermann spends the next two months recovering from his injuries. When he emerges from the hospital, he will be known only as "Shatterhand" to protect his true identity. His mission: crush the rebellion with his bare hands. |
Execution: I have to admit, I first heard about this game because of a remix and thought it sounded cool, but had low expectations (it being an NES game and all). Was I wrong? Yes, mostly. The game has been decently challenging so far; not so hard as to be discouraging, but hard enough that you die. Graphically, it pushes the hardware to its limit, but thankfully doesn't have much in the way of disappearance that you see in a lot of NES games with a lot of action. Your primary mode of attack is punching and they even give you two kinds of punch, the second (stronger) one used automatically if you're standing still and punch regularly three or four times. Extra oomph is added to your attsacks by collecting some combination of three "B" or "L" symbols which get's you a helper robot with various forms of attack. There are eight uniqe robots. The soundtrack is very cool as well, and I might even be interested in remixing some of the music myself. (yeah right, like that's possible for one of such lame skills) It's catchy and fits the game well. The game's not perfect, and isn't really innovative enough to be perfect, but it's still fun to play.
******* 7/10
~Ayaji~ - November 2, 2005 09:13 PM (GMT)
Just out of curiosity...is anyone but you allowed to review stuff? Or did it just happen that no one but you has bothered to review stuff...
Kaisermikeb - November 2, 2005 09:15 PM (GMT)
~Ayaji~ - November 2, 2005 09:23 PM (GMT)
Ok, cool. I'll have to think of something and review it then^^
Can we review anything?
Kaisermikeb - November 2, 2005 09:40 PM (GMT)
~Ayaji~ - November 2, 2005 09:44 PM (GMT)
meaning anime? is anime the topic?
Kaisermikeb - November 2, 2005 09:56 PM (GMT)
eh, fandom in general.
A review of "Pride and Prejudice" would probably not have a place here.
Hellsing - November 3, 2005 09:26 PM (GMT)
unless made into an anime.
Kaisermikeb - November 3, 2005 10:19 PM (GMT)
That... would be interesting.
Wyatt - November 6, 2005 01:43 PM (GMT)
Yes, I was hoping people would be interested in doing this. Mike made the section because several people did show interest. By all means, give me some competition!
"Review games, manga, anime, or whatever else! Everyone else gets to react and respond to it though!"