Try, fail, repeat, master, beat, try, fail, repeat.
This is definitely a platformer of its time - you start the level, you fail a bunch of times, you master the level and then you beat it and proceed to the next one. Old school as it is.
The gameplay is simple: you run, you jump, you attack, you die A LOT. There are enemies that you can touch, there are enemies you cannot touch and there are bosses. There are solid platforms, there are flying platforms, there are falling platforms and there are pits, lots of them. This is a very basic 3D platformer with linear levels. And given the most basic tools, it delivers a satisfying experience, especially being one of the earliest 3D platformers.
The progression can feel brutal, but it is typical for that period. Like most of the games of that time, this one expects you to master it before progressing forwards. And it can be quite merciful given that even when there are limited 1UPs, there are basically unlimited continues in the form of saves and passwords. The only hard part is getting them via Bonus Levels or perfecting the level. With such leeways, you are free to try levels over and over again until you finally master them. And you can feel the growth of your skill - even with clunky jumping, you start feeling it just right and notice that after getting to the last level, you can try the first one again and it will be a breeze.
Speaking of trying again. To 100% the game, you need to beat the levels without dying while smashing all the crates. Usually you do it after reaching the last boss, and with that you can actually easily access 30 1UPs, so you can try the levels again and again. No, seriously, all it takes is a platform of a colored gem to go up, collect the 1UPs, go down and literally step into the exit right there. With the experience of beating all the levels once - it's just a matter of training to beat them perfectly, it all comes naturally. Although there are a couple of levels where finding a secret stash of boxes is a bit too tedious: hints not so obvious or that one box off screen.
The aesthetics are delicious: green jungles, dark temples and machine factories. Typical tropical paradise with the lair of an evil mastermind. With the upbeat music, the overall presentation feels great.
As a result, it is a brutal but really satisfying game, one of my childhood favorites. It sure gave a start to a great franchise.
This is definitely a platformer of its time - you start the level, you fail a bunch of times, you master the level and then you beat it and proceed to the next one. Old school as it is.
The gameplay is simple: you run, you jump, you attack, you die A LOT. There are enemies that you can touch, there are enemies you cannot touch and there are bosses. There are solid platforms, there are flying platforms, there are falling platforms and there are pits, lots of them. This is a very basic 3D platformer with linear levels. And given the most basic tools, it delivers a satisfying experience, especially being one of the earliest 3D platformers.
The progression can feel brutal, but it is typical for that period. Like most of the games of that time, this one expects you to master it before progressing forwards. And it can be quite merciful given that even when there are limited 1UPs, there are basically unlimited continues in the form of saves and passwords. The only hard part is getting them via Bonus Levels or perfecting the level. With such leeways, you are free to try levels over and over again until you finally master them. And you can feel the growth of your skill - even with clunky jumping, you start feeling it just right and notice that after getting to the last level, you can try the first one again and it will be a breeze.
Speaking of trying again. To 100% the game, you need to beat the levels without dying while smashing all the crates. Usually you do it after reaching the last boss, and with that you can actually easily access 30 1UPs, so you can try the levels again and again. No, seriously, all it takes is a platform of a colored gem to go up, collect the 1UPs, go down and literally step into the exit right there. With the experience of beating all the levels once - it's just a matter of training to beat them perfectly, it all comes naturally. Although there are a couple of levels where finding a secret stash of boxes is a bit too tedious: hints not so obvious or that one box off screen.
The aesthetics are delicious: green jungles, dark temples and machine factories. Typical tropical paradise with the lair of an evil mastermind. With the upbeat music, the overall presentation feels great.
As a result, it is a brutal but really satisfying game, one of my childhood favorites. It sure gave a start to a great franchise.